13.50
Softbet365 Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £5281
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 3
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 61586- D
Last run: 209 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
9th Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 209y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling. |
9/1 |
|
5th 2 |
9th Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 209y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling. |
9/1 |
|
5 |
18th Sep 2024 Good 2m 4f 189y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Hasn't won since January 2023; now 16lb lower; finished in front of Ashington and Well Educated when fourth in first-time tongue-tie (retained) over 2m1f on soft at Cartmel last time but not sure to confirm the form on today's better ground. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 211/6/ D
Last run: 756 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
9th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 70y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Didn't jump with fluency but took advantage of ease in grade to justify favouritism in a Leicester seller (2m4f, soft) on penultimate start; toiled back in a handicap (Class 4) at Lingfield latest; this is a tough task, even if returning to this shorter trip may suit. |
25/1 |
|
12th 2 |
19th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 3f 110y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Bounced back from disappointing seasonal debut with clear win in Leicester seller (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago but faces much tougher task on this handicap return and still has something to prove; cheekpieces refitted. |
10/1 |
|
6th 2 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Returned from layoff with two clearcut wins at Sandown (both 2m, soft) this year but his revival came to an end with a pulled-up effort at Warwick in February; bit to prove after that and he's untried over this far. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2613-2 D BF
Last run: 159 days
W: 11st 1lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
16th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 207y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
Three consecutive wins over hurdles in May/June (2m-2m7f, good/good to soft) and he was running okay in that sphere last month; however, he has something to find in today's company and he didn't improve for the switch to fences when soundly beaten in January on his sole previous chase start. |
12/1 |
|
4th 1 |
26th Sep 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Came up rather short in higher grade last time; solid record (1112) in Class 4 otherwise this term, albeit has shot up the weights as a result; may be in the assessor's grip now. |
13/2 |
|
3 |
5th Sep 2025 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
It took a return to selling level to regain the winning thread in May but has since gone 112 in 2m4f/2m7f handicaps; getting high in the weights (nudged up another 1lb) but he's pretty solid. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: U1140-
Last run: 193 days
W: 10st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 9 |
23rd May 2026 Good 2m 3f 123y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Won a C&D handicap (good to soft) last April but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs and latest was back here in March; has some questions to answer and he's still 3lb higher than for his last win. |
16/1 |
|
4th 3 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Bang out of form in his last three races but only four starts back last April he won as he liked around here (good to soft) off 5lb higher; couldn't put a line through him. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 14275- D
Last run: 224 days
W: 10st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
9th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 68y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
sweating, took keen hold, led, headed but prominent before 5th, mistake and lost position 8th, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out |
4/1 |
|
1 |
9th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 68y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Front-runner who won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) in October and has run well in second the next twice (2m/1m7f, good to soft/good); he's fine at this trip (and on a variety of ground) and was effective here over hurdles; can make another bold bid. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
8th Nov 2024 Good 1m 7f 133y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Winning hurdler who has taken well to fences, beating Caithness by a head over C&D on debut last month before fair second off this 4lb higher mark at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); should go well again. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 31133- D
Last run: 265 days
W: 10st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
12th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 1y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Placed in two of his three starts for new stable; remains on career-high mark but Lewis Stones takes off a useful 3lb and record of 1-1 at Taunton bodes well; in the mix. |
8/1 |
|
4th 3 |
12th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 1y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
held up in rear, raced wide home turn, good headway before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, kept on run-in |
8/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
20th Jul 2024 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
3-10 over hurdles; arguably posted career-best form when second on stable debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in May but ran no race when dropped back to 2m at Stratford last month; needs to put that performance behind him. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 105- D
Last run: 241 days
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 85y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
He's now 5lb lower than when winning at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; however, this season's form has been patchy and today's trip may stretch him; major turnaround needed with blinkers replacing cheekpieces. |
7/2 |
|
4th 5 |
27th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 3 |
11st 1lb |
Returning from an absence when edging home in this 12 months ago off 2lb higher; his penultimate effort (here in first-time cheekpieces) was respectable and it's perhaps best to forget Sandown last time when his best form has been on left-handed tracks; respected. |
12/1 |
|
10 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Raced mainly on left-handed tracks; gained two of his three chase wins at Newbury; ran respectably with cheekpieces added there last time; capable of being involved but has a question mark over the course. |
9/1 |
Verdict
This looks a bit trappy but the two that appeal most are Casa Loupi and MATCHLESS (nap) who are both 2-6 over hurdles and still have potential in this sphere. The former is respected back from another absence but the vote goes to Matchless, who is a useful performer on the Flat and looks on a dangerous mark on his return to hurdling. Third choice is Nayati, who is on his last winning mark and drops back in grade on his return to action.[David Moon]
Selections
The Sun:
Nayati