17.30
SoftMaureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £60387.5
- 3m 5f 201y
- Class 1
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
2/1 (Won)
- Win: £2.88
- Place: £1.60
Form: O-312F BF
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope. |
20/1 |
|
2 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 8y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form. |
5/2 |
9/4
- Place: £1.60
Form: 1P6-11
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Stablemate of Gaelic Warrior; record of 3-6 over fences features a very useful performance at Tramore (2m7f, heavy) on New Year's Day; subsequently came up short in the Irish Gold Cup, taking overall Grade 1 form figures to P6P6; still has something to prove at this level. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Stablemate of Gaelic Warrior; record of 3-6 over fences features a very useful performance at Tramore (2m7f, heavy) on New Year's Day; subsequently came up short in the Irish Gold Cup, taking overall Grade 1 form figures to P6P6; still has something to prove at this level. |
8/1 |
|
6th 2 |
1st Feb 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 70y |
11st 10lb |
led narrowly or disputed lead, prominent 3rd |
12/1 |
20/1
Form: 2P4-31 D
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Usually goes well in the mud; last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National and he rallied to go very close against Twig in the 3m2f Becher over these fences on first outing this term; while there was so much to admire to that point, he's cracked with alarming speed in 3m and 4m1f races on his last two outings. |
66/1 |
|
1 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 4m 1f 56y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Hugely the class act in this field and last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National; rallied to go very close in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f) on first outing this season; he wasn't going almost immediately once headed (fairly early stage) last time, which is a nagging worry despite that race being over just 3m; soft or heavy ground is ideal but there's no doubting his strength in stamina and that factor is key. |
7/1 |
|
1 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Needs soft/heavy ground; grand stayer who completed a notable hat-trick (3m1f-4m2f) last term, culminating in Midlands National win; went very close in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f) in sole outing this season, showing further progress on the figures; the weather has interrupted plans since; respected, with a slog at the trip on the cards. |
13/8 |
10/1
Form: 1-3332
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 2lb |
prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong |
20/1 |
|
11 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 2lb |
prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong |
20/1 |
|
6th 6 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Creditable efforts in defeat in Graded novice chases this winter (3m, good/good to soft) and ran well for long way in 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham last month (heavy; beaten 32l); could be in the mix now back down in trip and back in a handicap, provided the removal of cheekpieces isn't an issue. |
12/1 |
9/1
Form: 1-3123 BF
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
22nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Consistent sort who won this two years ago (soft); Panic Attack has better form and she's run just once this season, but that was a solid effort when third of five at Carlisle in November over an inadequate 2m4f (good to soft), and she can give a good account. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form. |
4/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form. |
4/1 |
14/1
Form: 0-5111
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns. |
16/1 |
|
9th 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 2m 7f 185y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted. |
15/2 |
11/2
Form: -11127 BF
Last run: 143 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 154
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
24th Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 180y |
11st 11lb |
Eight-time winner who compiled winning sequences for Gordon Elliott in 2022 and 2023; second to Good Time Jonny in 2023 Pertemps Final; also finished second in this race in 2023; absent since stable debut in a hurdle race last December. |
16/1 |
|
17th 1 |
28th Dec 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 80y |
11st 12lb |
Eight-time winner (including four over hurdles) who compiled good winning sequences for Gordon Elliott in 2022 and 2023; second to Good Time Jonny in 2023 Pertemps Final; also finished second in 2023 in Kerry National; took runner-up spot again in Mayo National; now with Barry Connell. |
12/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £5.40 |
| Straight Forecast | £5.52 |
| Trifecta | £42.60 |
Selections
The Times:
Embassy GardensD Express:
Embassy GardensDaily Mirror:
Embassy GardensDaily Record:
Embassy Gardens