12.40
SoftMichael Costello Memorial Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £7921.5
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 4
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
6/4 (Won)
- Win: £3.00
- Place: £1.10
Form: 43-123 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 11lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Can make mistakes but he was runner-up twice in a row prior to winning a quality handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January, when clear with subsequent Ultima runner-up Jagwar; a 5lb rise for that career-best performance isn't harsh and he's entitled to respect. |
5/2 |
|
1st 7 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 8lb |
Hard to knock in terms of consistency and he again ran creditably when second of seven at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) on Welsh National day; however, he's prone to the odd mistake and may not get away with them on his first run over fences at Cheltenham. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 2m 3f 83y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Struck form over fences at start of this year, winning over 2m3f on soft ground at Exeter and Chepstow; subsequent 261-day break may have checked his momentum but further progress is possible this season. |
4/1 |
3/1
- Place: £1.30
Form: 1321-3 D BF
Last run: 60 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
19th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 178y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Won this last year when 2lb higher (good); ran well in fifth of 15 at Catterick in January, when not quite seeing out the 2m3f trip, and he unseated mid-race there last time; could have a big part to play. |
4/1 |
|
5 |
9th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 156y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
All three wins on good ground but some useful form on soft; first win for this yard at Sedgefield (2m1f; off 2lb higher) last March but he's needed some excuses since; should be suited by the return to a shorter trip but will need to be right on his game to win today. |
8/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 66y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Beaten upwards of 12l in four starts since winning in a tongue-tie at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in March; stays this trip and he's back down to that winning mark, though; hood (reapplied last time) comes off again. |
16/1 |
9/1
- Place: £3.40
Form: 44
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
27th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 104y Class 2 |
10st 3lb |
Can be a bit in and out but he stuck to his task and just got the better of Le Galli Bier for second last time at Plumpton (2m4f, soft); however, the winner left both behind and this 9yo is off the same mark. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
23rd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 166y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Rather in and out since winning at Fontwell in December 2024, but he was in the process of running one of his better races when falling at the second last at Lingfield (2m4f, heavy) 18 days ago; likely to play a part if none the worse for that experience. |
4/1 |
|
4 |
5th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
10st 12lb |
Seemed to find 2m7f too taxing here last month but had arguably been fortunate to escape with just a small nudge up the weights for his clear second at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve, and this drop back in trip looks the right move. |
13/2 |
8/1
Form: 3326-1 D
Last run: 55 days
W: 12st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
18th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 49y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
raced lazily at times, in touch with leaders, mistake and jockey unbalanced 2nd, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost position before 4 out, soon no impression, tailed off |
6/1 |
|
6th 1 |
15th Feb 2024 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
3-13 over hurdles and largely reliable, with no ground worries; won what was effectively a match on reappearance at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) in November and ran creditably at Warwick on sole start since; relatively exposed but firmly in calculations. |
4/1 |
8/1
Form: 437-24 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
24th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
prominent, lost ground after 2nd, towards rear when fell 7th |
25/1 |
|
1 |
24th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
prominent, lost ground after 2nd, towards rear when fell 7th |
25/1 |
|
11 |
29th Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
mistake 8th |
16/1 |
14/1
Form: /155-4 D
Last run: 62 days
W: 11st 13lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
15th May 2024 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid. |
8/1 |
|
1 |
15th May 2024 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid. |
8/1 |
|
1st 1 |
17th Mar 2024 Soft 1m 7f 171y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Veteran; fair fourth at Sandown in November (2m, soft) but rather disappointing since (hung and jumped right-handed before being pulled up at Chepstow last time); return to this right-handed track should suit; a bit to prove. |
16/1 |
16/1
Form: 316P D
Last run: 25 days
W: 10st 11lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
19th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 48y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Scored in pretty good style at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in November and today's 4lb higher mark is probably workable but not much has gone to plan since and he arrives here with a bit to prove. |
4/1 |
|
4 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 1m 7f 50y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Good-ground C&D winner in November, despite racing a bit too freely; just over 19l behind Thankyouandplease over C&D this month but his margin of defeat was magnified by a last-flight jumping error and the good to soft ground probably wasn't ideal for him; he has a nice pull in the weights today and the services of top military rider Jody Sole. |
5/1 |
|
9th 4 |
5th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Scored over C&D (good) in November, despite racing too freely; looked a non-stayer over 2m4f on next outing and had soft ground as his excuse last time but others appeal more all the same. |
14/1 |
50/1
Form: 0/PF-0
Last run: 67 days
W: 10st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
22nd Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Maiden hurdle runner-up for Nicky Henderson in December 2021 but lightly raced since and he struggled on his three starts in 2024; returns from another absence today. |
100/1 |
|
12th 11 |
6th Nov 2024 Good 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched. |
50/1 |
|
12th 11 |
6th Nov 2024 Good 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched. |
50/1 |
11/1
Form: 13/
Last run: 1070 days
W: 12st 1lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
2nd Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Smart on the Flat in his heyday and won a novice hurdle in 2020 but, following a mammoth absence, looked reluctant to race and never really got involved when 50-1 for last month's stable/handicap hurdle debut (first-time blinkers); current ability very hard to gauge. |
33/1 |
|
12th 7 |
3rd Feb 2024 Good To Soft 1m 7f 124y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
Running well at a useful level on the Flat for Keith Dalgleish when last raced in September 2021; had earlier run twice over hurdles, winning a Carlisle novice before a respectable effort raised in class here; comes with risks after so long out (22-1 when unruly at the post for an intended start at Warwick last month) but he's in good hands and couldn't be ruled out; tries blinkers (has run well in a visor). |
25/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £7.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £8.00 |
| Tricast | £63.41 |
| Trifecta | £66.40 |