15.55
SoftFull Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £3960.75
- 2m 5f 56y
- Class 4
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
8/1 (Won)
- Win: £7.50
- Place: £2.50
Form: 31-6 BF
Last run: 96 days
W: 10st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 11 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 104y |
10st 10lb |
Half-brother to top-class Protektorat; surprise withdrawal from last weekend's bet365 Gold Cup due to ground, having made notable progress before that on similar good ground in 3m Ascot handicaps, winning twice including latest in premier handicap in February; potentially a big player. |
10/1 |
15/2
- Place: £1.80
Form: 225351 C
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
27th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 57y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today. |
20/1 |
|
3 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost. |
10/1 |
12/1
- Place: £2.90
Form: 34952
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 3lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 21 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
10st 8lb |
Maiden hurdle winner built on previous chasing promise with a 2l win at Kelso in February (2m5f, good to soft) in a four-runner field; this is a different challenge altogether and needs to improve again in first-time cheekpieces. |
16/1 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 133y Class 3 |
10st 10lb |
Ayr maiden hurdle winner (2m4f; made much of running) last winter; shaped well over the extended 2m7f here on his first two starts this season and he wasn't disgraced over 3m at Down Royal last time; this drop in distance should suit him and he could be ready to strike. |
9/4 |
7/2
Form: 62-381 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 9lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
31st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 110y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Heavy defeats switched to chasing this term, with tongue tied last time and cheekpieces added today; that equipment hints at risks but his two runs over hurdles leading into that (about 2m4f in the mud) read pretty well, so he's given a second look on his return to this discipline. |
9/1 |
|
2 |
31st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 110y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, weakened after 3 out, pulled up 2 out |
9/1 |
|
6th 7 |
19th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 110y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Came good over hurdles for Anthony Charlton at Newbury (2m4f, heavy) in March and also ran well for new stable later that month, but dropped out very tamely on chasing debut in October and needs first-time tongue-tie to aid his finishing effort here. |
20/1 |
9/2
Form: -6861F
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
28th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 5f 56y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Bumper winner who won at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last month on his third hurdle start and was narrowly in front from Magical King (who was receiving 7lb) when falling at the final flight here (2m3f, soft) last time; this 5yo front-runner brings potential to his handicap debut and could go well. |
9/2 |
|
2 |
29th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 3f 154y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Won Warwick bumper on debut last March and improved upon his first two hurdle runs when winning at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) four weeks ago; carries a penalty today and could do with jumping better, but the first-time cheekpieces could help in that regard and his latest form reads well; key player. |
15/8 |
|
1st 8 |
1st Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Won soft-ground Warwick bumper by 9l on debut last March and was very respectable sixth of 15 at Cheltenham (good to soft) in October; began hurdling career with two low-key runs towards end of last year, but was only beaten about 18l when sixth of 18 at Newbury (2m, soft) on latter occasion; still has potential. |
8/1 |
7/1
Form: -13448 D
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
1st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
raced in second, lost position before 2 out |
8/1 |
|
8th 9 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
Ran well on first four starts last season, latterly over an extended 2m7f, and she was back to that peak form when winning in clearcut style at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) six weeks ago under claimer Chad Bament; respected even though she's up 5lb and may well need a career best. |
6/1 |
4/1
Form: -13523
Last run: 40 days
W: 12st 1lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
30th May 2026 Good To Firm 3m 3f 119y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
Both wins over fences came in March 2025; his season never took off last term and he arrives here on a career-low mark (11lb below last win); first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces; needs to show more. |
8/1 |
|
8 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 97y Class 3 |
11st 1lb |
He's now 13lb below his peak mark but hasn't been at his best this season and didn't show much when back on good ground (3m) three weeks ago; won over 3m7f last March but there may be more solid options. |
14/1 |
|
8th 5 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
He hasn't been at his best this season but he didn't run badly in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Sandown (3m, soft) recently and could build on that now back on better ground, with last season's two wins coming on good/good to firm; now 6lb below last winning mark; interesting. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: 3C-26P
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
16th Oct 2025 Good 2m 1f 33y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Won this last year (soft) on his reappearance and ran well in the main subsequently, finishing fourth here in March when last seen (2m3f, good to soft); can have a big say if handling conditions (unraced on good ground). |
9/2 |
|
4th 4 |
9th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 61y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Won over 2m1f here on his reappearance and that was off only 3lb lower; held his form after that but the wheels came off at Haydock last time; possibilities if back on song. |
10/1 |
|
10th 5 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 2m 5f 50y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
in touch with leaders on inner, weakened 3 out |
12/1 |
14/1
Form: 3444
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
0-7 but signed off over hurdles with a second of 15 here in October (2m3f, soft) when fitted with a hood that was retained when again making the frame on chase debut at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft); beaten a shade over 10l in the latter but he made up his ground quickly before weakening and the run can be upgraded; headgear left off here but perhaps it's unwise to read much into that. |
5/2 |
|
4 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
0-7 but signed off over hurdles with a second of 15 here in October (2m3f, soft) when fitted with a hood that was retained when again making the frame on chase debut at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft); beaten a shade over 10l in the latter but he made up his ground quickly before weakening and the run can be upgraded; headgear left off here but perhaps it's unwise to read much into that. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 2 |
20th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 100y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Can be keen and that was again the case when hooded at Chepstow in October (2m3f, soft) but still ran well to be second in that handicap hurdle; retains potential and fences could be the making of him. |
4/1 |
33/1
Form: 53264
Last run: 34 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
11th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 19y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Made it 12th-time lucky over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft; from 2lb lower) three starts back; excuses since - fell, and then out of depth in a valuable Class 2 Series Final at Carlisle; could bounce back with Danny McMenamin returning to the saddle. |
11/4 |
|
10th 12 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Mid-race faller last weekend when bidding for a Newcastle double (maiden under rules previously); ran respectably over C&D in February; 4lb out of weights but could go well with a clear round. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Point winner; won his first race under rules here last time (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for third time); seems equally effective at this trip and should go well off this 3lb higher mark. |
7/2 |
10/1
Form: 32-114 D
Last run: 145 days
W: 11st 13lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
Another in this field who took in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, finishing a good fifth of 24 to Supremely West; should be competitive again but nothing in his record suggests he has enough in hand to win a race as hot as this. |
25/1 |
|
5th 23 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 4lb |
Never-dangerous tenth in this race last year; ran creditably on three of his four starts this season, second in the Musselburgh qualifier last time, but he's an exposed 8yo who needs to show something new. |
50/1 |
Non-runners
Ilikedwayurthinkin
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £31.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £30.42 |
| Tricast | £209.67 |
| Trifecta | £248.90 |