13.05
Good To SoftSeren Skills Network Ltd EBF ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4955.32
- 2m 3f 1y
- Class 4
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 47425
Last run: 93 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
6th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 161y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Placed in two maidens before struggling on back-to-back visits to Cheltenham, in a handicap and then behind Supreme favourite Old Park Star; this is a lot more realistic. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 25y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Won over 2m5f on heavy here 13 months ago; consistent in defeat this season in handicaps at about this distance, running his usual honest race last time at Ascot; has nudged up the weights so his rider's 7lb claim is welcomed; good to soft is fine but he has a bit to prove on good. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 12 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 123y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Won at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) just under a year ago and has made the frame over 2m7f there on all three starts this season but has a bit more on his plate in this higher grade and needs a career-best effort. |
8/1 |
|
1st 4 |
21st Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, prominent 5th |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-3
Last run: 65 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
2nd May 2026 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Both wins over hurdles have been over C&D, the latest in September off 6lb lower; will have benefited from his recent pipe-opener when fourth at Market Rasen (2m,good) and should run well. |
11/2 |
|
4th 1 |
5th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 125y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Dual winner on good ground at Uttoxeter last summer; still in good form when last seen in the autumn and probably still on a workable mark but has fitness to prove after four months off and recent rain reduces his appeal. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 17-22
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
8th Mar 2025 Good 2m 4f 10y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 882-
Last run: 594 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
29th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 4f 114y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Showed promise in his second hurdle run when runner-up at Perth (2m4f, good; 16-1) in June 2022 but on the sidelines since; left Gordon Elliott for £2,000 and is probably best watched back from a long absence. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-489
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
16th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Maiden who fell in consecutive chases last autumn and was tailed off in 3m handicap hurdle on latest outing in November; has something to prove after a layoff; had wind surgery in March. |
9/1 |
|
2 |
7th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
0-13 over hurdles but was runner-up three consecutive times in the spring (2m3f-2m7f, good); in contention for a place behind a handicap blot before penultimate-fence fall on last month's chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); good chance here if his confidence has not been dented. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P
Last run: 120 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
27th Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Maiden pointer who struggled (albeit on heavy ground) when a big-priced outsider for rules debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f; had wind op soon afterwards) last September. |
100/1 |
|
2 |
27th Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Maiden pointer who struggled (albeit on heavy ground) when a big-priced outsider for rules debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f; had wind op soon afterwards) last September. |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5P
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
10th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 174y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Has no form claims and being 6lb out of the weights is no help; instantly opposed. |
100/1 |
|
9th 11 |
22nd Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 1y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Pulled up on two of his three starts this season, including on chase debut in February and when tried in this headgear combination back over hurdles last time; has undergone wind surgery since but still looks best watched. |
50/1 |
|
11 |
7th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Has shown only the odd sign of ability over hurdles and pulled up on chase debut last month; 5lb out of the handicap back hurdling; cheekpieces (tried once) join the tongue-tie of last three starts. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 763
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Won at 22-1 on chase debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in September on first run since May; disappointing at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October but often runs well after a break and he could be in the mix. |
9/1 |
|
2 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Returned from break to cause 22-1 surprise on last month's chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f, good), keeping on strongly to reel in the leader on the run-in; nudged up only 2lb for that; high on the list. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-P5
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
22nd Oct 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Displayed huge improvement to finish first in Chepstow maiden (2m3f, heavy) in January, only to be demoted to second for causing interference; gained compensation in match race here (2m5f, heavy) the following month and might have more to offer in handicaps this term. |
10/1 |
|
1st 1 |
23rd Feb 2024 Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Left previous form behind when first past the post at 100-1 at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last month, only to be demoted due to interference; needs to confirm that promise today, but leading claims if he can. |
4/11 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
1st Jun 2024 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Failed to build upon quite encouraging handicap hurdle debut (2m4f) when safely held over 3m last month but might be perked up by blinkers here, and his Irish point third in 2023 bodes well for his chasing prospects. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-05
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 5 |
22nd Aug 2024 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
prominent |
6/4 |
|
1st 4 |
21st Jul 2024 Good 2m 3f 98y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won comfortably at Fakenham (2m4f, good) and wilted only on the run-in off this 7lb higher mark at Worcester; only a 5yo and entitled to progress further now sent chasing. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 4 |
1st Jun 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Took a while to get the hang of hurdling but he's thriving now and he won comfortably at Fakenham (2m4f, good) last month; up 7lb but he still has untapped potential and could follow up. |
11/8 |
Abandoned
Form: 35-3
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
30th May 2026 Good To Firm 2m 4f 205y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
After being placed 12 times he gained an overdue success around here (2m3f, good) in March; let down by his jumping at Warwick since but looks sure to be thereabouts. |
7/4 |
|
3rd 2 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Mostly consistent in defeat over hurdles and the same again over fences until digging the deepest under a positive ride at Stratford (2m3f, good; first-time cheekpieces); must have every chance off 4lb higher. |
4/1 |
|
1st 5 |
28th Mar 2026 Good 2m 3f 98y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Consistent over hurdles/fences but she's still to register a victory, runner-up for the third time this season in 2m Leicester handicap chase in December; can't be discounted after a break with cheekpieces added, though. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 08
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 3lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
4th Jul 2025 Good 2m 5f 122y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Low-mileage mare who advanced her form when second of seven in 3m Ffos Las handicap 43 days ago; she can make her presence felt despite taking a 3lb weights rise. |
4/1 |
|
4 |
22nd May 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Back from a break of 151 days to finish an 11l third over Exeter's 2m7f (good to firm), where she looked threatening before flattening out late on; had another 60 days away since then but looks capable of winning something like this. |
11/4 |
Verdict
Diesel Line is better than he showed on his hurdling debut and Two To Tango (second choice) is up to winning races, while Optimistic Joe could be interesting should market vibes bode well. However, everything points to FIRE FLYER taking a lot of beating at this level. He was useful in bumpers, and on his hurdling debut at Newbury he probably bumped into one who is about to make a name for himself.[Alistair Jones]