16.05
SoftDerek Thomas Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £7921.5
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 4
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 7U31 D
Last run: 18 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Ran below his mark even when placing over the winter, and none the wiser as to his staying credentials after a subdued effort behind Tiger Orchid at Wetherby latest (3m); tongue-tie added on this stable debut. |
16/1 |
|
7th 3 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 26y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces). |
8/1 |
|
4th 2 |
24th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 66y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
He hasn't kicked on since going close off 2lb higher on his reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October; also effective on soft/good to soft; however, he didn't run badly at Taunton recently and is not ruled out. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P-P164 D
Last run: 60 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 16y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Six-time hurdle winner who hit a personal best when scoring at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs; has bit to prove again and this is competitive on this drop back in trip. |
14/1 |
|
8th 2 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 2m 3f 179y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Showed career-best form when comfortably winning from Bourbali at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January and a subsequent lesser effort on heavy ground there is not viewed harshly; has been ridden by a good 7lb claimer lately, though, and might find others better handicapped. |
9/2 |
|
5th 5 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 104y Class 3 |
11st 1lb |
Has done very well over 2m3f here in recent months, winning twice and second in between; those results were achieved on good/good to soft and today's much deeper ground is a slight concern given he's been below par on both hurdle outings on heavy. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 634-1P D
Last run: 138 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 5f 110y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back. |
16/1 |
|
6th 2 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 5f 110y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 31-075 D
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
20th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 0f 145y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track. |
20/1 |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 0f 145y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track. |
20/1 |
|
6th 11 |
2nd Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Won a junior hurdle in early 2023 and remains lightly raced but began chasing career with two very disappointing runs in December and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this handicap hurdle debut. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 9-3324
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 1lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
25th Jul 2025 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Made all to win by 12l at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January, despite racing too freely, but was hit quite hard by the handicapper for that and was safely held on both subsequent outings (2m5f/2m7f). |
14/1 |
|
6th 3 |
7th Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Didn't settle but still recorded an easy Wincanton win under Harry Cobden in January (2m4f, heavy); contested lead and 11lb rise found him out latest, and at least one of those will be an issue again here. |
8/1 |
|
7th 11 |
9th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Made it 14th-time lucky under rules with a powerful front-running display at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January, winning by 12l; rider's 10lb claim useful in view of his 11lb higher mark, but whether things will work out so favourably this time remains to be seen. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: B7-543
Last run: 81 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
27th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Won the 2m6f handicap on this card 12 months ago and returned to form with a 2l success over that same trip on Monday (following a wind operation); did that comfortably and must have every chance under a penalty. |
9/4 |
|
1st 5 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 31y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Won this race in 2025 (good ground) and followed up over C&D (good to soft) two days later; suffered dip in form afterwards but shaped quite well before weakening into sixth in competitive series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March and returns to this track on an attractive mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); good chance. |
7/2 |
|
6th 12 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Won over C&D (good to soft) last February and add two wins at Cartmel in May; he's 6lb below his last winning mark but has failed to shine on his three outings since November, over C&D most recently. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-0649
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
26th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 145y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Came good with two good-ground hurdle wins this spring (2m3f/2m); slightly disappointing when only third of six at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last week but may yet have a bit more to offer. |
2/1 |
|
5 |
26th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 145y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Came good with two good-ground hurdle wins this spring (2m3f/2m); slightly disappointing when only third of six at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last week but may yet have a bit more to offer. |
2/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
17th May 2025 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Confidence never higher following wins in two tactical affairs of late, beating Granny B about 7l over C&D latest (good); 8lb higher in a better race, but plenty in his favour again otherwise. |
11/10 |
Abandoned
Form: 743178 D
Last run: 60 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 (10) |
29th Aug 2025 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Struggling over hurdles last winter and lots to prove returned to the Flat after a break; 1m winner in October 2022. |
50/1 |
Verdict
Cheltenham entry INTO THE PARK brings significant potential into his handicap debut after dotting up at Newbury and he has the build to deal with 12st. Our Follet (second choice) retains potential back over hurdles and the handicap debutants Gentleman Jacques and Highway One O Five could have career bests lurking.[Alistair Jones]