14.50
GoodVirgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final)
- Prize money: £10562
- 3m 0f 84y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
13/2 (Won)
- Win: £5.50
Form: 1UP-51 D
Last run: 72 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
Doncaster form figures read 1P2114, the last five of which were over fences; not disgraced last time and this hurdles mark is 10lb lower, so a case can be made. |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Course form figures read 1P211, the last two wins coming in this race last year (good) and over C&D (good to soft) last month, both off a mark 2lb lower than today's; has also won on soft; respected given his record here. |
7/1 |
|
13 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
9yo who has been inconsistent over the years but he's been better than ever the last twice, going very close at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December before winning another competitive handicap there (3m, good) in January, albeit having a battle on his hands before being left clear at the final fence; that latest form still reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; chance. |
6/1 |
12/1
Form: 2-0805 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 9lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| 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 |
5/1
Form: 22-241 CD
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 9 |
19th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Only 2lb higher than for his 3m win at Doncaster in December; inconsistent and last two efforts were nowhere near his best, but perhaps blinkers will do something for him (good and bad when tried in cheekpieces). |
25/1 |
|
13 |
18th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Up and down this season and finished tailed off when favourite for a four-runner 3m handicap at Doncaster a month ago; this company is warmer than he's accustomed to and probably placed at best. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
9th Feb 2023 Good 3m 0f 84y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Reappeared with promising second on handicap debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and bounced back from lesser run at Carlisle for a hard-fought win over this C&D (good) in December; this lightly raced 7yo could have more to offer for his good yard and is on the shortlist up 4lb. |
5/1 |
9/2
Form: U11-24 BF
Last run: 68 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Useful handicap chaser in his prime but very lightly raced in recent years; remote when third of seven at Taunton (2m7f, heavy; behind Haven't Time) last month and current ability remains tricky to gauge but he ought to be better suited by the less testing ground here and might be boosted by the refitted cheekpieces. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Ran really well in defeat in some tough handicap chases in 2022-23 season and a good case can be made on that form; however, this 11yo has raced just three times since and is hard to fancy on that more recent evidence. |
12/1 |
|
4th 7 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Only a second outing since his bet365 Gold Cup third of two years ago when fourth in a 3m4f Cothelstone mixed open last month (good; no extra 2 out); couldn't insist his present rating is still warranted on that evidence but some ability clearly remains, and he won't mind any cut. |
5/2 |
10/1
Form: 13614O D
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 7 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
12yo who exploited a career-low mark in reapplied cheekpieces (retained since) at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November and followed up there (3m, good to soft) in December, making all under Oscar Palmer each time; he's a player if resuming where he left off. |
6/1 |
|
5 |
15th Oct 2025 Good 3m 0f 26y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Not the force of old but, following a wind operation, arrested decline and was placed twice at Hexham (2m4f; stays 3m) in the spring; absent since falling quite heavily there in May but has a fighting chance if ready to roll. |
7/1 |
10/1
Form: 111416 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
13th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
On the face of it work on to reverse recent C&D form with Perseus Way and Sunset Hill despite a swing in the weights, but course record prior to that read four wins and (off 8lb higher) a short head second in this race last year ahead of two reopposing rivals; respected. |
11/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
9th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Has won eight of his 21 races over hurdles; doesn't seem to be the force of old as was pulled up at Haydock last time having finished last of eight on previous hurdle run. |
20/1 |
|
6 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 5f 50y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Tailed off on his final hurdle start in November and three subsequent chase runs leave him with further questions to answer; potentially on a useful mark if he can get back on track, but there are clearly risks attached. |
25/1 |
4/1
Form: 1/2313 D BF
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights. |
40/1 |
|
9 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights. |
40/1 |
|
4th 4 |
2nd Apr 2025 Good 3m 0f 54y Class 4 |
10st 10lb |
prominent, not fluent 1st, lost ground 7th, not fluent 11th, soon lost ground |
8/1 |
3/1
Form: 1-4
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 7 |
21st Aug 2024 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Good-ground novice winner in these colours for Nicky Henderson, for whom he signed off with a modest first attempt at chasing; found to have an irregular heartbeat after disappointing over hurdles on return from an absence; bit to prove on a few counts. |
14/1 |
|
8 |
21st Jul 2024 Good 2m 6f 7y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Good-ground novice winner in these colours for Nicky Henderson, for whom he signed off with a modest first attempt at chasing; remains lightly raced and stable can ready one after an absence. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
13th May 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
led, hit 5th, briefly headed 7th, joined 10th, headed after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened |
9/2 |
Non-runners
Revels Hill, Johnson's Blue, Imperial Storm, Blue Stello
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £17.80 |
| Straight Forecast | £21.34 |
| Trifecta | £33.00 |