14.47
Soft‘Bet In Race’ With Coral Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £5650.67
- 2m 7f 131y
- Class 3
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 2222-3 BF
Last run: 56 days
W: 12st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
Provided yet another example of his yard's prowess in top handicaps when quite comfortably justifying strong market support in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month, with seven of today's rivals in behind; raised 9lb but could be capable of even better. |
4/1 |
|
1st 7 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
No ground issues; promising late gains when third of 17 on stable debut in the Cheltenham qualifier in October; not so hot since but those runs aren't hard to forgive (the latest was over just 2m4f) and he's now 2lb lower than on that eye-catching reappearance; trainer is a dab hand in these Festival handicaps and this 8yo has been favourite for this race for some time. |
3/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 208y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Won for the Newland-Insole stable at Haydock (3m, heavy) last December and signed off for them with a pretty good third at Warwick (3m1f, good) in April; sold for £24,000 since; remains on a career-high mark but had wind surgery during summer break and it will be interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with him. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2317-8 D
Last run: 38 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
9th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Won a 3m handicap hurdle on soft ground at Carlisle in December 2024 but hasn't been out since; looks his stable's second string. |
14/1 |
|
1st 4 |
15th Dec 2024 Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance. |
8/1 |
|
1st 4 |
15th Dec 2024 Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P-1713
Last run: 51 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 2 |
11th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Didn't run badly when third of five in Newton Abbot chase (3m2f, good) in May and today's switch back to hurdling won't be a problem but his record in recent years is mixed; others preferred. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
28th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Often leads; has five wins and five seconds to show from 12 previous visits to this track, including a win in this 12 months ago (on soft); returns off a 3lb lower mark and latest 12l defeat here was on good ground that would have been on the lively side; every chance with rain forecast. |
11/4 |
|
3rd 2 |
28th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Often leads; has five wins and five seconds to show from 12 previous visits to this track, including a win in this 12 months ago (on soft); returns off a 3lb lower mark and latest 12l defeat here was on good ground that would have been on the lively side; every chance with rain forecast. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: /111-P CD
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
21st Dec 2024 Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
21st Dec 2024 Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 428-43 C
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 7lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 150y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
No longer the force of old but returned from 342-day absence with a pretty good third at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last month behind two next-time-out winners and competes off the same mark here; respected. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
No win under rules since 2019 (he took a point in 2020) but he's well down the weights and competitive often enough, including at Newbury last March on latest start, to be considered each-way even though he may have a bit more to prove at his age first time out. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
21st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 52y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Still in touch when unseating four out at Ascot last time (2m7f, good; 50-1) but it was still a long way from home; hasn't won under rules since 2019 and much-reduced mark looks justified. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2211-6
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 6f 121y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Dual hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences but three times runner-up in this discipline and latest Warwick conqueror (3m5f, good to soft) was completing a hat-trick; likely to run well off an untouched mark. |
7/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
8th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 54y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Ran poorly dropped back to 2m4f at Sandown last time but consistent otherwise and has shown clear signs that he's capable of winning a chase; possibly open to improvement at this new trip and one to consider. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /P0-64 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 9 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 58y |
11st 11lb |
Out of luck since winning this race last year; only 3lb higher now, and has to be taken seriously; Rian Corcoran has enjoyed a successful breakthrough season in Britain and claims a useful 4lb. |
8/1 |
|
9th 11 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Has three wins over hurdles but hasn't been at his best in four runs since returning in November; is slipping down the weights and takes a drop in class so cannot be discounted; returning cheekpieces replace blinkers. |
16/1 |
|
5th 14 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
Blew apart a 15-runner Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f) in February 2023 and underlined how effective he can be in big-field races when seeing off 24 rivals in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) last spring; hasn't come close to reproducing that form in three outings this winter but his mark has eased a little as a result; worth a second look in the betting. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2451-3 BF
Last run: 59 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
27th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3 |
10st 13lb |
Point winner who was 1-8 over hurdles but he made a smooth transition to chasing when scoring over C&D (good; 13-2) three weeks ago; up 3lb but he travelled well for a long way last time and hit a personal best with that convincing success; interesting contender. |
6/4 |
|
1st 3 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 170y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Landed a Southwell maiden hurdle (2m4f, soft) in March 2024; largely out of form in limited starts since but there were signs of a revival here (3m2f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces; needs to back that up but could improve for this switch to fences. |
6/1 |
|
4th 3 |
4th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 105y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Won a Southwell maiden (2m4f, soft) in March 2024 but he's had only six runs since and has struggled in his last three handicaps; may have needed his comeback run (2m7f) in February but he needs a major revival back up in trip; cheekpieces added. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22/1-4 D
Last run: 215 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
10th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Has gone 5-5 over fences (2m5f-3m2f) since the cheekpieces returned in June, last time prevailing in a match; tackling stronger opposition here and he's penalised accordingly, but he's in the zone and fighting fit. |
4/1 |
|
1 |
19th Sep 2025 Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Kept on well for ready success in Class 2 handicap at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago and is now 4-4 over fences since cheekpieces were refitted in June; 2m5f on slower ground will also suit him; ought to be very hard to beat in current mood. |
Evs |
Abandoned
Form: 4231-4 CD
Last run: 25 days
W: 10st 12lb
11 yo Mare
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
12yo who is 5-36 over hurdles, the latest win at Wincanton (3m, soft) last March off 2lb lower; needs much better than she's delivered last two starts, a start to the campaign which contrasts starkly with last term but her trainer has had recent winners. |
14/1 |
|
7 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
12yo who is 5-36 over hurdles, the latest win at Wincanton (3m, soft) last March off 2lb lower; needs much better than she's delivered last two starts, a start to the campaign which contrasts starkly with last term but her trainer has had recent winners. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 8U55-0
Last run: 22 days
W: 10st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Won from well out of the weights at Ludlow and off only 3lb higher he followed up at the expense of three rivals (3m, good), taking his record there to 3-5; has another 6lb rise to contend with but has won here and has to be taken seriously. |
13/2 |
|
1st 5 |
10th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 171y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
Veteran who bounced back with 33-1 success from well out of the weights over C&D (good) most recently, taking Ludlow record to 2-4; just no certainty to follow up, having been inconsistent for a while. |
7/2 |
|
1st 8 |
22nd Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 171y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights. |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1132-O D
Last run: 8 days
W: 10st 11lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 3 |
6th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 104y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings. |
9/2 |
|
1st 3 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song. |
9/2 |
|
8 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 4f 97y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected. |
8/1 |
Verdict
David Pipe’s THANKSFORTHEHELP has a very mixed record since he sauntered to a C&D win in February 2023 but last month’s fourth in a stronger race than this at Cheltenham was a good effort and the return to this track is an obvious plus. He gets the vote ahead of Supremely West, who finished tired in a gruelling race at Hexham in October but has good claims if judged on his previous two runs. Shallow River and El Granjero also have possibilities.[Chris Wilson]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
ThanksforthehelpD Express:
Art Of DiplomacyRP RATINGS:
Supremely WestDaily Record:
Rickety BridgeTelegraph:
Investment ManagerTOPSPEED:
Zacony RebelPOSTDATA:
JatiluwihThe Guardian:
Supremely WestWEST COUNTRY:
ThanksforthehelpThe Times:
ThanksforthehelpDaily Mail:
ThanksforthehelpThe Star:
ThanksforthehelpDaily Mirror:
Art Of DiplomacyThe Sun:
Art Of Diplomacy