13.50
SoftRead Nicky Henderson’s Weekly Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £20812
- 2m 4f 10y
- Class 2
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 1P-524 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 12st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
1st May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well. |
2/5 |
|
4th 22 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out. |
4/1 |
|
1st 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level. |
5/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 17-595 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 2291-7
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 5f 44y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Formerly with Willie Mullins; five starts for this yard following a long absence, easily the best when beaten 5l over nearly 3m at Musselburgh in February (good to soft); becoming hard to predict, though, and has been tailed off since (latterly tried in cheekpieces; now goes in blinkers). |
11/2 |
|
5th 2 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 5f 44y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Formerly with Willie Mullins; five starts for this yard following a long absence, easily the best when beaten 5l over nearly 3m at Musselburgh in February (good to soft); becoming hard to predict, though, and has been tailed off since (latterly tried in cheekpieces; now goes in blinkers). |
11/2 |
|
5th 2 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 3m 1f 152y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
led, headed 3 out |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 85-644 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 10st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 203y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration. |
16/1 |
|
12 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance. |
11/1 |
|
4th 9 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-1121 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 10st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 37y Class 3 |
12st 5lb |
9yo who is lightly raced for his age and made it four wins from his last five starts, and 2-3 over fences, when scoring at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in November; has a progressive profile and could play another leading role. |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 214-23 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
5th Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 6f 198y |
12st 0lb |
Hurdle/chase winner for the Moores in Britain with a peak hurdle rating of 130; some promise in three runs for this yard, notably on latest when fourth of 11 at Navan (2m6f, heavy), staying on from rear to challenge two out, fading late on; player dropped 1lb under top claimer. |
9/1 |
|
4th 1 |
8th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 5f 180y |
12st 1lb |
Prominent racer lost way for the Moores in Britain last season and beaten a cumulative distance of 50l in first two runs for this yard last month; mark sliding and good claimer booked so not totally dismissed. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: F1-945 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 10st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored. |
20/1 |
|
10 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 11-721 D
Last run: 7 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
26 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
10st 9lb |
Reserve; Venetia Williams and Lucy Turner combined to win this at 40-1 in 2022 and this fellow was in pretty good heart over 3m this winter; however, today's stiffer test of stamina poses a question and he was soundly beaten at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time; wears first-time cheekpieces. |
25/1 |
|
5th 8 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 185y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
Has posted consistent efforts over 3m of late but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in trip, especially when conditions are testing; yet to win beyond an extended 2m6f. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 6 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Has done his winning at up to 2m6f; not disgraced over 3m the last twice but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in distance, at least when conditions are testing; strong suspicion he's going to be outstayed. |
10/1 |
Verdict
The last-time-out wins for Roccovango (six weeks ago) and Hunter Legend (one week ago) suggested that better could still be forthcoming. They are preferred in that order but the drop back in trip can do the job for JUPITER DU GITE, who disputed the lead over the last in a 3m race here last time but ended up beaten nearly 6l. Etalon and Unexpected Party should flower again at some point for Dan Skelton but when they did so last year it was in 2m races.[Richard Austen]
Selections
WEST COUNTRY:
Triple TradeRP RATINGS:
Jupiter Du GiteTOPSPEED:
Jupiter Du GitePOSTDATA:
Jupiter Du GiteThe Times:
Jupiter Du GiteThe Guardian:
Jupiter Du GiteThe Sun:
Jupiter Du GiteThe Star:
Hunter Legend