14.25
SoftJohnston Smillie Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4356.8
- 2m 0f 51y
- Class 4
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
4/1 (Won)
- Win: £4.10
- Place: £1.30
Form: 4
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend. |
33/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 37y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders. |
9/1 |
2/1
- Place: £1.10
Form: 217-12 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
25th May 2024 Soft 2m 1f 61y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
3-5 in slow-ground novice hurdles at around 2m last season; drew clear of a useful rival at Hexham last month and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences for this handicap debut; respected. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
25th May 2024 Soft 2m 1f 61y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
3-5 in slow-ground novice hurdles at around 2m last season; drew clear of a useful rival at Hexham last month and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences for this handicap debut; respected. |
7/2 |
|
1st 1 |
22nd Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 48y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
led at steady pace, clear with one other after 3rd, headed 2 out, pushed along before last, led again run-in, pushed out final 110yds, won going away |
2/1 |
16/1
- Place: £2.30
Form: 56
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 110y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
Made it two wins for the season when scoring over C&D (soft) in January and bounced back from lesser run here when 1l second of five over C&D (soft) last month; could give another good account but he needs to be better than ever back up in grade if he's to win today. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 110y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Two wins this season, on good ground at Kelso and soft over C&D; still on a competitive mark if a line can be put through his latest effort when tailed off over this C&D. |
5/2 |
11/10
Form: 17 D
Last run: 83 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
28 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
Exploited a reduced mark to win easily in a small field at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month and he's also effective on good/good to soft ground; his yard has done very well over these fences but from out of the handicap he's running off a mark 12lb higher than last time, and needs a career best. |
20/1 |
|
1st 5 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Yet to win this season but put two below-par runs behind him when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft; also suited by soft) a fortnight ago and remains on a good mark; one to consider. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 7 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 19y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Two wins in small-field chases last season and ran creditably on his first two outings this term; those, however, have been followed by two heavy defeats; well handicapped were he to revive but he's not proven beyond 2m1f. |
16/1 |
50/1
Form: 3-978
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
9th Jun 2024 Good 2m 0f 47y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Easily his closest finish since debut came when second of 13 over C&D (soft) in April latest, in his second handicap; had wind surgery one month ago; considered. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
25th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 0f 47y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Third in a Kelso bumper on debut last April (2m, good); fairly ordinary form over hurdles, including on handicap debut at Ayr last time (2m, good to soft); improvement needed. |
15/2 |
|
2nd 7 |
25th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 0f 47y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Third in a Kelso bumper on debut last April (2m, good); fairly ordinary form over hurdles, including on handicap debut at Ayr last time (2m, good to soft); improvement needed. |
15/2 |
25/1
Form: 24/89
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
1st Jul 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Made promising handicap debut when fourth at Kelso (2m5f, good; first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces) in May and has claims if judged on that evidence, but needs to bounce back from last month's poor run. |
10/1 |
|
6th 7 |
7th Jun 2024 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Unexposed 6yo who made promising handicap debut when fourth of 16 at Kelso (2m5f, good; first-time cheekpieces/tongue-tie) last month; 2lb lower here; no surprise if he makes the necessary progress. |
7/1 |
|
4th 12 |
8th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 189y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
took keen hold, midfield, not fluent 5th, headway after 4 out, weakened approaching last |
10/1 |
66/1
Form: 5676-
Last run: 496 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
2nd Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
0-11; ran respectably when up against it in a maiden last time and has brighter prospects at this level; others still appeal more. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
2nd Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
0-11; ran respectably when up against it in a maiden last time and has brighter prospects at this level; others still appeal more. |
6/1 |
|
3 |
15th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 47y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Made the frame four consecutive times over hurdles in early part of last season, once over C&D (good to firm) off his lowly handicap mark; absent since September and not favoured by the weights today but might collect another minor prize. |
16/1 |
100/1
Form: 7-0
Last run: 97 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 14 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 48y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
midfield |
66/1 |
|
13 |
28th Oct 2024 Good 2m 3f 110y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Showed no significant promise at huge prices in three novice/maiden hurdles (2m-2m3f) towards end of last season; significant improvement is needed on this handicap debut. |
16/1 |
|
13 |
28th Oct 2024 Good 2m 3f 110y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Showed no significant promise at huge prices in three novice/maiden hurdles (2m-2m3f) towards end of last season; significant improvement is needed on this handicap debut. |
16/1 |
100/1
Form: 6P6-
Last run: 294 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 (7) |
16th Nov 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
8st 13lb |
led at steady pace |
20/1 |
|
7th 7 (7) |
16th Nov 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
8st 13lb |
led at steady pace |
20/1 |
|
7th 7 |
6th Sep 2024 Good 2m 0f 145y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Fair on the Flat in 2022 but has not shown a great deal over hurdles; unseated rider at fourth flight when 125-1 for handicap hurdle debut in May; returns from 108-day break here. |
50/1 |
Non-runners
Breizh River
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £10.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £8.47 |
| Trifecta | £37.90 |