12.35
HeavyBruce Farms Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £26405
- 4m 0f 90y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 5471-1
Last run: 35 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
26th Apr 2024 Soft 3m 6f 121y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Won 3m/3m2f handicaps on testing ground last year but has been struggling of late and cheekpieces didn't work wonders for him last time; no headgear here but others have more pressing claims. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1P3-0P C
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
30th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 1f 54y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
12yo who is without a win since December 2023 but he ran his best race for some time when fourth at Carlisle (3m2f, soft) in November and when seventh at Ayr last time he was back up in grade; his mark continues to fall and this front-runner, who has won here, could make a bold bid. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 3133-P CD
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 8lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
10st 3lb |
Rated much higher back in the day but she was out of form last season and no sign of turning things around this campaign. |
25/1 |
|
11 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
10st 3lb |
in rear |
25/1 |
|
7 |
9th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 110y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
never going well, always behind, pulled up after 9th |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /31/23
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Lightly raced 11yo who isn't particularly solid, having failed to complete in three of his last four appearances; it remains a long time since his sole chase win; however, drops in grade off an attractive mark on best form. |
10/1 |
|
9 |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 10y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Well handicapped on old form but he's not seen much action in recent years and has been pulled up or tailed off in his last three runs; this is only second start for current yard but he needs a major revival after another wind operation; cheekpieces added. |
25/1 |
|
5th 10 |
25th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 5f 142y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
Well handicapped on old form but has pulled up the last twice on the back of long absences; new trainer fits a tongue-tie. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22P-10 C
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
22nd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 96y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action. |
8/1 |
|
6th 2 |
22nd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 96y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action. |
8/1 |
|
1 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 7f 199y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Has a good record fresh, winning first time after a summer break for last two seasons; won over 3m off this at Ayr in October but not quite at his best since; close fourth of five to Breeze Of Wind in this race 12 months ago. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 6225-1 C
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
29th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 6f 70y Class 3 |
11st 0lb |
Came good over fences at fourth attempt, with hard-fought course win (2m7f, good to soft) on last month's seasonal debut; drew clear of the others with the runner-up that day and a 5lb rise ought to be manageable. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1538-8 C
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
24th Feb 2024 Heavy 4m 1f 56y Class 2 |
10st 3lb |
The new visor (kept since, replacing cheekpieces) worked a treat when he won at Kelso (3m2f, heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; he hasn't sparked that often in the last two years, though, showing little on latest outing; beaten just over 20l when sixth and fifth in the last two Eiders, so others look more solid. |
14/1 |
|
5th 4 |
24th Jan 2024 Soft 3m 1f 54y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
The new visor worked a treat when winning a 3m2f handicap at Kelso (heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; 4lb rise won't prevent another bold show if he's as good again (not guaranteed). |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: P4P-61 C
Last run: 11 days
W: 10st 13lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
13th Feb 2024 Soft 3m 0f 70y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Stayed on gamely to score at Kelso (3m2f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) in November but was below that form the following month (albeit on heavy ground) and has become difficult to predict; younger rivals appeal more. |
12/1 |
|
5th 7 |
23rd Dec 2023 Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
10st 3lb |
Returned to hurdling for last two starts and it paid off last time when he was always front rank to win seven-runner race at Kelso (3m2f, soft; acts on heavy); tongue tied for the first time that day, so maybe he's turned a corner; back up 3lb but his form of previous seasons (up to last December) was significantly better. |
4/1 |
Verdict
The shortlist is headed by the comparatively unexposed contenders GENTLEMAN DE MAI and Bali Body in that order of preference. The selection scored here last month and looks open to further improvement, while the second choice is lightly raced and has returned from a layoff in promising form. Last year’s winner Flower Of Scotland is third choice, ahead of Destiny Is All.[Steve Boow]