16.10
SoftCazoo Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £4330.42
- 2m 3f 100y
- Class 5
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Form: 443
Last run: 153 days
W: 12st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 10 |
5th Mar 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Kept on for modest third on handicap hurdle debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer and, following a break, was not disgraced when last of four behind useful rivals in Exeter novice chase (3m, good to soft) last month; has much better chance at the weights in this handicap chase and remains unexposed; interesting. |
11/1 |
|
4th 3 |
1st Feb 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 5 out, headway before 4 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out |
50/1 |
Form: 20335-
Last run: 378 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
13th Apr 2023 Good 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
pressed leaders early, prominent from 3rd, pushed along after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out |
50/1 |
|
2 |
5th Mar 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 191y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Placed in two 2m3f Hereford novice hurdles (both on good) in late 2021; however, safely held on handicap debut last January and soon under pressure when pulled up at Fontwell (2m6f) when next seen five weeks ago; wore cheekpieces last five starts but now has tongue-tie and blinkers. |
50/1 |
|
5 |
29th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
raced lazily, prominent, lost ground after 3rd, towards rear 6th, struggling and reminder with one circuit to go |
25/1 |
Form: -FP87P
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 |
14th Feb 2024 Good To Soft 3m 1f 44y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Ran quite well from the front when fourth at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in December but this regressive 8yo is yet to add to his maiden hurdle win in spring 2021 and is not the percentage call; 1lb out of the handicap. |
12/1 |
|
4th 9 |
30th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Now 13lb lower than when placed in good-ground hurdle in the spring but was soundly beaten in two chases this autumn (2m7f/3m1f) and has a lot more to prove than some of these. |
20/1 |
Form: 594P
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 10 |
11th Sep 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 4 |
10st 12lb |
Dual point winner and was a close third in a Worcester handicap chase on stable debut in June (2m7f, good); a 9yo but with low mileage on the clock. |
4/1 |
|
3 |
25th Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Well-beaten favourite in a Cartmel maiden hunter chase last month (2m5f) but it is no certainty that's his preferred track type considering his point win in March (form franked repeatedly) came around Charm Park's fairer, more galloping line; rare runner here for Ruth Jefferson. |
7/1 |
Form: 152P6/ CD
Last run: 679 days
W: 11st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
21st Mar 2023 Soft 3m 0f 26y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Dropping down the weights and he's one to watch in the betting, but he was pulled up twice last month following a long absence. |
20/1 |
|
10 |
27th Feb 2023 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
prominent |
14/1 |
|
11 |
2nd Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 179y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Won handicap debut in this sphere off this mark at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, heavy) in November 2020 but not quite so good afterwards; unraced since out of form in two Flat starts in 2021, so there are questions to answer. |
20/1 |
Form: 40-765 CD
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
22nd Apr 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 5y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Below best over hurdles this season and has made inauspicious start to chasing career this spring; seems versatile regarding ground but is yet to convince stamina-wise over 3m; not the percentage call. |
10/1 |
|
4 |
8th Apr 2023 Heavy 2m 4f 216y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Both hurdle wins gained on soft; not at his best this season and finished some way behind Kap Chidley when both made their chasing debuts at Chepstow last month; work to do, therefore. |
7/1 |
|
5th 10 |
19th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Won a soft-ground handicap hurdle here 13 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; hasn't found his best form this season though and now tried his hand over fences. |
16/1 |
Form: 1-0P3P D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
25th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 83y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Downed an odds-on favourite when recording 33-1 win at Chepstow (2m Class 5 conditionals' handicap hurdle; soft) two starts ago but weakened tamely in a Stratford seller subsequently; has won over fences in the past, including here (2m), but couldn't be a confident choice. |
11/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
1st Apr 2023 Soft 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
prominent, led narrowly 4th, pushed along home turn, ridden and headed approaching last, soon weakened |
13/2 |
|
1st 6 |
23rd Mar 2023 Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Placed in modest Ludlow claimer (2m, good to soft) in first-time visor in November but ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when pulled up in a handicap next time and has become very unreliable. |
25/1 |
Form: 49690
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
17th Jul 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Back with previous trainer for whom he made his debut in a bumper; won a C&D handicap two years ago for Robbie Llewellyn but signed off for that yard in modest form; bit risky. |
9/1 |
|
7th 15 |
31st May 2025 Good 2m 6f 7y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed. |
25/1 |
|
7th 15 |
31st May 2025 Good 2m 6f 7y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed. |
25/1 |
Form: -90931
Last run: 7 days
W: 10st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
8th May 2023 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Chancing his arm at 3m2f didn't come off last month but previously in fine form this year, winning first four starts at about 2m5f (heavy and good to soft) then running at least as well in defeat at Chepstow in March; should go well again if latest run hasn't taken the sting out of him. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 4 |
8th Apr 2023 Heavy 3m 2f 105y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
prominent in chasing group |
11/4 |
|
2nd 3 |
23rd Mar 2023 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
midfield |
9/4 |
Form: /69P-0
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
9th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Disappointing over fences for Deborah Faulkner last season and struggled when reappearing for new stable last month; reverts to hurdling with huge amount to prove and is 2lb out of the weights. |
66/1 |
|
8th 11 |
1st Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
always behind, struggling before 4 out |
40/1 |
Form: 84-265
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 14 |
9th May 2023 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Has run with credit since beating 16 rivals at Doncaster (2m1f, good) in January; just 2lb higher than for that win, but he is fairly well exposed now and vulnerable to an improver. |
8/1 |
|
4th 5 |
1st Apr 2023 Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
in touch with leaders, nudged along 5th, dropped to rear and pushed along 6th |
11/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
12th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
His form has been up and down and he was a soundly beaten third at Doncaster (2m, good) last month; however, prior to that he won a big-field handicap over that C&D (good) and was runner-up on soft ground earlier in the season; capable of a bold show if at his best. |
7/1 |
Form: P0700- D
Last run: 299 days
W: 10st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 12 |
22nd Dec 2023 Heavy 2m 3f 207y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
Needs to bounce back from disappointing run 26 days ago but bumped into progressive rival when clear second of 17 on last month's seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy; well backed), and is a major player if judged on that performance. |
7/1 |
|
0 12 |
26th Nov 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
0-10 in Britain and is more exposed than some of these rivals; however, showed positive signs at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy; clear second) on seasonal debut and holds a fighting chance if able to build on that effort. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 15 |
8th Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
pressed leader, led 4th, increased tempo going easily before 3 out |
20/1 |
Form: 24-858
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 10 |
28th Jun 2024 Good 3m 0f 30y Class 4 |
10st 10lb |
Three-time chase winner (including C&D), but he's been well held over fences and hurdles in last three runs; made a mistake at a crucial stage at Southwell last time but he needs to get right back near his best on this return to fences. |
8/1 |
|
8th 10 |
11th Jun 2024 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
held up in rear |
13/2 |
|
4th 8 |
28th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Three chase wins last season, the latest gained at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in November; has 6lb lower hurdle mark but remains without a win in this discipline after 17 attempts and tends to need his first run back from a break (absent since December); others make more appeal. |
6/1 |
Form: 58P7
Last run: 40 days
W: 10st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 72
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
31st Jan 2023 Soft 2m 5f 192y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
No immediate progress for the switch to handicaps at Taunton before Christmas (3m, good; first-time blinkers, retained); up against it. |
50/1 |
|
7th 10 |
8th Dec 2022 Good 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Three heavy defeats include one in a seller; blinkers applied for his handicap debut and has to rate as an unlikely winner. |
25/1 |
Form: 4463-P
Last run: 15 days
W: 10st 2lb
10 yo Mare
OR: 71
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
1st Apr 2023 Soft 2m 6f 7y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last |
20/1 |
|
6th 10 |
18th Mar 2023 Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Plumpton winner three years ago who has been given a chance by the handicapper and although pulled up on return from a layoff in January the return to shorter will suit; not discarded despite being out of the weights. |
16/1 |
Betting Forcast
16/1 Mr Craftsman, 16/1 Mojito Royale, 100/1 Barrowmount, 33/1 Carriglux, 10/1 Darksideoftarnside, 5/1 After The Fox, 20/1 Ring The Moon, 14/1 Bensini, 11/10 Barrier Peaks, 100/1 Gala Des Lys, 4/1 Half The Freedom, 33/1 Portentoso, 33/1 Justshortofabubble, 100/1 Octavius Sabini, 25/1 Amlovi
Verdict
Alternatives to last week’s emphatic Exeter scorer Barrier Peaks (next best) are few, but conditions are likely to bear comparison to those of AFTER THE FOX’s success off 2lb higher in one division of this contest last term, and he can be given another chance to for a yard that’s started 2023 well, especially if taking to the headgear. Darksideoftarnside, off the mark of his autumn 2020 score, and the back up in trip Half The Freedom, complete the shortlist. [Jeremy Grayson]
Selections
RP Ratings:
Barrier PeaksSPOTLIGHT:
After The FoxDaily Mirror:
Mr CraftsmanWEST COUNTRY:
Barrier PeaksThe Times:
Barrier PeaksTelegraph:
Barrier PeaksThe Guardian:
Barrier PeaksDaily Mail:
Barrier PeaksPOSTDATA:
After The Fox