15.35
SoftBallymore Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £28475
- 2m 4f 56y
- Class 1
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
11/2 (Won)
- Win: £7.50
- Place: £1.90
Form: 2
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
2-14 record over fences includes some big runs, including when he hacked up at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November and took second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft) on latest outing; the Ascot race was going this way round but so was his penultimate start when he kept jumping to his left at Musselburgh (12l second to Transmission); that's a niggling concern but he's handicapped to go well if this is another good day. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 8y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Only 2-13 over fences and doesn't score too highly for consistency; however, flashes of his form read well, notably his second to Haiti Couleurs in last year's 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a clearcut win at Ascot this season; beaten 12l by a revitalised winner at right-handed Musselburgh last time (3m7f, good to soft) but he jumped left at a good few of his fences that day; last year Mr Vango became the first top weight to win since Bonanza Boy in 1991; handles all ground; each-way claims. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
1st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 7f 76y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Only 2-12 over fences but he was second in the 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham (good to soft; has won on soft) last March and breezed home 11l in front at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November; disappointing in the Welsh National (rather getting squeezed out at the start didn't help) but he has a big shout if reverting to the Ascot level of performance. |
5/2 |
2/1
- Place: £1.40
Form: 1-711
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 1m 7f 144y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch |
14/1 |
|
8th 1 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 1m 7f 144y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch |
14/1 |
|
6th 1 |
14th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back. |
9/1 |
18/1
- Place: £2.80
Form: 4-114 C BF
Last run: 63 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 11 |
9th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Pulled up on final start last season and the same story on both this term, tried in cheekpieces on latest; 13lb below his career-high mark and reverts to hurdling (from chasing) for the first time since April 2023. |
20/1 |
11/4
Form: 11P-21 D
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Easily won a handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) a fortnight ago; his three hurdle wins have come there and he needs to prove he can reproduce his best form at a different track, but today's trip and forecast soft ground will be right up his street and he's not ruled out on his first run here. |
8/1 |
|
1st 4 |
31st Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 103y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Won by 18l over C&D in December 2024 and runner-up to Red Dirt Road in this race (off 2lb higher than today) next time, both on heavy going; well beaten last March and November (given wind surgery in between) but surged back to some form when short-headed here four weeks ago; that was over just 2m4f on good ground and today's conditions are more likely to see him back to his best; big shout if he is. |
3/1 |
40/1
Form: 6325-P
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 |
14th Apr 2024 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
12/1 |
|
9th 3 |
14th Apr 2024 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
12/1 |
|
5 |
21st Feb 2024 Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
in touch with leaders, jumped left 1st |
7/1 |
25/1
Form: 3440-5
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
6th Jan 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Odds-on winner of a 2m Tramore maiden last August on his ninth start over hurdles; subsequently left Martin Brassil; failed to stay when tried over an extended 3m in a handicap at Punchestown on his first start for this stable; this should suit much better. |
10/1 |
|
12th 9 |
26th Nov 2023 Soft 3m 0f 100y |
10st 4lb |
Odds-on winner of a 2m Tramore maiden in August on his ninth start over hurdles; unknown quantity at this trip; has changed stable. |
12/1 |
|
1st 2 |
18th Aug 2023 Good 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Juvenile form was decent; obtained ample experience, if somewhat frustrating; in theory his Cheltenham sixth when last seen should be enough here but far from convinced he'll show his best. |
Evs |
12/1
Form: 217-1
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
23rd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 30y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Took big step back in right direction when fifth at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last month, in race he won the previous two seasons; still on a workable mark and has a fighting chance here if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect. |
9/4 |
|
5th 9 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt. |
11/2 |
66/1
Form: 2302
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 9 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 3 |
10st 13lb |
On a good mark if able to rediscover his peak form but his debut for this yard was disappointing and that was back in August. |
33/1 |
|
11th 9 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 3 |
10st 13lb |
On a good mark if able to rediscover his peak form but his debut for this yard was disappointing and that was back in August. |
33/1 |
|
5th 5 |
31st Aug 2024 Good 2m 5f 122y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
in touch with leaders, prominent before 3rd, mistake 4 out |
10/1 |
15/2
Form: F31-21 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 7 |
6th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 48y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
All wins have come on left-handed tracks, the latest comfortably at Cheltenham in December (2m4f, good to soft; 7lb lower); does have form going this way around and just appeared to have an off-day last time at Sandown; considered. |
5/1 |
|
11 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 104y Class 2 |
10st 9lb
|
Just 1-12 over fences but was in good form last winter when last seen, finishing second on consecutive outings at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) and Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), and Sean Bowen is a good booking here. |
5/1 |
16/1
Form: 17-411
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 |
13th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 88y Class 3 |
10st 10lb |
Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
13th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 88y Class 3 |
10st 10lb |
Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 1 |
19th Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 1f 33y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, went third before 5th |
16/1 |
11/2
Form: -41111 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Completed a handicap hurdle four-timer in late 2022 and showed considerable spark when third of 15 at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in March on his second start back from a long absence; however, tailed off at Aintree next time; makes chase debut and others have more pressing claims. |
25/1 |
|
18th 21 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
raced wide, pressed leader, prominent 2nd |
25/1 |
|
18th 21 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
raced wide, pressed leader, prominent 2nd |
25/1 |
16/1
Form: 111-22 C BF
Last run: 54 days
W: 10st 12lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
7th Feb 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Listed bumper winner in 2021 and won two of four hurdle races last season, including on her only start in cheekpieces, which return today; reappeared with another 2m handicap win (Hereford) and, bred to be suited by at least 2m4f, she was a hot favourite when upped to that trip at Cheltenham in December, only to unseat two out when challenging; can make amends, with plenty more to offer over this sort of trip. |
6/4 |
Non-runners
Blenkinsop, Bonttay
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £16.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £15.46 |
| Tricast | £112.66 |
| Trifecta | £164.40 |