16.00
Good To SoftJohn Ayres Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £20812
- 2m 3f 98y
- Class 2
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
7/1 (Won)
- Win: £9.00
- Place: £2.30
Form: 514UP- D
Last run: 224 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
Well treated on the pick of his Cheltenham form at about this trip, as when just touched off by Moon d'Orange last January, but he was pulled up last time out and these very competitive races tend to be beyond him. |
40/1 |
|
6 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Has rather mixed record over last couple of years but gave good account when keeping-on third in valuable Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and will be suited by the slower ground here. |
9/2 |
|
1 |
30th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Not much went to plan on his final two starts last season but he enhanced his very good record when fresh with a good win at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last October and bettered that performance when very close second in valuable Cheltenham race (2m4f, soft) in January; major player. |
7/2 |
5/1
- Place: £2.10
Form: 671P2- D
Last run: 168 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 154
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
40/1 |
4/1
- Place: £1.60
Form: 13348- CD BF
Last run: 182 days
W: 10st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 8 |
12th Oct 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
10st 6lb |
C&D winner at a different meeting last October on his reappearance and later ran well in a 3m Grade 2 at Ascot until a costly late mistake; disappointed the final time in a strong handicap at Aintree but went off favourite that day off a 1lb higher mark and evidently failed to give his running; remains an interesting handicapper. |
4/1 |
|
8th 9 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark. |
5/1 |
|
8th 9 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark. |
5/1 |
7/1
Form: F2U36- C
Last run: 179 days
W: 10st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Progressive front-runner who has won two handicaps this term (2m3f/2m1f, good to firm/soft) and came second in the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; a bad mistake at the first fence all but ended his race in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month; sent off 50-1 at the Festival and his form has to go to a new level if he's to pose a threat today. |
50/1 |
|
10 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; has become a very consistent chaser; form figures this term read 12122, the second-place finishes in Grade 2 events, including handicaps; ran creditably behind a leading novice in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; even if he gives his running again, that won't be nearly enough to trouble the judge now that he is upped further in class; a lot to find. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Acts on soft ground; has become a very consistent handicap chaser; form figures this term read 1212, the second-place finishes behind progressive Thistle Ask in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton; better than ever, has won at Newbury and looks sure to run his race; rock-solid claims. |
7/2 |
5/1
Form: 2308P-
Last run: 178 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
9yo who hasn't been at his best this season but there have been signs of spark and he failed to stay 3m2f when well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival last time; continues to drop down the weights and could be in the shake-up back down in trip and in grade. |
9/1 |
|
15th 6 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Two-time course winner (2m4f, soft/good) who, having dropped down the weights, returned to form when second here on New Year's Day (2m4f, good; albeit no match for the winner); however, he doesn't appear to be crying out for the step up in trip; faded over 3m in February 2024. |
25/1 |
|
3 |
12th Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Cheltenham regular who looked as good as ever when winning Paddy Power Gold Cup there (2m4f, good) last November; only 1lb higher today but seemed in need of the run when reappearing in this event last season and perhaps this race will again tee him up for Cheltenham next month. |
3/1 |
25/1
Form: 932-02 D
Last run: 46 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
15th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
A dual C&D scorer but she arrives out of sorts and was pulled up in 3m1f handicap at Hereford in December; others appeal more. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
21st Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 1f 44y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
On a good mark now and her second at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) this summer confirmed she retains significant ability; however, she was soundly beaten on her latest outing and all of her British wins were gained at around 2m4f on genuine good ground. |
16/1 |
|
4 |
21st Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 1f 44y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
On a good mark now and her second at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) this summer confirmed she retains significant ability; however, she was soundly beaten on her latest outing and all of her British wins were gained at around 2m4f on genuine good ground. |
16/1 |
16/1
Form: 142P-7
Last run: 161 days
W: 10st 12lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
1st Apr 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender. |
9/4 |
|
2nd 1 |
1st Apr 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender. |
9/4 |
7/1
Form: 1217-6
Last run: 148 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
16th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 77y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
Well below best during five-race campaign last season and absent since pulled up on soft ground in February; had wind surgery the following month, though, and ought to be better suited by the forecast quicker conditions here; too well handicapped to rule out; swaps visor for refitted blinkers. |
9/1 |
|
5 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 78y Class 2 |
10st 8lb |
Hasn't fired in any of his races this season but connections have tweaked the headgear and he has finished first and second in the last two renewals of this race, last year when fitted in new blinkers; daren't discount. |
5/1 |
|
10th 5 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Good servant to connections over the years (eight wins; mixes hurdling and chasing) but has not fired on any of three appearances this season, and this cross-country debut is his first venture beyond about 2m4f; best suited by good/good to soft; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today. |
33/1 |
16/1
Form: 415P-P
Last run: 159 days
W: 12st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 78y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
led, headed then prominent 5th, pressed leader before 4 out, weakened after 4 out |
14/1 |
11/2
Form: /14P-4 CD
Last run: 164 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 136y |
11st 4lb |
Smart performer in Britain back in the day; went point-to-pointing over the winter and held in hunter chases lately; unlikely. |
16/1 |
|
5th 10 |
11th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; couldn't contain Lifetime Ambition in a point back in November; fair third to Journey With Me at Cork last month but he went from the front and was readily left behind. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
6th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
12st 0lb |
Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; no appeal on his points form, which has been poor since a 12l second behind good yardstick Lifetime Ambition at Turtulla in November. |
14/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £60.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £70.82 |
| Tricast | £223.02 |
| Trifecta | £250.70 |
Selections
The Times:
The King Of RyhopeDaily Mail:
The King Of RyhopeThe Sun:
The King Of RyhopeThe Guardian:
La DomanialeDaily Mirror:
Jetoile