15.30
SoftJohn And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £3247.81
- 2m 1f 162y
- Class 5
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
4/1 (Won)
- Win: £5.30
- Place: £1.60
Form: 725604
Last run: 14 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
28th Aug 2026 Good 2m 5f 164y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Took form to new level when scoring by 10l over C&D (good to soft) in March but his two hurdle runs in May were disappointing and, following a wind op, he was soundly beaten on the Flat 12 days ago; has a point to prove. |
5/1 |
|
9th 6 (1) |
16th Aug 2026 Standard 1m 4f 14y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
50-1 winner of this race last year off 4lb lower; following 228 days off; 10l winner over hurdles this March, followed by two modest shows in May; had wind operation (his second) in July and needs a second look. |
14/1 |
|
4th 4 |
26th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 116y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
Four-time hurdle winner and career-best form to win by 10l at Fontwell two runs ago (2m5f, good to soft); went up 8lb for that and was back down to earth on his return visit when beaten 20l; hard to know entirely what to expect from him. |
100/30 |
7/1
- Place: £2.00
Form: 067
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Won two in a row in the autumn (2m2f/2m, good to soft/soft) and, after a couple of respectable fifth placings, he was a close second at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; in the mix if seeing out this longer trip; the hood worn on his last four starts is left off. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 6 |
28th Mar 2026 Good 2m 2f 148y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Scored twice in the autumn, including over C&D, and comes here after a respectable fifth of 14 in 2m1f Carisle handicap last month; in the mix off a 3lb lower mark. |
9/2 |
|
5th 3 |
16th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 0y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Has progressed since wind surgery early last year, winning handicaps at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter before decent fifth at Newbury (2m, good to soft) latest; 10lb higher than last winning mark but solid chance. |
5/1 |
4/1
- Place: £1.80
Form: 33-484
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 |
4th Jun 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back. |
11/2 |
|
9th 3 |
4th Jun 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back. |
11/2 |
|
8th 2 |
6th May 2025 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd |
7/1 |
50/1
Form: 8-PP07
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 2lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 65
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 149y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Dual hurdle winner and only 2lb higher than for his win at Hereford in December; however, didn't look a natural on last month's chase debut and was pulled up. |
11/1 |
|
4 |
18th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Struck form with two 2m hurdle wins in December (Ludlow claimer and Hereford handicap) but three lesser efforts have followed, including a well-held third of five at Ludlow last month; still 4lb higher than for his last success and something to prove on this switch to chasing; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 1m 7f 169y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Struck form with two wins in December (C&D claimer/Hereford handicap) but two lesser efforts have followed and he was behind Aim Straight on more recent occasion; needs to kick on again. |
12/1 |
6/1
Form: 7-5767
Last run: 33 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 (2) |
18th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 110y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Made most for two game wins in four-runner C&D races (good to firm) last summer, latterly in this race off 2lb higher than today; second to Baileys Khelstar over C&D on latest outing was in just a three-runner race but easily his best Flat effort this year, so he could be on his way back. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 1 (2) |
23rd Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
10st 1lb |
Comes into this off the back of winning a three-runner race over hurdles at Fontwell, but he is equally adept on the Flat with two wins in four-runner contests over C&D (good to firm) last summer, including this race off 1lb lower; respected. |
7/2 |
25/1
Form: 11P6-0
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
29th Aug 2026 Good 2m 1f 46y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Asserted readily on run-in at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) on Tuesday and is now 2-3 for Nick Scholfield; effectively only 6lb higher under 7lb penalty here and won't mind the forecast rain; respected in current mood. |
3/1 |
|
1st 7 |
25th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Won twice for Paddy Butler in the spring of 2024 on soft; made an immediate impact when scoring for the first time since at Newton Abbot (2m3f, good to firm) last month on stable debut in returning cheekpieces (retained since); not disgraced when runner-up back there on Saturday and remains in decent form; claims. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 11 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 110y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Returned to form with a C&D win on last month's debut for Nick Scholfield, having a few of these in behind and scoring a shade cosily; remains well treated despite a 5lb rise and is the one to beat if backing up that effort. |
7/4 |
5/1
Form: /309-7
Last run: 54 days
W: 11st 1lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 5 |
20th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 70y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Yet to hit top gear after three runs this year (suffered heavy fall on penultimate outings) but won twice at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last summer and is back on a good mark now; could have a say. |
12/1 |
|
7th 5 |
5th Jul 2026 Good 2m 0f 125y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Won twice at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last summer and was subsequently placed off higher marks than today's; made just a satisfactory reappearance here in April and fell heavily when last in action but will be a danger to all if back in prime form. |
7/1 |
5/1
Form: 4-747
Last run: 12 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 135y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
|
|
|
12 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 162y Class 4 |
10st 6lb |
|
|
|
4 |
3rd Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
C&D winner in a first-time visor in March (good; 5lb lower) but beaten between 10l and 14l in three subsequent races, the last two over fences (cheekpieces/visor); should give his running, though improvement has come on good ground. |
5/2 |
7/1
Form: 958-
Last run: 302 days
W: 10st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
23rd Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Lightly raced 6yo; bred to win races but tailed off this winter in his first two handicaps and dramatic improvement is needed now up in trip. |
14/1 |
|
11th 13 |
16th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
visibility reduced by fog |
7/1 |
|
11th 13 |
16th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
visibility reduced by fog |
7/1 |
Non-runners
Footloose Man, Guinessed
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £23.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £20.33 |
| Tricast | £107.62 |
| Trifecta | £107.60 |
Selections
The Sun:
John Betjeman