13.40
SoftSteve Whyley Memorial British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Div I)
- Prize money: £4356.8
- 1m 7f 168y
- Class 4
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: /959-1 D
Last run: 161 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
26th Jan 2024 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Improved with each hurdle run in Ireland, winning a Kilbeggan maiden in May; hasn't threatened the winner in his two British novice hurdles but they were good horses ahead of him; ground should be fine for him on handicap debut. |
11/2 |
|
4 |
27th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 4 |
11st 7lb
|
|
Abandoned
Form: 43-45
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
9th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery. |
12/1 |
|
1 |
9th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery. |
12/1 |
|
5th 4 |
10th Feb 2025 Good 1m 7f 156y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
towards rear throughout |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 31-
Last run: 236 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
26th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 116y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
He was a hard ride over C&D last month (good) but on top when it mattered and his record here now reads 2111; raised 4lb but a greater concern is whether he'll be up for it. |
Evs |
|
1st 2 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 116y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Needs to rebound, having been out of form since the turn of the year; however, has a record of 211 at Plumpton, most recently winning off just 1lb lower in November; return to this venue may have positive effect; goes without headgear for first time in a while. |
8/1 |
|
8th 1 |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Front-runner whose record of 4-14 over hurdles includes two wins this term; ran right up to his best when second at Ascot (2m5f, soft) in December but he's lost his way with heavy defeats in last two run; now drops back into a Class 4 event but he needs to get back on track. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 18- C
Last run: 188 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
After a brief stint over fences he got back on track in beating 14 rivals over 3m at Windsor (soft) under a positive ride; however, there was a further reminder of his inconsistency when he dropped away tamely at Haydock in February; what does heighten interest is a pretty good record when fresh. |
8/1 |
|
7th 9 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Back to form with a bang returned to hurdles when fending off Doughmore Bay in a valuable 3m handicap at Windsor (soft) 27 days ago; allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs in that contest and there's possible competition for the lead from the likes of Red Dirt Road, Stone's Throw and Stay Away Fay here; still no surprise were he to progress again, though. |
9/1 |
|
1st 14 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 4lb |
Two chase efforts this season leave a doubt over his current form; disappointing in last hurdles attempt so there are enough reasons to oppose him in this competitive race. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 27-
Last run: 181 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
24th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 54y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
He has had his ups and downs in the past but he won in fine style at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) in December and went close at Market Rasen (3m, soft) subsequently, when well clear of the third; key player. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
2-9 over fences; not one to rely upon heavily but looked in very good nick when winning readily at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) in December and today's 7lb higher mark may not be beyond him. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 6-8
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 5f 89y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
0-20 and mixed signals all season over what his present optimum trip might be; staying on but no chance with winner when second at Warwick latest (2m, good), and this contest looks a shade stronger. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 9 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
A stumble after four out was no help at Market Rasen but did finish well held and he's now 0-9 over fences and 0-19 overall. |
16/1 |
|
4th 7 |
5th Apr 2026 Good 2m 1f 43y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
0-8 over fences and 0-18 overall; clear second to an improver over C&D (soft) in January and now only 1lb above that mark but hasn't quite been in the same form since; cheekpieces removed after one use. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 22 |
12th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on. |
6/1 |
|
15th 22 |
12th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on. |
6/1 |
|
4th 7 |
9th Mar 2024 Heavy 1m 7f 216y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
3m point winner who scored on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) in October and, after making the frame in Graded races the next twice, won Newbury novice (2m, heavy) last month when back down in grade; improvement needed on handicap debut but that's possible from this unexposed 6yo, who could prove well suited by this big-field scenario and expected strong pace. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 8/04-
Last run: 202 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 8 |
1st Nov 2024 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Came good over hurdles when trouncing three rivals here (2m7f, soft) in May and he ran to a similar level when second over same C&D the following month; now drops back in trip but he travelled smoothly on his penultimate run and still has scope for further progress; dangerous on his return. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 8 |
1st Nov 2024 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
held up in rear, headway after 6th, challenging when pecked on landing 3 out, soon went second, kept on when lost second run-in |
10/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
15th Jun 2024 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, easily drawing clear to win small-field C&D (soft) race by 33l three weeks ago; it's hard to gauge what that form is worth but the forecast rain will suit him. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 10st 13lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 9 |
16th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 30y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Placed on both previous C&D starts, including when beaten under 1l by On The Platform in this race (good to soft; headed last); out of sorts this year, however, and needs a positive response to wind surgery. |
25/1 |
|
10th 10 |
27th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 26y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Case can be made on pick of his form over hurdles and fences but it's been miserable stuff in three handicap chases since returning from 485 days off; all headgear removed this time. |
10/1 |
|
3 |
11th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Made a winning debut over fences when scoring off this mark over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) in April 2024; some solid efforts followed later that year but both starts since coming back from an absence have been uninspiring; hopes are pinned on his return to this venue and first-time blinkers. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 6-3
Last run: 161 days
W: 10st 13lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
18th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Promise in bumpers for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles and no significance in the return of cheekpieces; 7lb out of the weights. |
10/1 |
|
10 |
18th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
in rear |
10/1 |
|
8th 12 |
9th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Promise in bumpers on good to soft for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles, held back by his jumping, but getting back on a sounder surface may help and new blinkers could spark extra too. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
14th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
chased clear leader, mistake 1st, soon dropped to midfield, not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, some headway on turn before 2 out, weakened approaching last |
9/4 |
|
5th 3 |
14th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
chased clear leader, mistake 1st, soon dropped to midfield, not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, some headway on turn before 2 out, weakened approaching last |
9/4 |
|
1st 7 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 1f 77y Class 4 |
10st 6lb |
Caused 22-1 surprise at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) in January and backed up that performance with keeping-on second at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) soon afterwards but her form dipped last month and she needs to rebound. |
7/1 |
Verdict
This may concern two horses who shaped with considerable promise in bumpers. Goodwin won as he liked at Fontwell but preference is for GO TO WAR, who beat a talented horse here on his debut before a respectable effort in a Grade 2 at Aintree. The ex-Irish Macanogue is a winning hurdler but is penalised accordingly and could be vulnerable.[Alistair Jones]