13.45
SoftSurehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)
- Prize money: £17066.12
- 3m 0f 24y
- 3 runners
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Runners: 3 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
4/5
Form: 1021
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19th 11 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
10st 8lb |
Won a Grade 3 hurdle over this trip in 2025 but hasn't repeated that form since; some fair runs in defeat over fences this season but has to get back to his best returned to hurdles; yard second-string. |
40/1 |
|
4th 2 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 88y |
11st 12lb |
Useful 128-rated hurdler last season, including a Grade 3 win; well beaten over various trips in four beginners' chases this season, fourth behind King Alexander at Gowran was his best effort; tailed off in the Leinster National at Naas last time when 3m1f on soft to heavy may have been too far; 13lb to find on ratings with Sandor Clegane, but that rival is not the most solid. |
2/1 |
Evs
Form: 31-114 BF
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18th 20 |
29th Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 111y |
10st 11lb |
The winner of two bumpers and a maiden hurdle; this is a big ask for a maiden over fences (0-4) but his seconds read well (pushed Spread Boss Ted close in one of those) and he looked in need of further than 2m4f when behind that rival and Funiculi Funicula on his handicap debut at Punchestown; could deliver the career best this race demands. |
9/1 |
|
4th 7 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
11st 8lb |
One of eight for trainer; dual bumper and maiden hurdle winner in 2024; runner-up on chase debut at this venue (2m7f, heavy) before falling four out back here next time; failed to justify 5-6 favouritism at Naas (2m4f, soft to heavy) last time when a 0.5l second behind Spread Boss Ted; now enters handicap chase company. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
8th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 0y |
11st 12lb |
One of three for trainer; rated 134 over hurdles; completed a hat-trick (two bumpers/maiden hurdle) in 2024; finished second/third in Graded races over 3m/2m4f; good effort on chasing debut at Punchestown (2m7f, heavy) to take the runner-up spot despite market weakness; fell at four out back at that venue last time; Townend sticks with him and this looks easier than his previous starts. |
4/6 |
40/1
Form: 8-5700
Last run: 62 days
W: 10st 7lb
8 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
5th Sep 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 200y |
10st 5lb |
Second runner for yard; maiden after 21 hurdle starts but has been placed a number of times; needs to do better than recently. |
33/1 |
|
15 |
29th Aug 2025 Yielding 3m 1f 0y |
10st 4lb |
Point winner who is 0-24 under rules; only had three goes at chasing and was fourth of 16 in a handicap in May; wouldn't put a line through her. |
14/1 |
|
5th 11 |
8th Aug 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
10st 9lb |
0-20 over timber but has shaped with promise more than once this season; beaten just 2.75l off this mark on penultimate at Punchestown (3m, gd-yld); soft ground may not have suited in a chase at Killarney latest; place chance. |
10/1 |
Selections
The Irish Sun:
Ballygunner Castle