14.45
SoftWilliam Hill Castleford Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £13202.5
- 1m 7f 36y
- Class 2
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: 401-67 CD
Last run: 32 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
17th Sep 2025 Good 2m 1f 14y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable. |
8/1 |
|
2 |
20th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 213y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected. |
10/1 |
|
4th 3 |
29th Jun 2025 Good 1m 7f 214y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3P-627 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
17th May 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation. |
20/1 |
|
1 |
17th May 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5P-513 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts. |
7/1 |
|
1 |
9th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 213y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race. |
9/4 |
|
2nd 2 |
24th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 201y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3P/15- D BF
Last run: 389 days
W: 11st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 4 |
18th Jul 2026 Good 2m 5f 89y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Wasn't disgraced in finishing third of six over 2m4f at Uttoxeter on stable debut but he's not as good as he was and an 11yo now. |
50/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
24th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Smart at his best for Olly Murphy but last season never got off the ground and he's moved yards. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 12-413 D BF
Last run: 4 days
W: 10st 13lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 2m 3f 83y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break. |
8/1 |
|
4 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 2m 3f 83y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break. |
8/1 |
|
9 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 104y Class 2 |
11st 1lb
|
|
Abandoned
Form: 4243-2 CD
Last run: 39 days
W: 10st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
7th Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 15y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Regressive 11yo; returned from layoff with two disappointing runs in February and absent for another 101 days since but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and is too well handicapped to rule out. |
12/1 |
|
6th 5 |
26th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 85y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
always behind |
16/1 |
|
10th 9 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 85y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
High-class hurdler in his prime but it's now over three years since his latest win; ended last season with some very respectable efforts and resumes on a tempting mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 31P4-4
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 5 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 7lb |
Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form. |
5/2 |
|
5 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 46-329
Last run: 40 days
W: 10st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
7th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far. |
14/1 |
|
3 |
7th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far. |
14/1 |
|
5th 2 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 1f 14y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
in touch with leaders, weakened 5 out |
7/2 |
Verdict
The Olly Murphy-trained GUNSIGHT RIDGE has an absence to defy but he goes well fresh and returns to action with his yard in fine form. He is the selection ahead of Gold Des Bois, who is better than he showed at Cheltenham last time, and Xcitations.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Gunsight RidgeTOPSPEED:
Cornerstone LadPOSTDATA:
Gold Des BoisRP RATINGS:
Gunsight RidgeThe Times:
Gunsight RidgeTelegraph:
Gunsight RidgeD Express:
Gunsight RidgeThe Sun:
Gunsight RidgeThe Star:
Gunsight RidgeDaily Mirror:
Gold Des BoisThe Guardian:
Cornerstone LadDaily Mail:
Cornerstone LadDaily Record:
Cornerstone Lad