13.50
SoftBetfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £45560
- 1m 7f 99y
- Class 1
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
16/1 (Won)
- Win: £17.00
- Place: £3.90
Form: 330-11 C
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied. |
16/1 |
|
8 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied. |
16/1 |
|
5 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 8y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Record of 4-7 over fences includes a Grade 1 novice win last term and impressive handicap performance at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; perhaps unsuited by the return to Cheltenham last time; has something to find at the weights but looks interesting as a second-season chaser who could rate higher still. |
16/1 |
7/2
- Place: £1.50
Form: 1412-1 C
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
1 |
27th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
|
7/4
Form: /15-1U D BF
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 99y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Form since upped to 2m4f comprises a handicap win at Musselburgh and fourth-place finishes in Grade 1 events at Cheltenham and Aintree; return to shorter may not be an issue but he ideally needs a drop back in class. |
16/1 |
|
4th 4 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Proved his stamina when readily defying top weight in handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January, and he was disputing the lead entering the straight in the Ryanair at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month only to fade up the hill; beaten just over 16l by the winner Heart Wood but today's less demanding track should be a big plus; not ruled out each-way. |
14/1 |
|
4th 7 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Made short work of conceding plenty of weight in his first 2m4f chase - a Musselburgh handicap (good to soft) in January - and with his best sibling staying 3m well, there's a fair chance he'll cope with this much stiffer test at the trip; however, his three previous Festival runs, including a 2m handicap last year, suggest he'll be pushed to play a part in this company. |
33/1 |
10/1
Form: 2P57-2
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 17 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 2lb |
Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run. |
10/1 |
|
7th 10 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted. |
20/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 16y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner. |
10/1 |
7/2
Form: 353-15
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
1st May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well. |
2/5 |
|
4th 22 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out. |
4/1 |
|
1st 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level. |
5/4 |
9/2
Form: 214-13 C BF
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 2 |
9th Dec 2023 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
in touch with leaders, stumbled 1st, broke down and pulled up quickly 5 out, fatally injured |
9/2 |
|
3rd 1 |
21st Oct 2023 Soft 2m 0f 75y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
took keen hold, jumped well, led, faced challenge 3 out, soon headed, no extra when lost second after 2 out, weakened before last, eased run-in |
8/11 |
|
1st 1 |
2nd Oct 2023 Soft 2m 0f 75y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
made all, took keen hold, 8 lengths ahead 3rd, good jump 7th, reduced lead 8th, faced challenge but going best 3 out, not fluent 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, easily |
11/10 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £43.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £48.10 |
| Trifecta | £146.10 |