14.05
SoftByrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £56950
- 2m 0f 167y
- Class 1
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
7/2 (Won)
- Win: £4.50
- Place: £1.50
Form: 12123- CD BF
Last run: 252 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces. |
33/1 |
|
8th 6 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival. |
40/1 |
7/1
- Place: £2.00
Form: 3/3F2- CD
Last run: 189 days
W: 12st 0lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
21st Jan 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
A longer trip may be preferable but he was a good second off this mark at Ascot (2m1f, soft) in November on his reappearance, and filled the same position at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last time; also effective on good/good to soft; this highly admirable 12yo can give another good account. |
6/1 |
|
3 |
27th Dec 2023 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 11lb
|
|
|
|
2nd 1 |
27th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
prominent, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, kept on final 110yds |
9/4 |
11/2
- Place: £2.00
Form: 51124- D BF
Last run: 219 days
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Progressive front-runner who has won two handicaps this term (2m3f/2m1f, good to firm/soft) and came second in the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; a bad mistake at the first fence all but ended his race in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month; sent off 50-1 at the Festival and his form has to go to a new level if he's to pose a threat today. |
50/1 |
|
10 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; has become a very consistent chaser; form figures this term read 12122, the second-place finishes in Grade 2 events, including handicaps; ran creditably behind a leading novice in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; even if he gives his running again, that won't be nearly enough to trouble the judge now that he is upped further in class; a lot to find. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Acts on soft ground; has become a very consistent handicap chaser; form figures this term read 1212, the second-place finishes behind progressive Thistle Ask in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton; better than ever, has won at Newbury and looks sure to run his race; rock-solid claims. |
7/2 |
11/1
Form: 1122P- D
Last run: 189 days
W: 10st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
28th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance. |
13/8 |
|
2 |
28th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance. |
13/8 |
|
3rd 5 |
2nd May 2025 Good 2m 4f 127y Class 5 |
12st 1lb |
took keen hold, midfield, in touch with leaders 7th, went third approaching last, not pace to challenge |
8/1 |
6/1
Form: /1127- D BF
Last run: 196 days
W: 10st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
26th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 219y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm. |
2/1 |
|
4th 1 |
19th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer. |
7/2 |
|
1 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now. |
11/2 |
15/2
Form: 451F5- CD
Last run: 189 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Outsider in this contest for the last two years, flattered when second in 2022 (race fell apart) and early faller in 2023; following Boothill's late fall, he inherited a remote second behind Edwardstone at Newbury last month when bidding for a third Game Spirit success; has the worst chance judged on this season's form. |
100/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
10th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Has failed to threaten in handicaps on his four runs this season but was also below his best last term prior to a major revival when winning this race for the second consecutive year; four visits to Newbury have yielded three C&D wins (including on soft) and no surprise if he's bang there. |
10/1 |
|
6th 1 |
27th Jan 2024 Good 2m 0f 78y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Landed this prize in 2022 and also has two subsequent Grade 2 chase wins on his CV; on the downgrade now but last month's Cheltenham third (2m, soft) was very respectable and today's faster ground will suit. |
9/2 |
4/1
Form: /531-3 D BF
Last run: 187 days
W: 10st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who is 2-16 over fences with latest win in March 2023, but he took some minor honours over a wide variety of trips last January-May; has a recent run under his belt and, having run creditably in the first of two runs with cheekpieces, he now tries a visor. |
25/1 |
|
11 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who is 2-16 over fences with latest win in March 2023, but he took some minor honours over a wide variety of trips last January-May; has a recent run under his belt and, having run creditably in the first of two runs with cheekpieces, he now tries a visor. |
25/1 |
|
8 |
11th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 11lb
|
|
12/1
Form: P1323- D
Last run: 189 days
W: 10st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Useful hurdler/chaser in his pomp who is a three-time chase winner, with back-to-back wins coming in December 2023; below that level in limited appearances since, including after a third wind operation; nevertheless, he could still make his presence felt at this lower level. |
9/2 |
|
4th 6 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish |
14/1 |
|
4th 6 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish |
14/1 |
16/1
Form: 1/5P3- D
Last run: 205 days
W: 10st 5lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 |
15th Feb 2024 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Won twice on heavy early in career; Aintree brings out the best in him and he was below form last January on his only start at Sandown; Wetherby second last time (the race in which Xcitations and Gunsight Ridge came a cropper) was a step back in the right direction but others are preferred. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
13th Jan 2024 Soft 1m 7f 36y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
didn't jump with fluency, held up in rear, awkward jump 1st, headway and disputing third 8th, left in second 4 out |
13/2 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £22.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £24.78 |
| Tricast | £120.42 |
| Trifecta | £110.00 |
Selections
Daily Mirror:
Red RookieDaily Record:
Red Rookie