13.45
SoftPaddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £49579.83
- 2m 0f 0y
- 6 runners
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Runners: 6 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
4/9 (Won)
- Win: £1.20
- Place: £1.10
Form: 1111-1 C
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
14th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 168y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Has raced only at 2m-2m1f; versatile ground-wise; an exciting horse early in career and has performed well in both Cheltenham Festival attempts, winning the Champion Bumper in 2022 then runner-up in the Supreme last year; beaten twice since scoring on debut over fences but wasn't disgraced in the Irish Arkle latest; may take his form to the next level over this new trip, being out of Quevega who won the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle at this meeting six times; very interesting with that in mind. |
15/8 |
|
3rd 1 |
3rd Feb 2024 Soft 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
soon raced in second, joined leader after 3 out, challenging when carried left before last, not fluent and pecked on landing last, soon lost second and ridden, no match for first two |
9/2 |
|
4th 1 |
26th Dec 2023 Yielding 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Top bumper horse two seasons ago, winning all four starts, including Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Punchestown; won three of his five starts over hurdles last season, and second in the Supreme Novices'; had an excuse at this venue in February; gradually warmed to his task on his chasing debut at Navan; room for improvement in his jumping; hard to oppose. |
2/7 |
13/2
- Place: £2.80
Form: 2354-1 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 98y |
11st 12lb |
Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance. |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; small in stature but big in talent and his record of 7-10 over fences features five Grade 1 wins, the most recent impressively in this season's Tingle Creek at Sandown; not bombproof in this scenario as he's 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival (finishing positions 553) and was let down by his jumping in the 2024 Arkle, admittedly posting a good placed effort in the circumstances; possible denting of confidence is another concern as he was winded and took a while to get up from a late fall in the Clarence House most recently (under pressure and not responding when the tumble occurred); removal of usual hood adds to the uncertainty; otherwise a huge player provided he's in top form. |
4/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 172y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Hugely likeable chaser who made it 7-9 over fences when slamming Jonbon by 9l in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft; fine on softer) six weeks ago; that represented another personal best and he's the clear pick on the ratings; has excellent credentials. |
8/15 |
10/1
Form: 241-13 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Steadily progressive mare before pulling up behind Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; goes on any ground and will be in the mix for minor honours. |
16/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Steadily progressive mare before pulling up behind Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; goes on any ground and will be in the mix for minor honours. |
16/1 |
|
1 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
took keen hold, led |
11/2 |
16/1
Form: 1-1P D
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 7 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 6lb |
Only one win from 21 starts over fences, placed seven times; a long way below his best at Cork last time and well held by third-placed Sky Lord. |
25/1 |
|
5th 1 |
6th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Useful although hard to win with and soundly beaten lately, but the handicappper is relenting; one of three runners for in-form yard |
12/1 |
|
9th 1 |
7th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Useful chaser at his best, but hard to win with; record of 1-19 in chases is off-putting, placed seven times; tailed off in a strong handicap at Fairyhouse in January (2m1f, yielding); out of his depth along with Drumgill in a Grade 3 contest at Naas 13 days ago. |
10/1 |
9/1
Form: 1-1 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
21st Jan 2023 Soft To Heavy 1m 7f 170y |
11st 9lb |
AQPS winner over an extended 1m3f on very soft ground in the French provinces in November 2021; justified favouritism hurdles debut in a Punchestown maiden that has worked out quite well; drops in class now after a tame effort in a Grade 1 Leopardstown event dominated by this three shorter-priced stablemates; may turn the tables on Path D'Oroux. |
9/4 |
|
5th 3 |
27th Dec 2022 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
prominent, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and lost ground before 2 out, weakened quickly home turn |
9/1 |
|
1st 5 |
29th Nov 2022 Yielding 2m 0f 57y |
11st 12lb |
travelled strongly, prominent, briefly disputed lead after 3rd, led after 4th, ridden when briefly headed before last, rallied when led again run-in, stayed on |
5/2 |
16/1
Form: 14-211 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 5 |
20th Jan 2024 Frozen 2m 4f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Won back-to-back over hurdles last season but has really struggled since and shown nothing in two runs for this yard. |
33/1 |
|
10th 5 |
27th Dec 2023 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
10st 13lb |
in rear, mistake 1st |
33/1 |
|
10th 2 |
17th Dec 2023 Soft To Heavy 2m 4f 0y |
11st 6lb |
towards rear |
50/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €2.80 |
| Straight Forecast | €3.64 |
| Trifecta | €5.90 |
Selections
The Irish Sun:
Facile Vega