13.55
Good To SoftCoral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £42712.5
- 2m 3f 187y
- Class 1
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Scattered showers
5/2 (Won)
- Win: £3.25
- Place: £1.70
Form: 11322- D BF
Last run: 231 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 11 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Cruelly caught in the final strides in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle here (3m, heavy) in March 2024; 2-2 in novice chases last season (including Grade 1) and, after missing last year's Festival due to injury, he made it 2-2 this term and 4-4 over fences when winning the King George (3m, good) in December, narrowly in a breathtaking four-way finish (Gaelic Warrior third, Jango Baie fourth); the way he rallied to edge back in front at Kempton provides optimism regarding today's stiffer test and he's a key player. |
7/2 |
11/2
- Place: £2.50
Form: 510-21 CD
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
12th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play. |
3/1 |
|
1st 1 |
12th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
in touch with leaders |
3/1 |
|
3rd 9 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up. |
7/1 |
3/1
Form: 4484-1 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 33 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 4lb |
Fine over these fences in November; laboured from before three out when a well-beaten fifth to Haiti Couleurs in Irish National last April; that was in the mud, though, and his top efforts have been on good to soft; they include his neck second in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces after wind surgery, a 3m1f win from Jagwar at this year's Festival; able to race here off the same mark as last time (due to go up 6lb) and he wasn't stopping in either of those big races at Cheltenham; seriously considered. |
12/1 |
|
1st 7 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Neck second in the Kim Muir here (3m2f, good to soft) 12 months ago; promise in defeat on his first two runs this season; not quite at the top of his game at Haydock last time but wind op since and cheekpieces are added; remains one to be interested in, especially given his Festival form. |
11/1 |
|
5th 2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 125y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Beaten just a neck in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, good to soft) last March and finished strongly for close third in the Silver Cup at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; every chance he'll be bang there. |
3/1 |
9/4
Form: 1210-1 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has perhaps needed his two runs since a lengthy layoff, sixth to Fiercely Proud at Ascot latest; may be ready to hit top form and accordingly looks interesting off current mark when considering his back class (Grade 1 novice winner over 2m4f in December 2023). |
20/1 |
|
6th 3 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 63y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Seemed to need latest run when back from a lengthy layoff; interesting off current mark assuming he's still capable of peak form, which includes a success in the 2023 Challow on soft ground. |
5/1 |
|
2 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Absent since finishing lame at Newbury in November 2024, truncating a novice chase campaign; smart previously and has Grade 1 form, including a success in the Challow (2m4f, soft) as a novice hurdler; 2-4 in this sphere; on a workable mark provided he retains ability. |
14/1 |
14/1
Form: 132031 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
First run over the National fences; inconsistent this season and no match for stablemate Madara (who remains Harry Skelton's mount) when ninth of 23 in the Plate at Cheltenham last month; however, Aintree brought out the best in him last year and he's well handicapped on that form; one to consider. |
12/1 |
|
9th 5 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Has hurdle form at Cheltenham over a similar trip to today's but he races mostly on sharp tracks, albeit with soft ground against him in January when well back in his sole chase start here; never showed with a chance when upped to 3m at Kempton recently and he's no strong option to improve a 2-15 strike-rate over fences; yard runs two others with better claims. |
40/1 |
|
12th 1 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Only 2-14 as a chaser but has been highly tried on occasions, as when not far away in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Aintree last April; another good run in a Grade 2 here last month (RPR right up there with his best) and soft ground was no good to him back in a handicap at Cheltenham; patient tactics are likely now sent further and could be interesting with Harry Atkins claiming 7lb, provided conditions don't soften. |
20/1 |
14/1
Form: 1133-2 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
12l third in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (2m4f) last April; back from chasing for 3m handicap hurdles on last two outings, always close up when second of 11 at Musselburgh (again good to soft) last time; up 2lb but, in this second season under rules, no shock if he has more to give. |
28/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
2nd Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
disputed lead, raced in second after 5th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on |
12/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
2nd Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
12l third in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (2m4f) last April; back from chasing when creditable third of six off this mark at Doncaster five weeks ago on his step up to 3m; closely matched with runner-up Pyffo on that result and he could have more to offer as a stayer. |
12/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £15.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £15.26 |
| Trifecta | £51.20 |
Selections
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