April 01 / 17.20 Plumpton

17.20

Good To Soft

David Slater Big 7-0 Birthday Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 0f 214y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
SKY
View Course
David Slater Big 7-0 Birthday Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 5-4P33 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on what he was doing over hurdles this time last year; rated lower over fences for a reason and his third in a field of four at Hereford last time wasn't overly convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:30 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won twice on good ground (2m5f/2m3f) for this new stable last season and has been placed on last three appearances, most recently when second over C&D (good) three weeks ago; 1lb lower today and seems very likely to be in the thick of things again.

7/4

2nd

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Holding form well since January's Catterick success (2m3f, good), actually achieving more on RPRs when a close third at Newcastle latest; still well treated on his 2023-24 peak form, and no ground concerns.

9/2

3rd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won at Catterick in January (2m3f, good) and best form since when 0.5l second at Sedgefield last time (2m5f, good); conditions suit; chance.

11/2

Form: P-85P2 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Two hurdles wins early last year before losing his way; got back on track with cheekpieces added when runner-up on heavy-ground chase debut at Wincanton; conditions should be more favourable this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Toothless

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Won at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day on second start back from an absence and runner-up to progressive winners on next two starts (2m4f, soft); could still have more to offer himself and he's high on the list.

3/1

2nd

3

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Toothless

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Won at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day on second start back from a long absence and close second at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) last month behind one who was completing a hat-trick; Jay Tidball, who has been on board on his last two starts, remains in the saddle; solid claims.

9/4

2nd

6

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:58 Ludlow

Toothless

11st 10lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

His second run back from a long absence when nicely on top in the finish at Windsor (2m4f, good; Jay Tidball claimed his 5lb); a 5lb rise isn't overly offputting but he does seem particularly effective on goodish ground.

5/1

Form: 5P5321

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
This trip could be on the short side but it was a likeable display when getting off the mark over fences at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft; fine on drier ground) and, overall, he probably has the least to prove here even off a 7lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

16:14 Huntingdon

Pearly Island

11st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

held up in last

9/2

1st

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

16:14 Huntingdon

Pearly Island

11st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

held up in last

9/2

4th

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Pearly Island

11st 6lb

J: Joshua Parker

T: Lucy Wadham

in touch with leaders, lost ground and detached before 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out

12/1

Form: 1531-2

Last run: 67 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won valuable series final on latest hurdle start at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last April when 7lb lower, and was in good form on the Flat afterwards; didn't jump with any real fluency when runner-up on chase debut at Huntingdon (2m, good) but he should have learnt from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Aggagio

9st 9lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well held over hurdles in last three runs but he's won plenty under both codes including three over C&D; still 3lb higher than for his win here last June but he needs watching in market back on the Flat; effective on good/good to firm but most of his wins have come on slow ground.

8/1

3rd

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Aggagio

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won plenty under both codes, including over C&D, and has slid to an attractive mark; this is less competitive than the races he's been contesting of late and he's one of the likelier winners back up in trip.

3/1

7th

8

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Aggagio

11st 7lb

J: Ben Pollard

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Five-time hurdle winner who returned to form with clear second at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) in December; only seventh of 12 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) but didn't run badly and he's not discounted.

10/1

Non-runners

Clondaw Robin

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £7.62

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Toothless

RP RATINGS:

Pearly Island

The Times:

Aggagio

TOPSPEED:

Toothless

POSTDATA:

Toothless

WEST COUNTRY:

Toothless

The Guardian:

Toothless

Daily Mail:

Toothless

D Express:

Toothless

The Sun:

Toothless

The Star:

Toothless

Daily Record:

Toothless

Telegraph:

Pearly Island

Daily Mirror:

Aggagio