13.00
Softstarsports.bet Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4752.9
- 2m 2f 140y
- Class 4
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 (4) |
3rd Jul 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
10st 4lb |
Gained most recent win last August; below par in the latest of his two starts this term but is interesting on historical data, having defied a 2lb higher mark at Sandown on Eclipse day four years ago; drops in class. |
7/1 |
|
6th 2 (1) |
13th Jun 2026 Good 1m 3f 188y Class 3 |
10st 9lb |
Two wins last year (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good to firm) and reappeared with close fifth of eight at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; Brodie Hampson is a positive booking; could build on that latest effort provided the reapplied cheekpieces aren't a negative (pulled up over hurdles when worn once previously). |
11/2 |
|
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 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 8 (5) |
15th Oct 2023 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
prominent, led narrowly 2f out, soon ridden and faced challenge, kept on well inside final furlong |
10/1 |
|
5th 2 |
3rd Oct 2023 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Fairly useful Flat stayer who opened hurdling account in Worcester maiden (2m, good; first-time hood) in June; safely held when upped to 2m4f for handicap debut there in August, though, and needs subsequent wind op to have made a difference. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 11 (13) |
31st Mar 2023 Standard 2m 0f 102y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders |
50/1 |
|
6th 3 (4) |
4th Mar 2023 Standard 1m 4f 0y Class 6 |
9st 3lb |
It's been a struggle for current yard and although this exposed maiden may appreciate the return to the Flat, he can't be recommended. |
50/1 |
|
11th 1 |
27th Feb 2023 Good 1m 7f 195y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, shaken up and lost ground from 6th, soon got behind and beaten |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (4) |
9th Aug 2023 Good To Soft 2m 1f 27y Class 4 |
10st 1lb |
Comes alive at Pontefract and was gaining his fifth course win from seven goes when gamely scoring over 1m4f in June; not disgraced at Haydock last time; stays 2m and will probably see out this slightly longer distance; seems equally effective on good to firm and good to soft; solid contender. |
100/30 |
|
5th 6 (7) |
21st Jul 2023 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 0lb |
Took Pontefract record to 5-7 (4-6 over 1m4f) ten days ago, as with the other wins gained on quicker ground than awaits here; penalty which obliges him to race off his highest ever mark is more of a concern. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 13-0
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
12th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
No win for three years but, in all fairness, he hasn't seen a massive amount of action, and he's handily weighted from this 6lb lower mark; bumped into the thriving Ice Jet at Worcester (2m4f; runner-up, beaten over 1l) latest, and a repeat of that should see him on the premises. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 798
Last run: 10 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Apr 2023 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Displayed first glimmer of promise over hurdles when plugging on for modest fourth in 2m Southwell maiden in January; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap debut but is with a top stable and can't be ignored. |
7/1 |
|
4th 5 |
29th Jan 2023 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Uncompetitive in a bumper and two hurdles; looks the stable's third string. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0P
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 95y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in February and reverts to hurdling after two respectable chase runs this spring; probably won't be far away but overall strike-rate now stands at 0-18 and others in this line-up appeal more. |
10/1 |
|
4 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 95y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in February and reverts to hurdling after two respectable chase runs this spring; probably won't be far away but overall strike-rate now stands at 0-18 and others in this line-up appeal more. |
10/1 |
|
4th 6 |
7th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 210y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Maiden hurdler; beaten about 10l and 14l in his two chases, latterly a never-dangerous third at Huntingdon when behind Getupearly; opposable. |
11/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 321-32
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
15th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
It's been a struggle in some competitive handicaps but he ran well enough here at the National meeting (behind Ike Sport) to merit some attention; others still preferred. |
16/1 |
|
11th 2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
Landed a notable handicap at Chepstow (2m3f, good; off just 1lb lower) in the autumn; not in anything like the same form since, always behind at the Cheltenham Festival (2m5f) most recently; other preferred. |
66/1 |
|
19th 17 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
10st 13lb |
Landed a notable prize at Chepstow (near 2m4f, good; 3lb higher today) in October but failed to show his form in his three starts since; Sean Bowen rides him for the first time since Chepstow; he'd still be a surprise winner. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 32-03
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 37y Class 3 |
12st 5lb |
9yo who is lightly raced for his age and made it four wins from his last five starts, and 2-3 over fences, when scoring at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in November; has a progressive profile and could play another leading role. |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 12 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground. |
20/1 |
|
7th 5 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Made much of the running when winning in dominant style at Aintree (2m4f, soft) in December; beaten when falling late on in the Welsh National three weeks later, lack of stamina a possible factor; back to a more suitable trip here but now off a career-high mark and others appeal more. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 986
Last run: 40 days
W: 10st 12lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
10th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Two good runs this winter, winning a novice handicap chase at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft; 8lb higher today) on second occasion; however, she made a bad mistake when tailed-off favourite next time and bled from the nose when pulled up on latest, so there are very mixed messages. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
10th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Two good runs this winter, winning a novice handicap chase at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft; 8lb higher today) on second occasion; however, she made a bad mistake when tailed-off favourite next time and bled from the nose when pulled up on latest, so there are very mixed messages. |
8/1 |
|
4 |
25th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 145y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 9th |
4/1 |
Verdict
Having finished a solid second on both starts, UNCLE BERT looks capable of going one better. Rambo T (second choice) and Roccovango are the chief threats on hurdles form.[Steve Boow]