13.50
Good To SoftCoral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £28475
- 2m 3f 187y
- Class 1
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
11/8 (Won)
- Win: £2.63
- Place: £1.40
Form: 11163- C BF
Last run: 230 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
3rd Feb 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 10y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
raced in second, chased clear leader after 6th, not fluent 8th, still plenty to do 3 out, 13 lengths down when fell 2 out |
11/10 |
|
2nd 2 |
26th Dec 2023 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won 2m4f Grade 1 Challow Hurdle during last year's festive period; failed to justify favouritism at the spring festivals but had wind surgery prior to his successful chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and that was impressive in many ways; unraced over this far under rules but with his pointing background he should stay well; still unexposed and held in the highest regard by a trainer who has won this five times. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 |
1st Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Below-par favourite in Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but may well benefit from the subsequent wind surgery and he starts this campaign as a major prospect for novice chases; earlier progress culminated in an easy win in the Challow here (2m4f, soft; Grade 1) and that form has worked out well; point winner; leading player. |
11/8 |
9/2
- Place: £2.00
Form: 562-11 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark. |
9/1 |
|
1 |
27th Apr 2024 Good 2m 4f 10y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
took keen hold, led, clear 2nd, not fluent 4th, reduced lead after 6th, mistake 12th, headed just before 3 out, soon weakened quickly and pulled up |
11/4 |
7/1
Form: 4221-1 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
towards rear |
10/1 |
|
5th 3 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
towards rear |
10/1 |
|
1st 4 |
18th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Became rather disappointing after winning over 2m4f here 13 months ago but got himself firmly back on track when making most of the running at Exeter (3m, good) and battling on best; a 3lb rise is no hardship; chance. |
2/1 |
9/2
Form: 5156-1 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
30 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances. |
50/1 |
6/1
Form: 2223-2
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 7 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Two races this autumn (one a 2m4f Grade 2 from The Yellow Clay) were his first wins for ages and he wasn't disgraced on latest outing; third in the 2022 County and fifth in this race last year in his only two handicaps at this meeting, but he's higher in the weights today and is now an 11yo, so can't be the percentage call. |
33/1 |
|
4th 3 |
8th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 5f 180y |
11st 8lb |
Win record has not reflected his ability for much of his career; only one success before this season's victories in a conditions race at Sligo and 2m4f Grade 2 at this venue; needs to bounce back now having been tailed off in the Long Walk at Ascot. |
9/2 |
|
1st 1 |
24th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 112y |
11st 12lb |
Just one win over hurdles but has been placed plenty of times including in graded races; was fifth in the Coral Cup before a fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade 2; was runner-up in this race last year after a similar absence so has to be respected as the top-rated in the field. |
2/1 |
10/1
Form: /1927- D BF
Last run: 231 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
24th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Off a reduced mark he won over 2m4f on good ground at Sandown and some interference didn't help matters when well beaten off this 5lb higher mark in the Swinton; still well treated on old form. |
14/1 |
|
13th 12 |
9th May 2026 Good 1m 7f 144y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Finally took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when winning at Sandown (2m4f, good) two weeks ago, always in the firing line; still well treated on old form but he's not sure to be so effective back over this shorter trip. |
18/1 |
|
1st 11 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 178y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
Kept on for sixth of 21 in first-time visor at Aintree (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and will be suited by this move back up in trip, but his last win came in 2022 and he's patently not the force of old. |
12/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £7.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £7.43 |
| Trifecta | £27.50 |