14.55
Good To SoftPoundland Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £56270
- 2m 0f 103y
- Class 1
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
4/1 (Won)
- Win: £4.00
- Place: £1.50
Form: 1124 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 1 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
His fortunes over fences have been mixed but he made good headway in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month prior to falling two out; finest hour came when winning Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; could have a big say if avoiding mishap. |
13/2 |
|
5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Won Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; he's raced seven times since, all over fences, with just one win (a beginners chase in October 2024) and he can be difficult to settle; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and is capable of building on that. |
8/1 |
|
5th 1 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2023; won a 2m Wexford beginners' chase last season; jumping frailties apparent in races at Naas; had an excuse (lost a shoe and suffered an overreach) at Navan in his first handicap; plenty to prove after a moderate fifth behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse. |
12/1 |
16/1
- Place: £3.60
Form: 121119 CD
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Tailed off at Cheltenham in January but that's not his track and he's had a wind op since; prior to that he ran well when runner-up to Impose Toi at Newbury and Ascot, and his Aintree form figures read 1212 with his last two visits being in this race (good to soft/good); there can be considerable optimism that he'll be a key player back here; tongue-tie added. |
4/1 |
|
6th 3 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Runner-up to Impose Toi on last two starts (3m, soft/good to soft), latest when beaten just over 1l off level weights (same today) in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot; his record at Cheltenham is patchy but he ran well when third in this in 2024; on form he's the stand-out danger to Impose Toi. |
9/2 |
|
1st 1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 26y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) last November and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April, having won that same Grade 1 12 months earlier; leading claims despite conceding weight all round. |
7/4 |
7/2
- Place: £1.70
Form: 11-114 D BF
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon. |
8/13 |
|
1 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon. |
8/13 |
|
4th 7 |
11th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Progressive 6yo who took another step forward with her third in last month's Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy), when nicely clear of the fourth; she's unraced beyond 2m1f but her pedigree provides hope she'll be okay at this trip; top trainer has an excellent record in this race and she's not ruled out. |
10/1 |
33/1
Form: 61-115 D BF
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Had a simple task when beating two stablemates at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; finished behind Jax Junior and Mambonumberfive in his runs on either side of that win; bottom of the list on ratings. |
100/1 |
|
7th 7 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 1m 7f 195y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Only 1lb above his last winning mark but hasn't truly threatened this season and no better for cheekpieces the last twice, in the County Hurdle and then over 2m4f at Aintree; he wouldn't be the obvious answer here. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: -71120 D BF
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| 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 |
33/1
Form: 122O1 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 110y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track. |
25/1 |
|
5th 9 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here. |
33/1 |
12/1
Form: 1-1110 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
4th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Pulled up on all four starts last year but he turned things around with a rallying second at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first-time blinkers) in January; 2lb higher after a break but he remains well treated on old form and this return to quicker ground should be fine; possibilities. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Very well handicapped on his 2024 form but pulled up on all four starts last year; dramatic turnaround required in first-time blinkers. |
25/1 |
|
12 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it. |
40/1 |
7/2
Form: 212 D BF
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 10lb |
Eight-time chase winner; beat Majborough and Energumene at Cork in December; won this race last year, holding off the late challenge of Saint Sam (Blood Destiny a 7.25l third); pulled up in the Champion Chase last time, but this is more his level and he is the one to beat. |
7/4 |
|
3 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Fared best of the rest behind the impressive winner in the 2024 Arkle but weakened into last of five finishers in this contest last season and has largely fallen short at Grade 1 level in open company; beaten 19l by Majborough at this year's Dublin Racing Festival and flopped when back down in class at Navan (2m4f; blowing hard post race) later in February. |
33/1 |
|
4th 2 |
28th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 90y |
11st 8lb |
Eight-time chase winner, including the 2m Fortria at this venue twice; beat top-class mare Dinoblue in this season's edition and then took the notable scalp of Majborough in the Hilly Way at Cork; has since suffered two heavy defeats in 2m1f Grade 1 races at Leopardstown; now back over 2m4f for the first time since beating Saint Sam at Fairyhouse last April. |
13/8 |
10/1
Form: 1-11 D
Last run: 53 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Won two handicaps in a row at Ascot (2m3f, good) early last year; also effective on soft ground and didn't stay 3m in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot latest; all of his best form has come at Ascot but he hasn't had many chances to show what he can do elsewhere and he's in the picture on his peak efforts. |
7/1 |
|
8th 1 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Successful in a couple of useful handicaps at Ascot (2m3f, good) since wearing cheekpieces; open to further progress in the headgear but appears to have a stiff task on these terms and the trip is an unknown. |
16/1 |
11/1
Form: 14-112 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 19 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
10st 0lb |
Smart form as a younger horse but on losing run since Grade 2 success at Limerick in December 2022; a step in the right direction in a 2m Cork conditions hurdle on latest but he's unproven at this trip; 4lb wrong and hard to fancy. |
28/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 70y |
11st 2lb |
Smart form in his younger days, including a Grade 2 win, but has lost his way; soundly beaten at Leopardstown last time when well behind Soir De Garde and he's poorly treated by these race conditions. |
25/1 |
|
4th 5 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 2f 72y |
11st 2lb |
Won a Grade 2 in 2022 (2m, heavy); has struggled since then; more likely to return to winning ways in a handicap; looks out of his depth here with blinkers replacing previously work cheekpieces. |
50/1 |
25/1
Form: -1112P D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
31st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 62y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Creditable second in a Kelso handicap chase in October (2m1f, good); not done as well since and was well beaten back over hurdles at Kempton in January (2m, good; cheekpieces back on) on latest start; hood now tried; bit to prove. |
9/2 |
|
1 |
25th Oct 2025 Good 2m 1f 14y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Faller when last seen but earlier novice chase form featured a success (2m, good) when fresh; still has low mileage over fences and warrants respect off a workable mark on reappearance. |
7/4 |
25/1
Form: 21412 D BF
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
1 |
27th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
|
9/1
Form: 52-211 D
Last run: 62 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
14th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 103y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Good second in Grade 2 bumper at this meeting last year; proving similarly useful over hurdles, winning at Haydock (1m7f, soft; strong form) and Warwick (2m, good; easily) the last twice; solid chance back here. |
9/1 |
|
1st 2 |
11th Feb 2023 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
made all, 3 lengths ahead 2 out, not fluent last, kept on strongly and went further clear run-in, easily |
4/11 |
|
1 |
9th Feb 2023 Good 2m 0f 128y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Runner-up in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April and he built on his hurdle debut second at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October to win a warm introductory hurdle at Haydock (1m7f, soft) in November; holds stand-out form claims under a 7lb penalty; unraced on good ground. |
2/11 |
14/1
Form: -11201 D
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 5f 110y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Form dipped in Cheltenham Festival handicap returned to fences last time; multiple Grade 2 winner but has raced mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this step back up in trip; first go beyond a sharp 2m4f. |
14/1 |
|
3 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
14th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 50y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Front-runner who is 2-3 since returned to hurdles from fences, winning races at Kempton (Listed) and Wincanton (Elite Hurdle) that he also took in 2023 and 2024; held in a 9l third at Kempton on Boxing Day but that was behind Sir Gino in a Grade 1 and he's strongly respected on this drop back in class; most of his wins have been on good ground but he's effective on soft. |
7/4 |
Non-runners
Colonel Harry, Rubaud
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £39.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £45.04 |
| Tricast | £157.10 |
| Trifecta | £174.20 |