12.40
Good To SoftTimeform Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £20812
- 2m 4f 127y
- Class 2
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
3/1 (Won)
- Win: £5.00
- Place: £2.30
Form: 23-711 CD
Last run: 43 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
|
7th 7 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
|
7th 2 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Powerful front-runner when on song, as when winning twice over C&D (soft and good to soft) last midwinter before finishing an honourable runner-up in Grade 1 novice at the Festival; had some problems since but said to be showing better signs at home of late and is weighted to have a say, off just 2lb higher than the latest win; a revival could be on the way. |
10/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.20
Form: 121-23 D BF
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 1lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Launched chasing career with three good runs last season but fell next time and suffered heavy defeats in his three starts since; this should be a good mark but plenty now seems to depend on January's wind surgery. |
5/1 |
|
4th 2 |
10th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Launched chasing career with three good runs last season, most notably when chasing home subsequent dual Grade 1 runner-up Ginny's Destiny at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) in January; holds strong claims here if judged on that evidence but was a disappointing favourite when returned to Cheltenham for seasonal debut in October and needs to rebound. |
4/1 |
|
4th 2 |
10th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Launched chasing career with three good runs last season, most notably when chasing home subsequent dual Grade 1 runner-up Ginny's Destiny at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) in January; holds strong claims here if judged on that evidence but was a disappointing favourite when returned to Cheltenham for seasonal debut in October and needs to rebound. |
4/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.40
Form: /3-323 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Has more to prove than the other 11yos in this field, with form this season suggesting that age may be catching up with him and virtually all of his chase outings at 2m4f; it remains to be seen whether this longer trip sparks a resurgence. |
10/1 |
|
6th 7 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Has some strong handicap form to his name and this isn't quite so demanding as Cheltenham's feature 2m4f early-season handicaps; he is now 11 and the handicapper hasn't been overly generous is dropping him just 3lb for those heavy defeats, but unwise to put a line through him. |
25/1 |
|
5th 18 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
in touch with leaders |
33/1 |
20/1
Form: 7-2331 D
Last run: 43 days
W: 10st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Northern runner who has looked as good as ever in winning two of his last three races, taking chase record to 6-18; did it quite readily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) latest; ran respectably at Newbury in November; likely player in current form. |
5/1 |
|
1st 3 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 19y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
5-17 over fences and his win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day was up there with his best efforts; ran poorly at Cheltenham four weeks later but in the mix if bouncing back. |
5/1 |
25/1
Form: 5P02-P D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Winless away from galloping tracks, but recorded some of his best RPRs in Graded chases around Kempton and the Mildmay Course; still capable of fairly useful form little more than a year ago, and right in the mix if racing more sparingly with the hood debuted latest quickly discarded. |
2/1 |
|
1 |
24th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 6f 151y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Has made the frame in a couple of points this winter for new yard; fairly useful for previous stable and, accordingly, is one of the main players on ratings in this hunter chase debut; hood applied. |
9/1 |
|
11 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
towards rear |
14/1 |
5/1
Form: 19-221 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Has shown good form for new stable, mostly in handicaps, including at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f); defied top weight at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) most recently, looking better than ever; leading chance at the weights in his bid for a second Grade 2 success. |
7/4 |
|
1st 1 |
2nd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
This 8yo arrives in career-best form after his staying-on efforts in Newbury's Greatwood Gold Cup (2m4f) and the Ultima at Cheltenham (3m1f; again on good to soft; won on good); has to be feared, for all that he's 4lb higher than for those runs and 2m3f is on the tight side for him. |
5/2 |
|
4th 12 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Kept on well for third in handicap at Ascot (3m, good) in November and creditable third of six on stable debut in Grade 1 Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft) last month, before close second in handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) ten days ago; he was 10l clear of the third last time and is 4lb ahead of the handicapper off the same mark today; the step back up in trip could be a firm plus and he showed promise here last April; one to consider seriously. |
12/1 |
20/1
Form: /642-1 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
24th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 54y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Last month's near-5l third at Kempton was his most convincing effort to date both over 3m and on good ground, but also took his record in handicaps off marks in the 120s to 0-8; still needs to find a bit more. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
14th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Has won on good to soft and heavy; made light of an absence when winning at Southwell in December but he found little at Ludlow (also 2m4f) last month and has yet to distinguish himself over this far; reservations remain; yard won this in 2019. |
9/2 |
|
4th 3 |
4th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
His second win over fences when returning from a long absence to take a 2m4f handicap at Southwell (good to soft; won on heavy) in mid-December; that race fell apart in behind but a 4lb rise isn't the end of the world. |
11/2 |
16/1
Form: 1P223F
Last run: 42 days
W: 10st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 (4) |
28th Jan 2026 Standard 1m 2f 150y |
9st 11lb |
Dual winner over both hurdles and fences albeit some time ago; returned from 277-day absence for current yard in October, well held on the Flat and twice over hurdles; belated AW debut and only second career Flat start. |
13/2 |
|
11th 13 (15) |
21st Oct 2025 Soft 1m 4f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Useful four-time jumps winner; has never run on the Flat and lacks a recent outing; has moved from Gavin Cromwell to Paul Flynn. |
50/1 |
|
4th 5 |
17th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 89y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Has modest 2-36 strike-rate over fences but is largely consistent and has been as good as ever this season; not beaten far when seventh in competitive Leopardstown handicap (2m1f, good to yielding) just after Christmas and should be fine over today's longer trip; ought to be on the premises. |
15/2 |
14/1
Form: 3-1554 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 8lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| 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 |
7/1
Form: 21-134 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
towards rear |
10/1 |
|
5th 3 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
towards rear |
10/1 |
|
1st 4 |
18th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Became rather disappointing after winning over 2m4f here 13 months ago but got himself firmly back on track when making most of the running at Exeter (3m, good) and battling on best; a 3lb rise is no hardship; chance. |
2/1 |
9/1
Form: 2P2-21
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Won twice last season (2m1f/2m2f, good to soft) and he's dropped below his last winning mark; this 7yo represents Nicky Henderson and has plenty of time to get his career back on track but he's struggled this season, most recently back over hurdles in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces now go on. |
16/1 |
|
9 |
11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Won twice last season (2m1f/2m2f, good to soft) and he's dropped below his last winning mark; this 7yo represents Nicky Henderson and has plenty of time to get his career back on track but he's struggled this season, most recently back over hurdles in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces now go on. |
16/1 |
|
2 |
12th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 154y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
The wheels have rather come off over fences, after last season had started so well, and he's now back over hurdles with first-time headgear applied; nothing wrong with his mark if he can get back on track. |
7/1 |
14/1
Form: 33-311 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached. |
12/1 |
|
3 |
28th Mar 2026 Good 2m 6f 125y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred. |
10/1 |
|
4 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected. |
10/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £28.80 |
| Straight Forecast | £28.41 |
| Tricast | £151.76 |
| Trifecta | £184.40 |
Selections
POSTDATA:
Blow Your WadThe Times:
TightenourbeltsSPOTLIGHT:
Ginny's DestinyD Express:
Es PerfectoLAMBOURN:
Persian TimeRP RATINGS:
Charles RitzThe Star:
BowtogreatnessTOPSPEED:
Railway HurricaneDaily Mirror:
Blow Your WadDaily Record:
Blow Your WadTelegraph:
TightenourbeltsThe Guardian:
Tightenourbelts