15.07
HeavyVirgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £56270
- 2m 7f 98y
- Class 1
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
6/1 (Won)
- Win: £7.50
- Place: £2.40
Form: 4/2-51
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here. |
15/2 |
|
19th 9 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown. |
33/1 |
|
4th 4 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time. |
14/1 |
3/1
- Place: £1.50
Form: P/4-41 CD
Last run: 56 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Easily won a handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) a fortnight ago; his three hurdle wins have come there and he needs to prove he can reproduce his best form at a different track, but today's trip and forecast soft ground will be right up his street and he's not ruled out on his first run here. |
8/1 |
|
1st 4 |
31st Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 103y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Won by 18l over C&D in December 2024 and runner-up to Red Dirt Road in this race (off 2lb higher than today) next time, both on heavy going; well beaten last March and November (given wind surgery in between) but surged back to some form when short-headed here four weeks ago; that was over just 2m4f on good ground and today's conditions are more likely to see him back to his best; big shout if he is. |
3/1 |
25/1
- Place: £7.30
Form: 4931-P C
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 12 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer. |
40/1 |
|
13th 12 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer. |
40/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
8th Mar 2025 Good 3m 0f 37y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
9yo who is somewhat mercurial but he's run pretty well in defeat the last twice here (2m7f, heavy; hurdles) and Ascot (3m, good; fences); goes well at Sandown and drops back down in grade today; could be involved. |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: 22152- D
Last run: 311 days
W: 10st 2lb
7 yo Filly
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Dual hurdle winner last season (2m7f/3m) and returned from ten-month break with two good efforts in February, latterly when second to Felicie Du Maquis at Ludlow (3m, soft); will probably be in the shake-up again. |
5/1 |
|
2 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
never going well, in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up |
5/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
27th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 174y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Very solid campaign last season, winning twice (2m7f/3m, good to soft/soft), and she was a fair fourth in a tough handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) on this month's belated reappearance; drops back down in grade today and could play a leading role. |
7/2 |
7/1
Form: 242-62
Last run: 37 days
W: 10st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 104y |
10st 7lb |
Tongue-tie brought about improvement with wins over the winter in handicaps at Lingfield and valuable 3m Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (soft); reportedly never travelled when unseating at latter venue in February however and given time off since; can't rule out. |
14/1 |
|
4 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 1y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
He's 2-2 since the tongue-tie went on and, although it looked unlikely for much of the race, he stayed on much the best in the 3m Great Yorkshire Chase here a month ago (soft); he'll need to travel a bit better if he's to defy the 5lb rise but the extra 2f should help. |
6/1 |
|
1st 8 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
7yo who produced a career-best to win at Lingfield (2m6f, good to soft) last month, in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) in his third chase; had just four rivals to beat and he's up 7lb in a hotter race, but he had plenty in hand and could have more to offer over fences; effective on soft. |
9/1 |
9/1
Form: 510554
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles at Aintree (good) in April before two chase wins late in the year; three marked backward steps over fences since but he's well handicapped on best chase efforts. |
16/1 |
|
39 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 2lb
|
Reserve; won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, plus over fences at Bangor in November and Ascot in December, all over about 3m; backward steps in two further useful handicap chases, which he needs to reverse in a major way, but arriving late on the scene for those wins offers some potential for going beyond 3m; 3lb out of the handicap. |
100/1 |
|
10 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar. |
6/1 |
100/1
Form: 6886-9
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Runs well now and again but a generally regressive 11yo and others appeal more. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 8 |
29th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 167y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Very well treated on old form but last win was in April 2023 and he's generally struggled for current yard, including when tailed off in France in June; has something to prove on his return and others are preferred. |
20/1 |
|
8 |
29th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 167y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Very well treated on old form but last win was in April 2023 and he's generally struggled for current yard, including when tailed off in France in June; has something to prove on his return and others are preferred. |
20/1 |
7/1
Form: 81/519 D
Last run: 42 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Very lightly raced for his age and took his form to a new level when winning valuable handicap at Haydock (3m, soft; up 6lb today) in November under 5lb claimer; found an Ascot Grade 1 far too tough six weeks ago but could have more to offer for his shrewd Irish stable now he's back in a handicap. |
7/1 |
|
1 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Very lightly raced for his age and took his form to a new level when winning valuable handicap at Haydock (3m, soft; up 6lb today) in November under 5lb claimer; found an Ascot Grade 1 far too tough six weeks ago but could have more to offer for his shrewd Irish stable now he's back in a handicap. |
7/1 |
20/1
Form: 0-0524 D
Last run: 64 days
W: 11st 1lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted. |
20/1 |
|
5 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted. |
20/1 |
|
4th 4 |
29th Nov 2024 Soft 3m 0f 52y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Gradually finding his form this term; now 0-7 for current yard and appears to have the worst chance at the weights in this field but could perform well, having finished 2l third in this race last year. |
25/1 |
11/1
Form: 12-166 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 10st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 125y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Prolific winner over hurdles; just as good over fences and holding his form well, beaten off only on run-in when second at Leicester (2m6f; stays 3m1f well) four weeks ago; handles any ground; leading contender. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
6th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 6f 151y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
Prolific winner over hurdles; off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) when fitted with first-time cheekpieces in January, and matched that level when runner-up at Newbury the following month; can make his presence felt again but he's never won off a mark this high. |
2/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Prolific winner over hurdles; it was in a lower grade when getting off the mark over fences at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) but that was fairly comfortable and it was his first time in cheekpieces; off 5lb higher he can make his presence felt. |
3/1 |
16/1
Form: -22272 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 5lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
2nd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
pressed leader, weakened after 2 out |
4/1 |
|
9 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough. |
16/1 |
|
9 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough. |
16/1 |
7/1
Form: 1-2633
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
10st 3lb |
Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best. |
7/1 |
|
10 |
1st Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 7f 98y Class 1 |
10st 3lb |
Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 2 |
10st 4lb |
Had wind surgery before penultimate start; due to have this tongue-tie first time at Market Rasen (near 3m, soft) five weeks ago but ran without it and was back to form in a close third of seven; in the mix. |
5/1 |
9/1
Form: -44112 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good. |
11/2 |
|
1st 8 |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere. |
6/1 |
|
7 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away. |
6/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £25.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £21.25 |
| Tricast | £464.09 |
| Trifecta | £912.00 |
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