15.00
HeavySurrey National Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £15843
- 3m 4f 178y
- Class 3
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 4-3524
Last run: 21 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
24th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Hampered when unseating in an open point at neighbouring Howick last month, and generally a safe ride; both handicap chase wins (from 17 starts over fences) have come over Wincanton's 3m1f on ground softer than good, and the drying forecast isn't strictly ideal. |
16/1 |
|
2 |
29th Mar 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
always behind |
12/1 |
|
4 |
7th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 5f 142y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Rated much higher in the past so Newbury last time was disappointing (3m2f, good to soft) after going up just 3lb for winning a small-field handicap at Wincanton (3m1f, soft); getting back on soft ground should help and he'll stay okay. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: UPP-22
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 12lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
14th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
in touch with leaders |
12/1 |
|
6 |
14th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
in touch with leaders |
12/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
6th Apr 2024 Heavy 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Without a win since January 2021 and he hasn't really been threatening this winter, especially so at Doncaster most recently when the first beaten (3m, soft); wouldn't be the percentage call. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1111-5 C
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
21st Mar 2024 Soft 3m 6f 130y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Enhanced his excellent record at Lingfield when comfortably winning the Surrey National (3m5f, soft) in January; placed again there next time (well held) before having a rare spin over hurdles 16 days ago (beaten 27l off lower mark in that discipline); tailed off in a Welsh National on only previous visit here but entitled to be thereabouts. |
100/30 |
|
4th 1 |
5th Mar 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Enhanced his excellent record on the chase track here when comfortably winning the Sussex National (3m5f, soft) in January and again placed on his return visit after a 9lb rise; rated 11lb lower over hurdles and he's a better horse now than when last seen in this discipline. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 1 |
13th Feb 2024 Soft 3m 4f 178y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Won five from six chases on this track, the one defeat coming when runner-up in this last year on good ground which may have been faster than ideal; went into his shell after but took advantage of a generous mark in no uncertain fashion over C&D 23 days ago (soft; first completion in blinkers); back up 9lb but still 3lb lower than last February; solid chance. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -42232
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| 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: 0U-7U0
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 3lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
8th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 3m 1f 125y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
No win since April 2019; placed in last season's Welsh Grand National and is now 29lb lower but looked badly out of sorts this winter; swapped cheekpieces for refitted blinkers at Chepstow 16 days ago and there was an upturn but he was 10l behind the winner Domaine De L'Isle so still has work to do. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
23rd Mar 2023 Soft 3m 6f 130y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Teenager who hasn't won since April 2019; placed over C&D (soft) in last season's Welsh Grand National and is now 26lb lower but has looked badly out of sorts this winter and it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task today; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
5th 1 |
29th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 3m 3f 149y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Fourth off 21lb higher in last season's Welsh Grand National but soundly beaten in all his completed races since; 13yo who is hard to approach with confidence at present. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 111-P1
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
25th May 2026 Good 3m 5f 80y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
10-28 over fences, including three 3m1f course wins; below form at Ffos Las this month, after a break, but is back on a good mark and this marathon trip will suit; must be considered. |
11/4 |
|
4th 2 |
5th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Won five in a row last year (good-soft), including the 3m6f Highland National at Perth; has been rather quiet in last two races, as he was beaten 21l when third over 3m5f and then was pulled up at Kelso (4m); capable but a bit risky today. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 15-111 C
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 12 |
29th Apr 2023 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
10st 3lb |
Out of his depth in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham Festival; 5-5 over rules fences otherwise, most recently beating Revels Hill by 1l at Exeter (3m6f, good to soft; pair well clear); highly progressive in handicaps, no ground worries, stays well and may not have reached his ceiling yet; shortlisted. |
14/1 |
|
1st 3 |
26th Mar 2023 Good To Soft 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Bit off more than he could chew in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but had been going great guns with four successive wins from 2m7f to 3m3f (three at Fontwell); this is nothing like so demanding as at the Festival but it's still a step up from the grade in which he was winning; respected nonetheless. |
8/1 |
|
2 |
14th Mar 2023 Soft 3m 5f 201y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Big improvement switched to chasing, with one win at Lingfield and three at Fontwell; 19l and 17l were the last two winning margins, the latest over 3m4f (good to soft) and he goes well in the mud; that handicap form leaves him with a lot to find but he's certainly been impressing at that much lower level. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 141-54 C
Last run: 12 days
W: 10st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
23rd Mar 2023 Soft 3m 6f 130y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Dual chase winner last season, latterly at Bangor (3m5f, soft); not in same form this term but might have found good ground too lively when last of four finishers at Wetherby (3m7f) this month; might be the answer. |
11/2 |
|
4th 6 |
6th Mar 2023 Good 3m 6f 193y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
in touch with leaders, went second 5th, hit 14th, pushed along and lost position 5 out, ridden and beaten before 4 out |
10/1 |
|
5 |
10th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 3m 5f 142y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Tends to race rather lazily but came from off the pace to win this race by 16l last year (soft ground; second-time cheekpieces) and has made late headway on both outings this season (3m6f/3m; no headgear); no surprise if he makes a bold defence of his crown with the cheekpieces now refitted. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-2U24
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
18th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 5f 135y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
led but pestered, not fluent 7th, headed but pressed leader after 10th, soon pushed along and lost position, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out |
9/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
29th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 3m 3f 149y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Stays 3m5f; three of four wins were on heavy, the other on soft; latest was in January 2021 and although runner-up in two of his three completions this term, he needs to bounce back from a modest show just before Christmas. |
10/1 |
Verdict
Despite the rise in class in this strong field, it is hard to desert COOLVALLA (nap) following his three wins from three starts as a chaser. He’s been a major improver, shaping as if 3m2f suits him better than 3m, and this longer trip probably won’t stop him. Don Herbager, who won so well over 3m5f at Bangor last season, is second on the list but Fairlawn Flyer’s step up from 3m holds significant potential and he can go very well too. Shanty Valley and Bells Of Peterboro make most appeal among the rest.[Richard Austen]