13.30
SoftGallagher Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £75964.5
- 2m 5f 0y
- Class 1
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
2/5 (Won)
- Win: £1.50
- Place: £1.30
Form: 11-211
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 157
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Displayed superstar potential when easily winning the 2m5f Grade 1 novice hurdle here in 2024; mixed campaign over fences last term and he's reverted to hurdles this season, going very close behind Teahupoo in Grade 1 Hatton's Grace (2m4f, yielding to soft) before 14l third to that rival in Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle (2m7f, good to yielding); the first-time hood could help this headstrong 8yo settle but he may again be vulnerable to stronger stayers. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
raced in second, not fluent 5th, led halfway, joined briefly 5 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed after 2 out, kept on, no match for winner |
11/8 |
25/1
- Place: £10.70
Form: 52-21
Last run: 62 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 10lb |
Ran only once last season, winning the Coral Cup at Cheltenham when returning from a long absence; four races over fences this season; jumping has let him down since starting with an emphatic Fairyhouse win; made a mistake two out in 2m4f Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Ran only once last season, winning the Coral Cup at Cheltenham when returning from a long absence; made an impressive chasing debut over a longer trip here in November; flopped in Limerick Grade 1, dropping away since after a mistake three out; out of contention when falling at the last in Grade 1 at the DRF. |
12/1 |
5/1
Form: 122-12 BF
Last run: 61 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
His form/jumping have been in and out since his Grade 2 novice chase win at Naas last January, soundly beaten in a handicap at Leopardstown latest; however, two starts ago he followed Heart Wood home in a 2m7f Grade 3 at Tramore; could have a big say for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. |
15/2 |
|
8th 2 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 107y |
11st 12lb |
Hurdle winner and won twice over fences last season, including a Grade 2 at Naas; however, his form then fell away and twice failed to complete; signs of a resurgence when second to Heart Wood at Tramore last time and can go well if building on that. |
9/1 |
|
4 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, slightly hampered 5th, fell 10th |
16/1 |
16/1
Form: 3/2-31
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Placed in a Listed bumper last season and came good over hurdles at third attempt, dominating from the front and winning Punchestown maiden (2m, soft to heavy) by 22l last month; can probably improve again if today's longer trip suits but others have more compelling form. |
16/1 |
|
1st 5 |
5th Feb 2024 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 161y |
11st 12lb |
made all, travelled strongly, bumped 1st, clear going easily after 2 out, nudged along when went further clear before last, easily |
4/6 |
|
3rd 12 |
14th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 0f 157y |
11st 12lb |
took keen hold, soon raced in third, challenging going okay on outer after 2 out, no extra when mistake last, kept on |
6/1 |
9/1
Form: 1-122 BF
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Smart novice hurdler in 2023-24 season before 19-month absence; returned to win a beginners' event at Navan in December, beating Slade Steel; jumping was untidy when he was beaten at odds-on by stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke here in January; challenging and going well when falling two out in the 2m4f Fairyhouse Grade 1 won by Fleur In The Park. |
5/1 |
|
5 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Smart novice hurdler in 2023-24 season before 19-month absence; returned to win a beginners' event at Navan in December, beating former Supreme Novices' winner Slade Steel, who has proved disappointing over fences; jumping was untidy when he was beaten a odds-on chance in the Punchestown race won stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke; same riding arrangements now. |
7/2 |
14/1
Form: 111 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
2m4f Grade 1 novice chase winner last February; a couple of good runs in defeat this term, last time third of five at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first run after wind surgery), but he needs something extra today and there's a suspicion a shorter trip may be preferable; well beaten (over hurdles) on sole run here; cheekpieces go on. |
11/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Concedes weight all round and he hasn't been able to recapture last season's abundant novice chase promise on his two outings this season; however, he's had wind surgery since last time, which may have helped, and he could be a contender if rediscovering the form shown when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown last February (2m4f, heavy; made all). |
4/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Lost touch after being hampered when one of the favourites for a 3m1f Grade 1 at the Grand National meeting; had won all his completed starts over fences, the pick when edging out subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy; versatile ground-wise); these terms are favourable despite top weight and he will be tough to conquer if on his game. |
8/15 |
14/1
Form: 211 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 5f 110y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Has shown good form over 2m4f/2m5f at Cheltenham this term, finishing second to Kabral Du Mathan in Grade 2 and recording an emphatic success from the front in Festival handicap; failed to get home in 3m Grade 1 at Aintree last time; one of the main contenders, back down in distance. |
11/2 |
|
6th 8 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Runner-up in Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January (2m4f, good; no match for Kabral Du Mathan) when his jumping lacked fluency, then convincing winner of the BetMGM Cup (Handicap) at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month; he should be fine now back up in trip, having won a 3m Grade 2 novice chase last season, and this unexposed 7yo could have a part to play. |
11/2 |
|
1st 10 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Unseated last February in his third chase but won the previous two and that form makes this hurdles mark look highly tempting; second to a fine prospect over hurdles here on New Year's Day (Lucky Place third) suggested he's on his way back; bold show likely for a top trainer with three solid candidates. |
10/1 |
Non-runners
The Grey Man
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £27.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £49.51 |
| Tricast | £82.05 |
| Trifecta | £86.30 |