15.25
Good To SoftLuke Watson Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £4224.8
- 2m 5f 55y
- Class 5
- 16 runners
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: U770
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
5th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Seven-race maiden over hurdles who has shown no worthwhile form in three handicap chases since February; tries blinkers, but cheekpieces did nothing for him. |
10/1 |
|
11th 8 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 83y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Pulled up in both starts switched to chasing this term but can't be written off; remains the type who should do better in this sphere, having shown some promise in points. |
10/1 |
|
5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Consistency remains an issue and he had barely started the final circuit when pulling up on his chase debut here (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; maybe the ground was an issue that day and cheekpieces, which his half-brother wore to win five of his six races, are now fitted; hard to be confident but his yard's ticking along and this is uncompetitive. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 464
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
27th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 1y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Perhaps a shade disappointing when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third here (3m, good to soft) on last month's handicap debut and remains of interest. |
11/2 |
|
5th 4 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 730
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
18th Mar 2026 Good 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
0-8 but he's dropped 11lb since tackling handicaps and took steps forward on last two starts when third of 11 at Hereford (3m2f, soft) and second of nine at Doncaster (extended 3m, good to soft); ridden all season by Cameron Johnstone-Baker; again in serious each-way contention. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 7 |
5th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
0-7 but he's dropped 11lb since tackling handicaps and took a step forward when third of 11 at Hereford (3m1f, soft) in December, having been upped in trip; could be involved. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-509
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Hasn't really threatened in any of his four handicaps and the blinkers did nothing for him at Uttoxeter, albeit over 2m7f. |
6/1 |
|
5th 4 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Hasn't really threatened in any of his four handicaps and the blinkers did nothing for him at Uttoxeter, albeit over 2m7f. |
6/1 |
|
5th 6 |
3rd May 2025 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Seven defeats under rules include three handicaps and he hasn't threatened in any of them (when runner-up two starts back he was beaten some 26l); didn't run too badly at Stratford last time in first-time cheekpieces and now goes in blinkers; has to improve, however. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 475986
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
19th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 3f 110y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Maiden who was big prices and well held throughout 2025; goes without regular headgear but hard to foresee a good run from out of the weights. |
66/1 |
|
11 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over. |
50/1 |
|
11 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-6377
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
3rd May 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Hard to predict over hurdles and has twice run flat since winning at 40-1 in January (2m3f, good to soft); difficult to trust on this switch to fences. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
3rd May 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Hard to predict over hurdles and has twice run flat since winning at 40-1 in January (2m3f, good to soft); difficult to trust on this switch to fences. |
20/1 |
|
7th 5 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Popped up at 40-1 in a 2m3f handicap at Doncaster in January (good to soft) and his overall profile suggests soft ground might not be ideal, which would excuse him last time (after a 6lb rise); could have a role to play. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-064
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 136y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Career highlight when winning a 15-runner handicap hurdle here (extended 2m7f, good) last April off 4lb lower; easily best of three runs this season was also his only one at this sort of trip (penultimate start) and he's one to keep an eye on now back up in trip on chase debut. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 424-35
Last run: 233 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 9 |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Bang there in 2m3f/2m6f handicaps (good) in March and feasible excuses since then, as he was pressured up front two runs back and perhaps failed to stay 3m last time; now 0-23 under rules but one to bear in mind. |
8/1 |
|
6th 5 |
10th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 174y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Now 0-20 over hurdles but was bang there in 2m3f/2m6f handicaps (good) in March and when beaten nearly 20l the last time he got pressured up front; unlikely to be far away. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
16th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 147y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
0-19 over hurdles, which could be the bottom line, but he's been placed on four of his six starts this season, on last two occasions finishing runner-up on good ground over C&D and Stratford's 2m6f; wore cheekpieces on last three starts; looks set to be seriously involved again. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 90050-
Last run: 321 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
24th Jun 2025 Good 2m 2f 110y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Did not take to chasing this spring (two attempts) and now reverts to hurdling; quite well handicapped if judged on his two Taunton runs (2m/2m3f) towards end of last season; not ruled out. |
9/1 |
|
7 |
7th Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
2m4f point winner; never really threatened to win over hurdles and the same again on recent chase debut; needs a lift from cheekpieces. |
12/1 |
|
5 |
15th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Maiden under rules but he did keep galloping on his final two runs over hurdles, at 2m and 2m3f; pedigree points to improvement over fences. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 008517 CD BF
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 1lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 1m 7f 169y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Won comfortably under Ned Fox at Leicester (1m7f, soft) in December and also ran well when fourth there (2m4f, soft) later that month; below that level on latest outing (2m5f), though, and current mark demands a career-best effort. |
6/1 |
|
4 |
23rd Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 5f 55y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Unraced on fast ground and best form was her second on soft ground at Exeter in January (2m5f); however, ran okay after a break at Chepstow (2m, good) and returns to a better trip here. |
11/2 |
|
5th 10 |
10th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Came good with wide-margin success at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in November and was placed twice on slow ground after the turn of the year (2m5f/2m4f); might find 2m a bit sharp on this first run since February, though. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0533
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 1lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning. |
7/1 |
|
9 |
10th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say. |
12/1 |
|
6th 8 |
3rd Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 558-PP
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 83y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Scored at Market Rasen (2m7f) in November and posted another solid effort when third of six in another 2m7f handicap there last month; ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
15th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
10st 9lb |
Both wins have come here, the latest over this trip (good to soft) in November; may have found the ground too testing when a long way behind Aire Spray back here last month, but others look more solid nonetheless. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0P7-9P
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 8lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 77
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 9 |
5th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Still winless after 20 starts but placed over hurdles and fences at up to 2m4f (all on a sound surface); did too much too soon when failing to see it out at Exeter (2m, good) last time but had been running consistently well beforehand from this sort of mark and could have a part to play back over fences. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 9 |
17th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 161y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
0-19 but placed over both hurdles and fences at up to 2m4f (all on a sound surface); has been competitive from this mark on her last three starts and should be again. |
9/4 |
|
3rd 8 |
7th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 48y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Longstanding maiden but was close up in her final handicap hurdle and ran okay in her first chase (2m2f, good), for all that she was no match for the clearcut winner; should have a role to play. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: -0P5P2 BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 77
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 4 (11) |
28th Apr 2026 Standard 2m 0f 102y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Returns to the AW after another modest effort over hurdles, but was twice runner-up on Polytrack before that; both wins have come on that surface, but he ran well to finish a close third behind Payment Plan over this C&D in November 2024; each-way claims again. |
7/1 |
|
7th 6 |
4th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 145y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Hasn't been seen over hurdles since February last year but was only beaten a head at Plumpton in December 2024 when 11-8 favourite; runner-up on the Flat twice recently so fitness will not be an issue and he must be of interest. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 8 (3) |
27th Mar 2026 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 6 |
9st 5lb |
Ran well in fourth at Chelmsford (2m, Polytrack) in January when back from some time off and built on that to go close there (1m6f) four weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be bang there once more. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: PP6-P5
Last run: 84 days
W: 10st 7lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
6th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
in rear |
10/1 |
|
9 |
6th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
in rear |
10/1 |
|
4th 16 |
13th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Made mistakes and was pulled up on chase/handicap debut last spring but put in good front-running shift when fifth on return to hurdling at Hereford (2m3f, good) in October; going further this time should be of benefit. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /86/45
Last run: 52 days
W: 10st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
took keen hold, pressed leader |
15/8 |
|
1st 9 |
27th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
0-10 but returned to form with neck second of 16 to Brockarno at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last month on his third stable start; can be thereabouts if handling the forecast soft ground. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 17 |
24th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 88y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
8yo maiden; made the frame at Stratford (back from long absence) last May but has largely unconvincing form otherwise. |
14/1 |
Verdict
De Vega’s Warrior still has potential over hurdles and could make a serious impact if he can build on his third at Southwell last month. Churchman is on a workable mark and could be dangerous on his return, while there are several handicap newcomers who need a close look including Babatunde and Tom Taggle. However, it is hard to get away from SULLIVAN BAY, who has done really well under both codes for his new yard including a near miss at Plumpton on his penultimate run.[David Moon]
Selections
The Times:
Sullivan BayDaily Mail:
Sullivan BayDaily Mirror:
Sullivan BayD Express:
De Vega's WarriorDaily Record:
De Vega's Warrior