15.30
SoftXenon Handicap
- Prize money: £20384
- 0m 7f 1y
- Class 2
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 035014 CD
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 9lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 1 (4) |
27th Oct 2023 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 2 |
10st 0lb |
Done most winning round easy, turning courses, so has that in his favour; isn't as consistent now, which is no surprise given his age, but retains most of his ability and is fine on Tapeta; the harder they go the better for him. |
8/1 |
|
4th 2 (9) |
30th Sep 2023 Soft 0m 7f 212y Class 2 |
10st 0lb |
Veteran now but he ran really well in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m) and the Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f) in the spring and took advantage of a slight drop in grade at Chester (7.5f) last time, underlining how well he goes on soft ground; has an excellent course record and should remain very competitive after a 5lb rise. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 904031 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 (2) |
4th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
9st 5lb |
All seven wins have been on good or slower ground on turf; last success was in 2023 but he's well treated on old form and made some late gains when sixth of 15 at Nottingham (8.3f, good) last month; wasn't beaten far in that race and he could go well again on this step back up in trip. |
15/2 |
|
6th 5 (13) |
8th Apr 2026 Good 1m 0f 75y Class 6 |
9st 7lb |
All seven wins have been on good or slower ground on turf; last success was in 2023 but he didn't get much luck when fourth at Wolverhampton (7f) last month and he's in the mix on this step back up in trip. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 940121 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 6lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (4) |
23rd Sep 2023 Good To Soft 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
in touch with leaders |
7/1 |
|
2nd 1 (10) |
13th Sep 2023 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
10st 3lb |
Overcame a wide trip to score at Kempton (AW) last week, benefiting from the return to this grade and belated step up to 7f; now 3-6 in Class 4 events and remains unexposed at this distance; 5lb penalty is largely offset by Frederick Larson's useful claim; respected. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 157008 C
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 (7) |
7th May 2025 Good 0m 7f 1y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment. |
10/1 |
|
10 (7) |
7th May 2025 Good 0m 7f 1y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 5 (5) |
27th Sep 2024 Soft 0m 7f 37y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
Dual course winner who went close over C&D last month but he's been disappointing since including a laboured effort back here last time; losing run is now up to 15 and others are more convincing. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 357020 C BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 (6) |
21st May 2026 Good 0m 7f 15y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
Front-runner; well handicapped, being 8lb lower than for his Chester win last May, but he didn't fire at that meeting two weeks ago and he now has a point to prove. |
12/1 |
|
13th 12 (6) |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 0m 7f 127y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Prominent racer with a very good Chester record, including a win in this race on good to firm in 2024 (also third on soft in 2023); off for 20 months prior to finishing well held at the Newmarket Craven meeting three weeks ago but he led for long enough to think plenty of ability remains and this has presumably been the target; could bounce back to form with a bang. |
5/1 |
|
13th 2 (8) |
16th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
Runner-up in this race in 2024 when it was staged as a Class 2; made all at Chester (7.5f, good to firm) on his next start and it was a solid fourth back there (7f, good to soft) when last seen 20 months ago; yard going well and handicapper has given him a shot too; watch the market. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22-316
Last run: 118 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 (2) |
28th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 3y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
Has won only once since making his British debut in October 2023; has threatened plenty of times but has been very poor in last two races. |
14/1 |
|
12th 2 (11) |
8th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 6y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
He's won just once since making his British debut in October 2023; however, that came this January (7f, AW) and a slow start proved costly when back at 6f at Southwell last Thursday; effective on turf and might not be far away now back up in trip. |
12/1 |
|
8th 9 (5) |
2nd Apr 2026 Standard 0m 6f 16y Class 4 |
8st 12lb |
1m win in January and back to his recent best when a close third at Lingfield last week; runs off the same mark today but he would be more appealing over an extra furlong. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 215000 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 8 (9) |
18th Oct 2025 Standard 0m 6f 20y Class 3 |
9st 5lb |
C&D winner; flashed home to win a 7f handicap at Chester in May but it has been a mixed bag since, including dropped into a seller at Chester four weeks ago; dangerous mark if the addition of a tongue tie has a positive effect. |
10/1 |
|
4 (4) |
20th Sep 2025 Soft 0m 7f 127y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Last-gasp winner of a Class 3 handicap here (7f, good) in May but he hasn't matched that form since and was well held over C&D (good to soft) last time; hood now returns but this is highly competitive for a seller and others are preferred. |
8/1 |
|
1 (9) |
13th Sep 2025 Good 0m 7f 127y Class 4 |
10st 1lb |
Produced a strong finish for a last-gasp success off this mark here (7f, good) in May; hasn't hit the same level since but he had some serious traffic issues when a creditable third here last month; looks interesting on this step back up in trip and could be a big factor if he gets the breaks. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 412215 C
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 2 (7) |
30th May 2026 Good To Soft 0m 7f 1y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers. |
11/2 |
|
1st 3 (3) |
7th May 2026 Good 0m 5f 15y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn. |
3/1 |
|
12th 7 (4) |
25th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 598905 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 (6) |
10th Jan 2025 Standard 0m 7f 0y |
10st 0lb |
took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong |
3/1 |
|
4th 3 (6) |
10th Jan 2025 Standard 0m 7f 0y |
10st 0lb |
took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong |
3/1 |
|
2nd 9 (9) |
18th Dec 2024 Standard 0m 7f 0y |
8st 8lb |
Once very useful sort with eight turf wins but is yet to win on AW; fine effort from the front over inadequate 6f (rider dropped whip) here last Friday and one to consider back at his optimum trip and rider's valuable claim. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: -55417 CD
Last run: 11 days
W: 8st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 12 (2) |
4th Oct 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
midfield towards far side |
20/1 |
|
6th 8 (9) |
13th Sep 2024 Soft 0m 7f 1y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Acts on soft; close third on penultimate start, inconsistent otherwise this year; three-time winner at Chester and has possibilities back here, provided he takes well to first-time visor. |
16/1 |
|
11th 10 (8) |
1st Aug 2024 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
7f course winner who had dropped 6lb lower than when successful at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) last December when beaten less than a length into third of 11 at Ripon (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago; races off the same mark but this trip looks to be right on the limit of his stamina. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4730-2 C
Last run: 29 days
W: 8st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 11 (4) |
23rd Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call. |
20/1 |
|
7th 11 (4) |
23rd Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call. |
20/1 |
|
11 (3) |
17th Oct 2024 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
midfield but in touch with leaders |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 026987 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 8st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 12 (8) |
28th Jun 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 2 |
8st 11lb |
The oldest contender and a familiar face, having taken part in this race for the last four years (form figures read 6529); beat all bar Eldrickjones over C&D last month but the return to this better grade presents a tougher task. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 10 (5) |
11th May 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 3 |
8st 11lb |
Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 10 (5) |
11th May 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 3 |
8st 11lb |
Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here. |
10/1 |
Verdict
It might be worth forgiving PERCY’S LAD a below-par run at York last time as he’s run well on all four outings here and is well drawn for one who usually races close to the pace. Richard Fahey’s pair Stone Soldier (second choice) and Zip head the dangers along with course specialist Revich. [Andrew Sheret]