13.45
GoodClose Brothers Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £45560
- 1m 7f 119y
- Class 1
- 4 runners
Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
2/7 (Won)
- Win: £1.19
Form: 1121-1 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 152
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has maintained an incredibly high standard in Grade 1s over 2m but, although he has won here, his rare reverses have come on this track; no longer quite the speedster he used to be at 2m and the extra stamina test was a help when winning at Ascot (about 2m5f, good to soft) last month, where he could have settled for second had his enduring will to win not come to his aid; now defends a strike-rate of 3-3 at about this trip but it remains to be seen whether he can rise to this very big occasion. |
13/2 |
|
1st 5 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; yet to finish out of the first two; formerly dominant at shorter but has lost a bit of his speed and was aided by the stiff test over the 2m1f trip at Ascot (soft) most recently, recording a second success in the Clarence House and 11th Grade 1 win; seems to be crying out for this step back up in distance and, still high class at the age of ten, may well add to his impressive tally; 2-2 over 2m4f, both in the Melling at Aintree; cheekpieces worn in last two starts are retained. |
8/15 |
100/30
Form: 92-P11 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces. |
33/1 |
|
8th 6 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival. |
40/1 |
12/1
Form: 221P-2
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
1st May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well. |
2/5 |
|
4th 22 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out. |
4/1 |
|
1st 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level. |
5/4 |
66/1
Form: 114-57 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
31st Aug 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Some good runs in plating hurdles in the spring but soundly beaten back in handicaps on his last four starts, most recently when reverting to fences; lots to prove. |
20/1 |
|
6th 5 |
24th Jul 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Won a selling hurdle for James Owen in March but was safely held in two handicap hurdles for new stable last month (2m/2m4f) and needs to raise his game on this first chasing start since January 2024. |
25/1 |
|
7 |
29th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Last win for James Owen came in a seller and was sold on for £5,500; 66-1 and tailed off on stable debut at Worcester. |
50/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £1.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £1.58 |
| Trifecta | £1.50 |