12.20
SoftFeeling Festive Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £4470.3
- 2m 4f 35y
- Class 4
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: -22286 C
Last run: 14 days
W: 12st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 6 |
1st Jan 2024 Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Very well handicapped on some of last year's placed form but returned from break with three below-par runs in the autumn and needs to turn a corner; won a heavy-ground hurdle in France in 2021 but may be best suited by good ground. |
16/1 |
|
7th 7 |
14th Dec 2023 Soft 2m 7f 3y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Runner-up four times over fences at up to 2m5f during the spring/summer but below par in a hurdle race/chase at Wincanton since returning from a break; up in trip; others have less to prove. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 213-84 D
Last run: 162 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
1st Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Generally very disappointing since returning from long absence in the autumn but took step back in right direction when respectable fourth (just behind Onehundredneighty) at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month and remains very well handicapped. |
11/2 |
|
4th 2 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Dual 2m3f chase winner at start of 2024 (heavy/good to soft) but out of sorts since returning from long layoff this season; reverts to hurdling on tempting mark but needs a revival. |
20/1 |
|
7th 11 |
27th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Began 2024 with two 2m3f Exeter wins and was subsequently placed over C&D; very well handicapped on those heroics but returned from long layoff with three disappointing runs this season and needs a revival; swaps usual cheekpieces for blinkers. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-3578
Last run: 8 days
W: 11st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
29th Nov 2023 Good 3m 1f 44y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Well weighted on plenty of form but has always been a frustrating sort, as reflected by his overall strike-rate (1-27); his two efforts this autumn don't suggest a second win is imminent. |
7/1 |
|
7th 5 |
8th Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
prominent, overjumped 9th, outpaced and lost position 14th, weakened 3 out |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 55P1F- D BF
Last run: 236 days
W: 11st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
16th Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Still to get his head in front this term and he made mistakes when trailing in last of eight in 2m5f Hereford handicap chase 20 days ago; others appeal more. |
4/1 |
|
1 |
16th Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Still to get his head in front this term and he made mistakes when trailing in last of eight in 2m5f Hereford handicap chase 20 days ago; others appeal more. |
4/1 |
|
8th 1 |
27th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Won this last year (good to soft) and has run well in defeat on two of his last three starts, most recently at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) this month; he's a strong candidate today. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -72533
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
8th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
disputed lead |
6/1 |
|
4th 3 |
8th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
disputed lead |
6/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
8th Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 5f 82y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Perhaps flattered to win quite so convincingly over fences here two runs back (2m4f, soft) and was then a remote third again here after going up 9lb; 5lb lower for this return to hurdling and Gearoid Harney takes off a further 7lb, so has a chance at the weights. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P/1B3- BF
Last run: 303 days
W: 11st 0lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
26th May 2025 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Four-time chase winner who is suited by good ground; out of form for Henry Oliver during the winter, but makes stable debut from a good mark and may have been refreshed by combination of new regime and 96-day break. |
7/1 |
|
1st 1 |
26th May 2025 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Four-time chase winner who is suited by good ground; out of form for Henry Oliver during the winter, but makes stable debut from a good mark and may have been refreshed by combination of new regime and 96-day break. |
7/1 |
|
3 |
19th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 1y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
A four-time chase winner who was in a good run of form last year but seems to have lost her way; was struggling when falling four out at Ludlow. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3PP1-2
Last run: 16 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
9th Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Has five wins over fences including one over C&D; below form on his last two starts but may show improvement on this better ground. |
12/1 |
|
5 |
16th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 157y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
2lb below his Windsor success in November but he's not matched that level since, latest when well held at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last month; needs the return to better ground to spark a revival. |
25/1 |
Verdict
The lowly weighted School For Scandal could prove all the better for his recent comeback run at Fakenham, meaning that he’s likely to represent a tough test to the returning GRIZZLY JAMES. However, a marginal preference is for the Venetia Williams-trained runner, who ended last season on a broadly upward trajectory. [Mark Rowntree]
Selections
D Express:
Bolsover BillThe Star:
Bolsover BillDaily Record:
School For ScandalTOPSPEED:
Balko Saint