15.00
SoftSomerset National Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £13202.5
- 3m 2f 162y
- Class 3
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: 85-P28
Last run: 21 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th May 2024 Good 3m 3f 208y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track. |
20/1 |
|
7 |
15th May 2024 Good 3m 3f 208y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track. |
20/1 |
|
10th 1 |
17th Apr 2024 Good To Soft 3m 4f 21y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Ended last year in poor form on soft/heavy ground but the drier conditions ought to suit him better here and he won't fail through lack of stamina; can be very dangerous off current mark if refreshed by 130-day break. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1P51-1 D
Last run: 67 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
1st May 2026 Good 4m 0f 218y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Former winner of Highland and Southern Nationals (good to soft), so surprising he didn't see out 3m here on January's hunter chase debut; back on track in a Siddington novice riders' point latest, additionally a first career success on good ground; safe ride (never falls) and not dismissed. |
4/1 |
|
5th 4 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Thorough stayer who was very respectable fifth of 14 in quite valuable Uttoxeter handicap (3m, good) on latest outing in May; also suited by soft ground and has big role to play if fully tuned up for hunter chase debut; blinkers removed after one use. |
11/2 |
|
5th 6 |
3rd May 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Won over hurdles after wind surgery and then ran okay to be fourth over 3m at Kempton in a race he won the previous season; there's nothing wrong with his mark and always a chance that blinkers will bring him on. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1111-P
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
27th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Six-time chase winner who returned to form with a rallying second at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month; only 1lb higher here and has claims if he can build on that back in trip. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 1 |
9th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 85y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Six-time chase winner but now appears to be on the downgrade; pulled up when bidding to win the Grimthorpe at Doncaster for the third time in February and was tailed off at Ascot (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; can only be watched at present. |
12/1 |
|
4th 1 |
29th Mar 2026 Good 2m 5f 13y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Ran no race in Doncaster's Grimthorpe last month (3m2f, soft; blinkers returned) and he had a good record in that race; did run quite well there the time before; unwise to focus too much on his reduced mark when clearly not the force of old, but he has returned to winning ways from out of the blue in the past, and he'll enjoy getting back on forecast good ground; earns respect. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /P-U54 C
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 5lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
29th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 185y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Unseated rider (still prominent) at Sandown in January when seeking a second success in the veterans final; battled his way back to pip Gabbys Cross for a Newbury win (3m2f) four weeks ago and, although 5lb rise takes him to his highest mark since 2022, this sterling character needs major respect. |
2/1 |
|
1st 7 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Unseated rider three out, having still been prominent, at Sandown last time when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; remains on the last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in good form and completes the course. |
12/1 |
|
4 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 210y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
|
Abandoned
Form: 3/1-P4 D
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 |
25th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Lightly raced 9yo; seemingly back in good form when fourth over fences here (2m7f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in December but looked badly out of sorts in a chase three weeks ago and it's hard to know what to expect from him in first-time blinkers on this return to hurdling. |
16/1 |
|
6 |
2nd Feb 2023 Good To Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Returned from a long absence in November and has made costly mistakes on both comeback runs; however, there was some promise in his fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last time and he has obvious potential to improve on that form if jumping better; could go well for top yard. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 115-5P
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
15th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
On a career-low mark but very evident that he's not the force of old and the return of cheekpieces did nothing last time; perhaps blinkers will help, as they did aboard the stable's Cheltenham winner Martator. |
20/1 |
|
6 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Lightly raced in recent years and patently not the force of old but ran well for a long way in Exeter marathon (3m6f, soft) in December and competes off another career-low mark here; cheekpieces (worn regularly in France in 2019) are given another go; not ruled out. |
8/1 |
|
4th 5 |
26th May 2025 Good 3m 5f 80y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Won novice handicap chases at Hereford (3m1f, soft) and Newbury (2m7f, soft) in 2022 but hasn't won since, although a couple of fair efforts, including over 3m4f last term; on a good mark and could go well. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5R8PPP C
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
14th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Completed a hat-trick at around 3m in February/March 2025 but not seen again until refusing to race when a 20-1 shot at Kelso 24 days ago; can only watch after that. |
12/1 |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 96y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
In excellent form in February/March 2025, winning three in a row at around 3m (good to soft/good), but has fitness to prove after 393-day absence and will need to hit the ground running to have any chance off current mark. |
15/2 |
|
1st 4 |
23rd Mar 2025 Good 3m 0f 110y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
in touch with leaders |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 12-272
Last run: 29 days
W: 10st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 13 |
28th Apr 2023 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
Respectable minor honours in three of his first four starts this season but well beaten next time and jumping proved his undoing on latest; now switches back from chasing to his first hurdle run since last April; 7lb lower than his chase mark and also wears headgear for the first time. |
12/1 |
|
6 |
9th Mar 2023 Good 3m 1f 30y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
didn't jump well, held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 11th |
6/1 |
|
6th 2 |
21st Feb 2023 Good 2m 7f 3y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 11th, ridden after 5 out, mistake 4 out, made no impression |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P7P-23 C BF
Last run: 75 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 9 |
19th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
He's tumbled down the weights but for good reason, having been pulled up on his last four starts; the return to hurdles and the first-time tongue-tie need to have a dramatically positive effect; blinkers left off. |
25/1 |
|
13th 9 |
19th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
He's tumbled down the weights but for good reason, having been pulled up on his last four starts; the return to hurdles and the first-time tongue-tie need to have a dramatically positive effect; blinkers left off. |
25/1 |
|
6 |
5th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 2f 162y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 10th, lost position 14th, struggling 5 out, pulled up before 4 out |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2657P3
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 5 |
12st 2lb |
Teenager who has gone over two years since his latest win and has been out of form this season (three runs); revival needed. |
50/1 |
|
5 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
12st 2lb |
Won this race in 2024 (soft ground) but never really got going last season and was very disappointing favourite in a point last month, after a layoff; now a teenager and needs to prove he still has what it takes. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 636P4P
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 2lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
3rd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
13yo who has inconsistent recent form but was successful (off 1lb lower) in December on most recent Southwell start; not ruled out. |
13/2 |
|
4th 4 |
13th Feb 2025 Soft 1m 7f 201y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Multiple chase winner who made it three for the year at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December; hasn't run to the same level since, a recent second at Huntingdon being a remote one, and others further up the list. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
2nd Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 104y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Veteran who had a clearcut win at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December from Extraordinary Man, his 11th chase win; not so good at Hereford or Warwick (on Tuesday) since, however. |
6/1 |
Verdict
Very little went to plan for SOUTHFIELD HARVEST on his seasonal debut in November but he steadied the ship with an encouraging run at Chepstow last month and might well kick on again here. Paul Nicholls’ 9yo is lightly raced for his age and remains unexposed both as a chaser and over marathon trips. Slipway, who the Southern National at Fontwell on his latest outing, is second choice, ahead of Coeur Serein.[Chris Wilson]