13.15
SoftSomerset ‘Challenger’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)
- Prize money: £7921.5
- 3m 0f 150y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: P44-P2
Last run: 24 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 |
27th Jan 2024 Good 2m 7f 214y Class 3 |
10st 13lb |
Bounced back quickly from a disappointing run (in cheekpieces) to open chasing account in first-time blinkers at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; not one to rely upon heavily but recent 4lb rise ought to be manageable if he responds well to a first-time visor. |
11/2 |
|
2 |
26th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 3 |
12st 2lb |
Very respectable third on seasonal/stable debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) last month but ought to have been suited by the soft ground when pulled up at Ludlow three weeks ago and today's headgear switch needs to perk him up. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /P0-81
Last run: 72 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
18th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Sprang a surprise on just his second run for this yard when coming 6l clear at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) and was running well (though wouldn't have won) when falling late on at Exeter (good); something has clicked and he could outrun his odds. |
33/1 |
|
2 |
12th Feb 2023 Good 2m 7f 25y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, ridden before 3 out, keeping on but held when fell last |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-1365 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
23rd Feb 2024 Soft 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
10yo who is having a substandard campaign, but last month's fifth at Plumpton was a step back in the right direction and he's well handicapped on last season's marathon chase form (including on soft); not ruled out. |
14/1 |
|
5th 2 |
7th Jan 2024 Soft 3m 4f 102y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Well-held fifth in this last year off 2lb higher; ended that campaign well with two seconds over 3m4f and a blind eye could be turned to this season's no-shows for one reason or another (lost his action last time). |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /711P- D BF
Last run: 337 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 7 |
27th Dec 2023 Good 3m 0f 121y Class 2 |
10st 9lb |
Had interesting times over fences, a wide-margin winner on one occasion from five attempts but pulled up three times and finished remote on the other; dropped right out on return to hurdles in November but she did run well in this race in 2020 before winning it the following year and is lower in the weights than for either of those runs; cannot ignore. |
16/1 |
|
5th 4 |
22nd Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 7f 191y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
A case of all or nothing over fences earlier in the year, a 41l success at Bangor (3m, good to soft) in March surrounded by four modest efforts; has dropped 4lb lower than when last winning over hurdles, though, and won't have a problem with the trip or likely testing ground; shortlisted. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -42232
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
27th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Not one to rely upon heavily and doesn't always look wildly enthusiastic but didn't run badly when fourth at Uttoxeter (3m heavy) last month and this track suits him well; on a good mark; can't be ruled out. |
14/1 |
|
7th 6 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 3m 1f 60y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon. |
7/1 |
|
7th 6 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 3m 1f 60y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 224-4P C
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 1lb
14 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 |
1st Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
led |
14/1 |
|
10 |
26th Dec 2022 Soft 3m 0f 150y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Front-running veteran who proved suited by the switch back to hurdling last term, including for a 2m5f win under 5lb claimer here and he also ran well here on next two outings; stamina isn't a problem and he goes well in the mud; his reappearance this time round was better than in the previous two seasons and he could have a say if that run has helped to put him right. |
11/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 41-721
Last run: 9 days
W: 11st 0lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
6th Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
pressed leader, shaken up before 4 out, weakened on turn before 3 out, soon dropped to last, pulled up home straight |
14/1 |
|
5 |
6th Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
pressed leader, shaken up before 4 out, weakened on turn before 3 out, soon dropped to last, pulled up home straight |
14/1 |
|
5th 4 |
7th Mar 2024 Heavy 3m 0f 150y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Quirky customer who often races lazily; well suited by a slog in the mud and now 11lb lower than when making all at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) 14 months ago but it's hard to predict the extent to which he'll warm to the task. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 44P-3P D
Last run: 20 days
W: 10st 13lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
19th Mar 2024 Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Veteran who is very well suited by this track and won't fail through lack of stamina; proved he retains some ability when respectable fourth at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January but was pulled up on three of his last four appearances and it's hard to predict whether he'll fancy the job today. |
12/1 |
|
6 |
17th Feb 2024 Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Now a 12yo and he's struggling to recapture his best form, with a remote fourth at Warwick no real indication that he's about to turn a corner. |
16/1 |
|
4th 7 |
22nd Jan 2024 Frozen 3m 1f 100y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
It was over hurdles that he pulled up on his comeback and this is more his game, though he also failed to complete on his final two chases of last season; has just turned 12 and might do well to get his form back. |
20/1 |
Verdict
Stellar Magic and last-time winner Lynwood Gold should offer plenty of resistance but in receipt of a stone from both BURROWS PARK (nap) is preferred. This is a quickish return from his Exeter win, for which he is unpenalised, but he didn’t have an out-and-out slog that day and has followed up off a similar short break in the past. Stellar Magic is preferred of his rivals although Bells Of Peterboro is also likely to have a say.[Emily Weber]