16.00
Good To SoftDownload The Star Sports App Open Hunters’ Chase
- Prize money: £2566.5
- 2m 4f 194y
- Class 5
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Hunter Chase
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 1/2-71 D
Last run: 241 days
W: 12st 6lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won this in 2023 (good to soft) and bagged further hunter chase wins in the same Stratford race in May 2024 and 2025 (2m6f, good); won a point last month and he's better than he showed when tailed off in this last April, but this 11yo probably isn't as good as he once was and others are preferred. |
25/1 |
|
1st 1 |
30th May 2025 Good 2m 6f 125y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Among the very best hunter chasers in his prime, with career highlight a success over the big Aintree fences in April 2023; beat Imperial Esprit to win this race under Izzie Hill in 2024 and has collected three point wins this year but last month's Aintree run was very disappointing and he may not be as good as he was; sports first-time cheekpieces. |
10/11 |
|
1st 1 |
30th May 2025 Good 2m 6f 125y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Among the very best hunter chasers in his prime, with career highlight a success over the big Aintree fences in April 2023; beat Imperial Esprit to win this race under Izzie Hill in 2024 and has collected three point wins this year but last month's Aintree run was very disappointing and he may not be as good as he was; sports first-time cheekpieces. |
10/11 |
Abandoned
Form: 1P-3U7 C
Last run: 31 days
W: 12st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
30th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Still in front when falling on his return to hunter chasing in January but ran miserably at Leicester next time where soft ground was no excuse; had been in good form in handicaps before those setbacks and would take some beating if back on song. |
6/4 |
|
3rd 2 |
24th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 6f 151y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Good form in handicaps this winter includes a Leicester success; still in front when falling at Warwick returned to hunter chasing last time; retains all of his ability and is top on the figures in this field. |
1/2 |
|
2 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing. |
6/5 |
Abandoned
Form: 2222-3 BF
Last run: 19 days
W: 12st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 16 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
7-1 when early faller at the Chair in this last year; this 7yo was an eye-catching third at Ludlow in February on penultimate start, having been hampered, but needs to step up on this season's handicap form if he's to threaten. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
20th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Returned to form when finishing third at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) recently, when back up in trip on his third start for this yard; he came clear with two progressive opponents last time, despite being hampered in the back straight, and could have a big part to play today. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 2 |
4th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Won a hunter chase under former owner David Maxwell in March; sold for £90,000 in October; his quiet stable debut was at Cheltenham and he showed more at Newbury when about 11l off the winner (2m); returning to slower ground over further could be beneficial; respected. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2116-7 D
Last run: 254 days
W: 12st 6lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Not the force of old and might be better suited by right-handed tracks but ran well from the front when close fourth in open point at left-handed Chaddesley Corbett (3m, good to soft; also suited by soft) last month; considered each-way. |
14/1 |
|
1 |
2nd Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month. |
10/1 |
|
1 |
2nd Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-8682
Last run: 19 days
W: 12st 6lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 20 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Good efforts in defeat behind Java Point (3m, good to soft) and Unexposed Party (2m6f, good to soft) this year and ran well for a long way before fading at last month's Cheltenham Festival (3m2f); could have an each-way shout at big odds now back down in trip; reapplied cheekpieces replace hood. |
40/1 |
|
8th 19 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
125-1 for this last year but was still travelling within himself when falling three out; returns on the back of a positive performance at Haydock when just ahead of Shearer; hood returns; he's no forlorn hope by any means. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
Ran well when fifth in this race a year ago (good to soft) and has some notable form since, including fourth of 16 in amateur riders' handicap at Cheltenham (3m1f, heavy) in November and third in recent Ludlow hunter chase (3m, good to soft); can make his presence felt. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P-1 D
Last run: 245 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
24 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Pulled up at 50-1 in this last year and same outcome at the Cheltenham Festival last month, when 100-1; however, that latest outing was his first run for 110 days and he may have needed it; in front when making a bad blunder at the final fence at Bangor (3m, soft) last February and that form suggests he might not be a forlorn hope each-way, at what should be a big price. |
100/1 |
|
21 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Five-time point winner but turned over at odds-on in latest start in that sphere; Gracchus De Balme and Linelee King have had his measure in the past. |
100/1 |
|
27 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Might have beaten Eva's Oskar at Bangor had he not clouted the last fence and he again found one too good at Southwell latest (again over 3m); in points this season he's been beaten by Gracchus De Balme and Bardenstown Lad; has no more than place aspirations. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 13/F-3 D
Last run: 241 days
W: 11st 12lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
31st May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 205y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
C&D winner in 2022; seemingly in process of running well before falling at third-last fence at Leicester (2m, soft) in March, after a long absence, and rallied to win a minor point this month but others have more compelling recent form. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2-4275 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 12lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
22 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise. |
20/1 |
|
15th 22 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 8 |
3rd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Close third in similar event at Ludlow (3m) last month; on a long losing spell but won his last two Southwell attempts (spring 2022) and is interesting back here. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 67/PP-
Last run: 441 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
1st Jul 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Multiple point winner who has raced just four times over hurdles and won a 2m3f Fontwell handicap in May (good); disappointing off this 5lb higher mark next time but that looked too bad to be true. |
15/2 |
|
7th 7 |
27th May 2026 Good 2m 2f 110y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Six-time point winner who made it third-time lucky over hurdles when scoring on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a smooth success and the runner-up has franked that form since; respected. |
4/1 |
|
1st 7 |
6th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 29y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Won his sixth point in March but was pulled up in his two previous races over hurdles (maiden/novice) and wouldn't be the percentage call here in his first handicap. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 325U-P D
Last run: 241 days
W: 11st 12lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
6th Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 5f 110y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
jumped right on occasions, towards rear throughout, pulled up before 4 out |
33/1 |
|
7 |
6th Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 5f 110y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
jumped right on occasions, towards rear throughout, pulled up before 4 out |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 333-36 D
Last run: 241 days
W: 11st 12lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 10 |
2nd May 2025 Good 2m 4f 127y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
pressed leader, prominent from 2nd, lost position after 7th, outpaced from 3 out |
40/1 |
|
7th 10 |
2nd May 2025 Good 2m 4f 127y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
pressed leader, prominent from 2nd, lost position after 7th, outpaced from 3 out |
40/1 |
|
4th 5 |
13th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 125y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
prominent, briefly led 5th, lost position 10th |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P2252/
Last run: 666 days
W: 11st 12lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
30th Jan 2025 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Three seconds to his name in handicap chases but only as far as 2m5f and he's making his hunter chase debut after a long absence. |
6/1 |
|
5 |
30th Jan 2025 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Three seconds to his name in handicap chases but only as far as 2m5f and he's making his hunter chase debut after a long absence. |
6/1 |
Verdict
Famous Clermont was an excellent hunter chaser a couple of years ago but last season’s form was not quite as impressive and this is his first run since last May. Preference here is for PERCUSSION, who ran well before tiring in a 3m1f Haydock slog last month and ought to find this race easier. Jet Plane (second choice) is not one to rely upon heavily but will be hard to beat if he replicates the best of last year’s handicap form. Joker De Mai and Take All can also feature.[Chris Wilson]
Selections
The Times:
Famous ClermontTelegraph:
Famous ClermontThe Sun:
Famous ClermontThe Star:
Famous ClermontDaily Record:
Famous Clermont