12.10
SoftBetMGM EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4356.8
- 2m 0f 46y
- Class 4
- 16 runners
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
2nd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 133y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Won at Musselburgh (2m7f, soft) in December and returned to form at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago, when he was narrowly in front when falling two out; won over hurdles here last May and he's on the shortlist. |
5/2 |
|
1 |
19th Mar 2026 Good 2m 5f 28y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
He's failed to shine on his three starts since his chase win at Musselburgh in December, last time tailed off over hurdles here; however, he won three times last year, including over hurdles here, and is not written off. |
5/1 |
|
10th 8 |
19th Feb 2026 2m 3f 188y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Three wins, the first over this C&D on soft, last year; hasn't been at his best on last two starts but has an each-way chance. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 507-8
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
3rd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 149y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Rediscovered winning ways at Ayr (3m, soft; 5-1), that his second run back from a short break; the handicapper has responded with a 7lb rise, but this stablemate of Whiskey On Ice stays well and handles most ground conditions; likely to have a say in the finish. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 9-7
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
7th Mar 2025 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Modest hurdler who fell on his chase debut over C&D last time; plenty to prove. |
14/1 |
|
13 |
11th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Modest efforts in bumpers and over hurdles; needs to improve for the switch to fences; looks stable second string. |
33/1 |
|
13 |
11th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
midfield, fell 7th |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4-
Last run: 230 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
raced lazily at times, prominent, dropped to midfield before 7th, pushed along and led after 3 out, ridden out and went clear run-in |
8/11 |
|
1st 2 |
7th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 32y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
His first three races were for two other yards; ran in three handicaps for current stable, on second occasion coming home strongly from off the pace to win seven-runner race at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) despite some iffy jumping; however, he showed little at Taunton (2m3f, soft) one month ago; very mixed messages, therefore, despite the likely benefit on new trip. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P-
Last run: 290 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 (4) |
28th Dec 2023 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 5 |
9st 7lb |
Makes belated Flat debut after two non-completions over hurdles; very opposable. |
66/1 |
|
0 4 |
17th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 1f 0y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Achieved nothing at Wetherby (2m) in February, having been hindered by greenness and a lack of fluency; had wind surgery since and now goes in/ tongue-tie; may do better this time. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 44
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
prominent on outer, niggled along briefly after 9th, not fluent 5 out, pushed along omitted 5 out, mistake 4 out, weakened after 2 out |
8/1 |
|
4th 5 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
prominent on outer, niggled along briefly after 9th, not fluent 5 out, pushed along omitted 5 out, mistake 4 out, weakened after 2 out |
8/1 |
|
5th 6 |
19th Nov 2024 Good 3m 0f 110y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
prominent, lost ground 8th, lost position before 10th |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2116-2 D BF
Last run: 55 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 26y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
1st Nov 2025 Soft 3m 0f 70y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 11-3 D BF
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 (2) |
21st May 2026 Soft 1m 3f 140y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree in April 2023; well beaten over hurdles on last two starts (stable debut latest) but he's shown some useful form in that code and is an interesting contender on this Flat debut. |
12/1 |
|
8th 8 |
9th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Ex-Nicky Richards; smart bumper performer; has won two of his 17 races over hurdles, but disappointing on last two starts; makes debut for Sandy Thomson. |
12/1 |
|
6th 5 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 189y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Has won only one of his 13 handicaps but twice went very close at the start of the season and 3m possibly stretched his stamina at Musselburgh last time; back to a more suitable trip here and unlikely to be far away. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
11th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 19y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Made it 12th-time lucky over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft; from 2lb lower) three starts back; excuses since - fell, and then out of depth in a valuable Class 2 Series Final at Carlisle; could bounce back with Danny McMenamin returning to the saddle. |
11/4 |
|
10th 12 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Mid-race faller last weekend when bidding for a Newcastle double (maiden under rules previously); ran respectably over C&D in February; 4lb out of weights but could go well with a clear round. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Point winner; won his first race under rules here last time (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for third time); seems equally effective at this trip and should go well off this 3lb higher mark. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
24th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 62y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
held up in rear but in touch with leaders, weakened and lost touch 4 out, pulled up before 3 out |
33/1 |
|
8th 4 |
11th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 3f 66y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Displayed some ability in points but tailed off at 50-1 on rules debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in November and a transformation is needed. |
66/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 76-346
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 93y |
10st 4lb |
Mostly chasing in the last year but was second to Blue Hop reverting to hurdles at Wetherby last time; needs more. |
18/1 |
|
20 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 93y |
10st 4lb |
Mostly chasing in the last year but was second to Blue Hop reverting to hurdles at Wetherby last time; needs more. |
18/1 |
|
2nd 11 |
28th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 56y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Won over hurdles at Southwell last March and fences at Cartmel last May; has dropped to a dangerous mark but he's been inconsistent over fences since that last win; reverts to hurdles and others are more compelling. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 |
7th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Just three runs in novice hurdles and the latest was quite encouraging; beaten a long way on chase/handicap debut but went off at 6-1 and heavy ground might not have helped him. |
14/1 |
|
9th 3 |
7th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Just three runs in novice hurdles and the latest was quite encouraging; beaten a long way on chase/handicap debut but went off at 6-1 and heavy ground might not have helped him. |
14/1 |
|
8th 4 |
15th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 75y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
towards rear, bad mistake and nearly lost jockey 2nd |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3P
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 |
23rd May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 107y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Form of October 2024's Hereford chase debut win (3m1f, good) has been consolidated rather than improved upon; fair record after long absences but realistically needs the wind surgery since last seen to elicit improvement. |
10/1 |
|
5 |
5th Jun 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Scored at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October and ended last season with a pretty good third over that C&D; not always one to rely upon heavily but enters calculations. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 415- D
Last run: 252 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
19th May 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 133y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won twice over fences last year for Rebecca Menzies but four lesser runs since have seen him slip down to his last winning mark; has switched stables since his last run in March and any significant move in the market should be noted. |
9/1 |
|
8th 8 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 207y Class 2 |
10st 8lb |
Won this 12 months ago off 2lb lower on the back of a wind operation; got himself back on track when not beaten too far at Sedgefield last month so could put up a respectable defence. |
12/1 |
|
4th 4 |
4th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 77y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Won over C&D (soft) last January and followed up at Carlisle (2m, good) in March; very much of interest on that form but he's struggled on both outings this season and needs to turn things around. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 28-
Last run: 224 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
9th Jun 2024 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
in touch with leaders on outer |
9/2 |
|
4th 10 |
15th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Seven-race maiden who has not finished closer than fifth over hurdles and his effort flattened out late on in a 2m4f handicap at Perth (beaten 11l) last month; mark is falling but he needs to find more. |
16/1 |
|
4th 10 |
15th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Seven-race maiden who has not finished closer than fifth over hurdles and his effort flattened out late on in a 2m4f handicap at Perth (beaten 11l) last month; mark is falling but he needs to find more. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice. |
14/1 |
|
1st 3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip. |
11/8 |
|
2nd 3 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 133y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces. |
4/1 |
Verdict
With the Kelso reappearance under his belt, ESPRIT DU POTIER can resume his progress and go one better. Grade 2 bumper winner Florida Dreams is second choice on his second hurdle start. Raffles Wonder and Coastal Rock are interesting seasonal debutants, while rules debutants Young Jack and Benefit Ben are set for an intriguing rematch and look potentially good recruits for their new joint-owners Dave Armstrong and Lee Westwood.[Steve Boow]