13.25
SoftG C Rickards Ltd Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4901.4
- 1m 7f 169y
- Class 4
- 16 runners
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Snow showers
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 (8) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 3 |
9st 8lb |
Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help. |
14/1 |
|
4 |
1st Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 5y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark. |
7/2 |
|
6th 9 (1) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 6f 115y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
27th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 31y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
In a consistent run of form when last seen in November, mostly hooded but also in just a tongue-tie last time; this mark is very manageable but he does lack a recent run. |
13/2 |
|
1 |
30th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Has been in fine fettle since joining current yard in the summer with four wins in handicaps; incurs 12lb penalty here partially offset by Luke Scott's 3lb claim; should be hard to beat at this level. |
Evs |
|
1 |
30th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Has been in fine fettle since joining current yard in the summer with four wins in handicaps; incurs 12lb penalty here partially offset by Luke Scott's 3lb claim; should be hard to beat at this level. |
Evs |
Abandoned
Form: 45
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
2nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 3f 31y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Point runner-up who won a novice hurdle here (2m3f, good) in March 2023; however, he struggled on his two chase starts in late 2023 and it's been the same story over hurdles this winter, following an absence. |
14/1 |
|
7 |
12th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Well beaten in two chases in his only races last season and no show when he reverted to hurdling last month after a 406-day absence; hard to latch on to unless he's been strong in the market. |
25/1 |
|
5 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
always behind |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 18 D
Last run: 84 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
9th May 2023 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Worcester bumper winner (2m, good to soft) winner a year ago who has finished well behind the winner in three starts over hurdles, but he wasn't disgraced when third of 11 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) last time (winner has gone in again since); pedigree suggests he should relish this longer trip on handicap debut and high on the list. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
27th Mar 2023 Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Won a Worcester bumper last May but has been easy to back both times over hurdles and hasn't shown much at all; disappointing if he can't raise his game at some stage, but best watched for now. |
10/1 |
|
13th 10 |
27th Jan 2023 Good 2m 0f 128y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Out of a 2m4f-3m1f hurdle winner; justified favouritism in a Worcester bumper (2m, good to soft) on debut last May but was a weak 12-1 shot for a maiden hurdle there (2m4f, soft) in October and he finished tailed-off eighth of 12; returns from another break and has some questions to answer. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 694
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
21st May 2025 Good 2m 5f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Bounced back to form with hard-fought win at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November but was pulled up when reappearing over 3m1f in February and has been off for another three months since; not an easy one to predict. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
21st May 2025 Good 2m 5f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Bounced back to form with hard-fought win at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November but was pulled up when reappearing over 3m1f in February and has been off for another three months since; not an easy one to predict. |
9/1 |
|
2 |
20th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 10y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Hurdles winner here in 2023; well held in two chases this autumn but reverted to hurdling with a win at Southwell (2m4f) in November, travelling best before asserting close home; off since and 6lb higher today, and he's unraced beyond 2m5f under rules, but keeping away from soft ground is seemingly a help. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7
Last run: 62 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
21st Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 53y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on. |
11/1 |
|
5th 6 |
21st Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 53y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on. |
11/1 |
|
6th 1 |
16th Nov 2024 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
led, headed when bit short of room on turn after 6th, lost position before 2 out, weakened approaching last |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 97y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 10 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 1y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently. |
15/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P
Last run: 84 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
20th Mar 2023 Good To Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
always towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and became detached before 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out |
100/1 |
|
4 |
22nd Feb 2023 Good 2m 0f 128y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
took keen hold, held up in last, mistake 2nd |
200/1 |
|
14th 13 |
27th Jan 2023 Good 2m 0f 128y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Runner-up in his second point (3m, good) last April but he was pulled up at a massive price on hurdling debut at Worcester (2m4f, soft) in October; has had wind surgery since and now drops to 2m after another break. |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 563
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
8th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 5y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Returned to form with creditable second at Southwell (2m4f) last time but looks unlikely to go one better; the 10yo faces a difficult task against several younger rivals who are open to further improvement. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 88y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
All wins have been on good ground, latest at Worcester in May (2m7f); below-par two runs since and bit to prove at present. |
11/1 |
|
2 |
19th Nov 2025 Soft 3m 1f 5y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Burst back to life with 15l win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May; absent since and up 11lb, which puts him on clear career-high mark at the age of nine; also has a slight query on this forecast soft ground but Harry Skelton retains the ride; should be in the mix if ready to go. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 9
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
24th May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 210y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Dual hurdle winner on slow ground; safely held on chasing debut in November and well beaten when back over hurdles in February; back from another three-month break with cheekpieces refitted; others have much less to prove. |
8/1 |
|
6th 5 |
20th Feb 2026 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Mark and ground both fine, but have to hope confidence hasn't been dented by being brought down two starts back and enduring a rough race on November's chasing debut; unraced over this short since autumn 2024. |
7/1 |
|
6 |
3rd May 2025 Good 2m 7f 63y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Won at Fontwell (3m2f, heavy) last spring and was also narrowly successful at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in November; should appreciate the return to this sort of trip and a new headgear combination is given a go but he could do with rain. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 8 |
13th Nov 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 1y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
No serious involvement in four hurdles, most recently pulled up on handicap debut at Stratford in September (2m2f, good; out of the weights); runs off correct mark today but plenty more needed. |
50/1 |
|
0 8 |
9th Sep 2023 Good 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Showed no significant promise at triple-digit odds in three 2m novice hurdles during the winter; 9lb wrong for today's handicap debut and could be considered only if much stronger in the betting this time. |
20/1 |
|
6th 6 |
22nd Feb 2023 Good 2m 0f 128y Class 4 |
10st 9lb |
always towards rear, mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out (usual 4 out) |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 26
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Dual hurdle winner last season (2m7f/3m) and returned from ten-month break with two good efforts in February, latterly when second to Felicie Du Maquis at Ludlow (3m, soft); will probably be in the shake-up again. |
5/1 |
|
2 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
never going well, in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up |
5/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
27th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 174y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Very solid campaign last season, winning twice (2m7f/3m, good to soft/soft), and she was a fair fourth in a tough handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) on this month's belated reappearance; drops back down in grade today and could play a leading role. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 70
Last run: 105 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
16th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
Ten-race maiden with a basement handicap mark and she's outclassed back in a maiden. |
100/1 |
|
7th 8 |
8th Mar 2025 Good 2m 0f 53y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Nine-race maiden who was pulled up when upped to 3m2f and fitted with cheekpieces (now removed) for latest run a fortnight ago; drops back to 2m here; can't be recommended. |
33/1 |
|
11 |
21st Feb 2025 Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
always behind, hit 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 8th |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-
Last run: 275 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 13 |
24th Oct 2023 Good 2m 0f 53y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
in rear, lost action and pulled up after 1st |
16/1 |
|
2nd 10 |
6th Mar 2023 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
10st 7lb |
midfield |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
27th Jan 2023 Frozen 1m 7f 171y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
held up in rear, bad mistake 2nd |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 11 |
9th Mar 2026 Good 2m 3f 1y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
On a lengthy losing sequence and she has been pulled up in handicap chases at Wincanton (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) either side of Christmas; reverts to hurdles with lots to prove. |
25/1 |
|
12 |
15th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Regressive mare who was pulled up when returned to fences and tried in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month; drops back in trip with tongue-tie added here; 7lb out of the weights. |
33/1 |
Verdict
Those who have raced over hurdles set a modest standard and the useful Flat performer ARQOOB is taken to make a winning jumps debut. The Dan Skelton-trained newcomer Stellar One is second choice. Haydock fourth Playtogetaway is next on the list, while New Beginnings and Some Scope could be much better than they showed on their hurdle debuts.[Ben Hutton]