14.30
SoftNFUM & NFU Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £13202.5
- 2m 3f 1y
- Class 2
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: F/33P- D
Last run: 287 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 |
24th Mar 2024 Good 2m 5f 141y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Soundly beaten on all three starts this season but showed some spark at Newbury two starts ago, when failing to see out 3m, and he's 7lb lower than when second in this race last year (good to soft); not written off. |
12/1 |
|
4th 2 |
24th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Seemingly boosted by addition of cheekpieces when placed twice last spring (2m5f/2m7f) but, following a break, was below par on both outings towards end of last year; arguably ran better than eventual 19l defeat suggests at Newbury (3m, good to soft) on latter occasion but others appeal more all the same. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 353-23 D
Last run: 73 days
W: 11st 12lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
28th May 2023 Good 2m 3f 49y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
Still capable of fine efforts, as he showed when narrowly beaten at Ayr last month; remains on a fair mark, despite top weight, but could again prove vulnerable for win purposes. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
22nd Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 91y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Old-timer who was still capable of useful form last season, finishing third of four in this race; however, age may now be catching up with him and he hasn't found much under pressure on his last two outings; opposable. |
7/1 |
|
6th 1 |
4th Mar 2023 Good 3m 0f 84y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
In career-best form last season despite his advancing years but he's not fired as he can in his last two starts some 92 days apart; worth taking on. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 11-5U5 CD
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
4th Mar 2023 Good 2m 4f 118y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Hat-trick of wins in early 2022, the middle leg in this race (soft; subsequent Cheltenham win on good); hasn't been in the same form this winter but he ran more promisingly than the distance beaten suggests at Uttoxeter recently and is now only just above his latest winning mark; respected. |
13/2 |
|
6th 2 |
11th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Signed off last season with a hat-trick of wins at about 2m4f, all of them under Isabel Williams; yet to replicate that form this term and the handicapper has eased him only 2lb in the process; others appeal more. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P-7829
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 20 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Good efforts in defeat behind Java Point (3m, good to soft) and Unexposed Party (2m6f, good to soft) this year and ran well for a long way before fading at last month's Cheltenham Festival (3m2f); could have an each-way shout at big odds now back down in trip; reapplied cheekpieces replace hood. |
40/1 |
|
8th 19 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
125-1 for this last year but was still travelling within himself when falling three out; returns on the back of a positive performance at Haydock when just ahead of Shearer; hood returns; he's no forlorn hope by any means. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
Ran well when fifth in this race a year ago (good to soft) and has some notable form since, including fourth of 16 in amateur riders' handicap at Cheltenham (3m1f, heavy) in November and third in recent Ludlow hunter chase (3m, good to soft); can make his presence felt. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 02-080 D
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
8th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Ran his best race for this yard when second to Docpickedme in a three-finisher race at Doncaster (3m, good) but Newbury was underwhelming even when taking into account the drop back to 2m4f; not easily recommended on the back of that. |
16/1 |
|
10th 7 |
4th Mar 2023 Good 2m 4f 118y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Handily treated and he ran his best race for this yard when second of three finishers at Doncaster recently (3m, good); his best form these days is at that trip though so he needs to show he still has what it takes at 2m4f. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
9th Feb 2023 Good 3m 0f 84y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Has dropped to a mark 9lb lower than when going very close at Cheltenham (3m, good) last April and a market check is advised, but he's been a long way below his best on his three starts for this yard; major turnaround needed. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: F21242 D
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 1lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 4 |
18th Jun 2024 Good 2m 0f 70y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Smart hurdler/chaser in his prime but without a win since September 2022 and looked out of sorts on latest outing in September; current ability tricky to gauge. |
12/1 |
|
0 5 |
23rd Nov 2023 Soft 2m 3f 179y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
prominent, outpaced when short of room after 3 out |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -23211 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 1lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
19th Aug 2023 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Won twice on slow ground over hurdles (2m3f/2m4f) towards the end of last year but he has a mixed record since; perked up with a fair third over C&D (good) in June but he failed to back that up at Worcester and others are preferred; cheekpieces reapplied. |
12/1 |
|
6th 2 |
20th Jul 2023 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
At least ran to his mark when 7l third at Market Rasen last time (3m, good), and the winner has completed a hat-trick since; cheekpieces deployed on all eight rules victories are still absent, however. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
9th Jun 2023 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Back in the groove with two wins at the end of last year but seems to have returned to the doldrums since; well handicapped now but something to prove and cheekpieces worn in all wins under rules are missing. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 523P-8
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
14th May 2023 Good 2m 4f 114y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in two of three starts for this yard but not beaten far in the other, when fourth at Ffos Las in January; hasn't won since December 2019 but has often faced tough tasks; facing a few questions but not impossible off this mark; can make the running. |
9/1 |
|
3 |
10th Apr 2023 Good 2m 4f 1y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
His last win was in a Grade 2 event but that was over 1m7f in December 2019 and he's struggled in two of his three runs for current yard, including at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last time; on much-reduced mark but he comes with risks attached. |
6/1 |
|
8th 8 |
7th Mar 2023 Good 2m 3f 173y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
in touch with leaders |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 100-99 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 10st 13lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 10 |
12th Dec 2023 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
10st 9lb |
Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but has plummeted down the weights and been very disappointing for new stable this year; sports refitted tongue-tie and cheekpieces today; needs to stop the rot. |
40/1 |
|
13th 1 |
16th Nov 2023 Good 2m 0f 104y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but plummeted down the weights and was very disappointing for new stable in first half of this year; needs to have been revitalised by six-month break. |
16/1 |
|
5th 3 |
22nd May 2023 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Formerly useful for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland but in poor form over fences/hurdles for new stable this year; needs to stop the rot. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-1304 D
Last run: 69 days
W: 10st 12lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
1st Sep 2023 Good 2m 1f 162y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
set steady pace, increased tempo after 3 out, ridden when faced challenge after 2 out, kept on well final 110yds |
5/1 |
|
5th 3 |
10th Aug 2023 Good To Soft 1m 6f 44y Class 6 |
10st 2lb |
Versatile ground-wise; multiple wins for yard include a 2m handicap on the Flat at Chepstow in April 2022 but his latest win was over hurdles that May and he hasn't shone so far this year; others more obvious. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1/2-56
Last run: 30 days
W: 10st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
23rd Oct 2024 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
raced in second, weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off |
5/2 |
|
1st 1 |
29th Oct 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 82y Class 4 |
12st 9lb |
Completed a 12-day hat-trick in October 2020, culminating in this race; two long layoffs since but he was back to form when scoring under Olive Nicholls over C&D in April and Kempton last Sunday, seemingly helped no end by the introduction of cheekpieces; all five wins on good or good to firm but he also has a good piece of heavy-ground form (2021); did it easily last week, so should go well under his penalty in hat-trick bid. |
2/1 |
|
1st 4 |
22nd Oct 2023 Good 2m 5f 0y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
prominent |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 31653P D
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
10th Oct 2024 Good 2m 3f 48y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
towards rear, reminders after 1st, not fluent and cajoled along 2nd, outpaced 9th |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 |
8th Sep 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 104y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
prominent, awkward jump 2nd, not fluent 11th, bad mistake and 2nd, lost ground 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last |
7/2 |
Verdict
Lock’s Corner should make a bold bid for a hat-trick but slight preference is for BOLD PLAN who hit top form in the second half of last season and took a step back in the right direction last time. Among others with possibilities are the reliable Vision Des Flos, the high-class chaser Espoir De Romay who returns from a layoff, and Oscars Moonshine whose recent form-figures don’t do him justice.[Richard O’Brien]