13.00
SoftCazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4901.4
- 2m 0f 11y
- Class 4
- 16 runners
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Form: 700
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
20th Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (July and October); missed 2024 and ran over fences on both starts for new yard this year, not disgraced on first occasion but tailed off on heavy latest; has a good mark if he's straight back to his peak returned to hurdles. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
25th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 151y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Signs of retaining ability, while seeming to need the run, at Ludlow (3m) this month on stable/seasonal debut and second chase attempt; may step up on that effort; nicely handicapped on best hurdles form. |
7/1 |
|
5th 8 |
5th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Pulled up in June 2023 on sole chase start and absent since that November; however, he's on a handy mark on his best hurdle form for Peter Bowen and he's one to watch in the betting on his stable debut. |
11/1 |
Form: 93/5-0
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
14th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 165y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that. |
16/1 |
|
4 |
5th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 149y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing. |
16/1 |
Form: 3-22 BF
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time. |
7/2 |
Form: 3120-3
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
4th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Cheekpieces fitted in last three races; won at Catterick and back to form when a clear second at Haydock (2m4f, good); back up 3lb but still well handicapped on old exploits. |
2/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Evidently not the force of old but he built on an encouraging C&D reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in February; made early mistakes when a disappointing favourite at Hereford since but it's possible he'll be happier back on a left-handed course and likely he's still on a winnable mark if putting his best foot forward. |
100/30 |
|
5th 1 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 2f 208y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Evidently not the force of old but built upon an encouraging reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) a fortnight ago and has good claims here if the headgear continues to aid him. |
4/5 |
Form: 675
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
19th Nov 2025 Soft 2m 3f 83y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Inconsistent 7yo who has modest 1-21 strike-rate and needs to rebound from a heavy defeat last month; competes off career-low mark here but needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces. |
10/1 |
|
5th 11 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 135y Class 5 |
10st 4lb
|
Inconsistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) and then fell early at Ffos Las (4-1); should be in the mix. |
4/1 |
|
5 |
16th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
0-5 over fences and not very consistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last month and remains on career-low mark for this first venture beyond that trip. |
4/1 |
Form: 723- BF
Last run: 278 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
10st 13lb |
3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 185y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Bought for £220,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal prior to running well, only 2l behind Welcom To Cartries, at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on debut for new connections; this second-season chaser likely has further progress in him; sole attempt at Ascot resulted in a success in this race 12 months ago (good ground); big player back here. |
4/1 |
|
6th 7 |
11th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 5f 201y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Ridden by his owner; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); found his revised mark at Sandown (3m, heavy) a bit too much in hat-trick bid but again ran well and staying beyond 3m may be possible. |
33/1 |
Form: —
Last run: 9 days
W: 11st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 13 |
15th Jan 2024 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Has failed to complete in four of his five chases and was beaten 34l when he did complete; well out of the weights in new headgear. |
100/1 |
|
0 13 |
21st Dec 2023 Soft 2m 3f 48y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Very lightly raced 9yo but he's failed to complete in three of his four chase runs and was beaten 34l on the other; has had wind surgery but he's 5lb out of the weights here and needs a transformation after a short break. |
33/1 |
|
0 9 |
26th Oct 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Very lightly raced, with a whiff of ability but this is a tough task from 11lb out of the handicap. |
40/1 |
Form: 078
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 8 |
26th May 2023 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Bettered inauspicious handicap debut and arguably ran a fair bit better than eventual 22l defeat might suggest at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, having made a forward move from the rear on the final circuit; drops back in trip here; interesting. |
8/1 |
|
5th 9 |
13th May 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Point bumper winner but struggled in five runs under rules and pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton last month; 3lb out of the weights this time and can only be watched until he shows some positive signs. |
20/1 |
|
12 |
13th Apr 2023 Good 2m 0f 104y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Point bumper winner; poor results under rules and has pulled hard on occasions; however, he's in good hands and may be capable of better now handicapping off just 79. |
16/1 |
Form: PU-0
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
11th Jun 2024 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 3 out |
8/1 |
|
5th 8 |
16th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Could be given a chance based on his Bangor third (2m1f, soft) last October but not on any of his three subsequent starts; also has stamina to prove. |
20/1 |
|
5th 8 |
16th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
midfield, headway 10th, soon disputing fourth, weakened run-in |
20/1 |
Form: 50
Last run: 78 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 (8) |
5th May 2026 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 6 |
9st 6lb |
Four course wins, including two over this trip, and he ran his best race for a while when third over C&D four weeks ago; each-way shout. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 7 (1) |
6th Apr 2026 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 6 |
9st 2lb |
Now 10lb below his last winning mark (here, 9.5f); few positives to take from his efforts this year, beaten in excess of 9l (seventh of ten; 25-1) over 7f here latest; difficult to envisage a revival. |
16/1 |
|
7th 3 (6) |
16th Feb 2026 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Four-time course winner but has been out of form this winter; raced mainly at further and has something to prove back over 7f for the first time in five years. |
16/1 |
Form: 6/46
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
15th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 210y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Has had three wind operations and tends to go well when fresh, so might not improve markedly on his latest second at Haydock (3m4f, good) after 144 days away; still ran well though and assured stamina will come in handy. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 6 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 97y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Has had three wind operations, two of them last year; won four-runner race over C&D (good) when upped in trip last March and ran creditably on next two starts; not disgraced at Ascot in November when last seen; has a good record when returning from a break, so goes on the shortlist. |
8/1 |
|
8 |
24th Oct 2025 Good 3m 1f 0y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Won twice (3m/3m4f) during fairly light campaign last season and signed off with creditable second of 14 on New course here (3m4f, good) in April, form that was recently boosted by the winner; had another wind op (his third) during the summer; likely contender. |
7/1 |
Form: 4-963
Last run: 16 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 8 |
15th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 3 |
10st 9lb |
Had a near miss at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) but now has to bounce back from three lesser efforts; wears a first-time visor. |
20/1 |
|
7th 5 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 4f 118y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Has performed moderately the last twice but her near miss behind One Eye On Vegas at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) brings her into this; hard to be confident about her chances, though. |
25/1 |
|
5th 2 |
30th Jan 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Campaigned mostly over further (stays 2m6f); ran poorly last time, failing to back up her reappearance effort; 2-2 at Ffos Las but this drop back in trip presents a question mark. |
10/1 |
Form: 6F-
Last run: 341 days
W: 10st 9lb
7 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
21st May 2023 Good 2m 3f 98y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Safely held in all three handicap hurdles, albeit she was prominent for a long way at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) on latest outing last month; needs to improve on today's chasing debut but her Irish point second in 2021 bodes well, and she's worth a glance in the betting. |
14/1 |
|
10th 6 |
26th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Soundly beaten on all three starts for new stable this year, the last twice in handicaps (2m-2m4f); considered only if lively in the betting. |
16/1 |
|
2 |
18th Mar 2023 Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Went close in Irish point last winter; has had few chances over hurdles but effort was short-lived on handicap debut at Ffos Las 13 days ago (2m5f, good) and needs much more for the return to 2m. |
20/1 |
Form: 0-P0
Last run: 27 days
W: 10st 9lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
31st Jan 2023 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
No worthwhile form in a bumper and two hurdles; very opposable for now. |
200/1 |
Form: 4-8P
Last run: 16 days
W: 10st 9lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
28th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
took keen hold, in rear |
100/1 |
|
5th 18 |
1st Jan 2023 Soft 2m 0f 161y Class 4 |
10st 8lb |
Beaten in the region of 25l in two Chepstow bumpers, on heavy and good to soft; can only be watched for now. |
25/1 |
Form: 4
Last run: 18 days
W: 10st 3lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
9th Apr 2025 Good To Firm 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
led, jumped right 2nd, soon briefly headed, headed before 2 out, lost second 2 out, drifted left and no extra run-in |
8/1 |
Betting Forcast
66/1 Coal Fire, 100/1 Daany, Evs Etalon, 9/2 Imperial Bede, 50/1 Imperial Measure, 2/1 In DOr, 100/1 Mix Master, 40/1 Nordy Lordy, 100/1 Pencil, 50/1 Prince Ali, 20/1 Regarde, 16/1 Casts Tasha, 16/1 Iconic Rock, 100/1 Libertarian Royale, 50/1 With Poise, 50/1 Archie Macdart
Verdict
A big field but competition appears to be limited and ETALON, who has the best British form on offer, may be capable of breaking his duck at the third attempt over hurdles. Trickier to assess is the chance of In D’Or on his first start for Venetia Williams but if he transfers the ability he showed in France to this reappearance, he would be a big player. Imperial Bede looks the most interesting of the remainder.[Jonathan Doidge]