13.51
SoftWeatherbys ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £8604.68
- 3m 0f 41y
- Class 3
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
Abandoned
Form: 3/213- D
Last run: 211 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
He can make mistakes and was pulled up at Fairyhouse just 12 days ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained); however, he jumped to the left and returns to a left-handed track for the first time since his promising second on chase debut at Haydock (2m4f, soft); won 3m maiden hurdle here; interesting. |
25/1 |
|
10 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 120y |
11st 2lb |
Bumper and maiden hurdle winner, both at Ayr; best of three chase efforts came at Haydock in December when 2l behind the 124-rated Lario; has run well here over timber and he can't be fully dismissed in a new headgear combination. |
9/1 |
|
5th 4 |
17th Mar 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 86y |
11st 8lb |
124-rated hurdler was beaten 2l on his chase debut at Haydock (2m4f, soft) and that form has been boosted by the third who has won twice since; beaten 4.5l over 3m in a Carlisle handicap chase on latest; could do better dropped back in trip; chance. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: /4120- D
Last run: 251 days
W: 11st 5lb
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 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-13P6 C
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 11 |
25th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Back in good form in new headgear this spring, most notably when winning at Kelso (2m6f, good) two starts ago; will be suited by this longer trip and is probably still on a workable mark; could have a say. |
9/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
6th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 151y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won this race last year and he improved his hurdling record to 5-13 when beating Jericoacoara over C&D (second-time blinkers) two weeks ago; up 6lb but he was as good as ever with that comfortable success and is a major player again. |
9/4 |
|
1st 6 |
20th Apr 2026 Good 2m 6f 151y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
4-12 over hurdles (including C&D win); out of sorts when pulled up twice in the winter (wore cheekpieces) but bounced back with creditable third in valuable series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft; first-time blinkers) last month and has possibilities if in the right mood again. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 14P2-5
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
Won two small-field handicaps at Kelso (soft/heavy) over the extended 2m7f, easily on penultimate start (made most) despite the odd jumping indiscretion; wore cheekpieces that day and again when an excellent second of 17, coming from out the back, in the NH Chase at Cheltenham (3m6f, good to soft); his jumping can be a bit sticky but he's a prime candidate for 4m. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 201y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Twice successful in small-field handicaps at Kelso (soft/heavy) over the extended 2m7f, easily on latest start (made most) despite the odd jumping indiscretion; wore first-time cheekpieces that day, in response to his Windsor run (3m, soft) in which he got going a good deal later even than the winner Guard The Moon; up 10lb since last time but he now looks a prime candidate for serious stamina tests such as this if his jumping holds up. |
12/1 |
|
1st 6 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Won over C&D (soft) in December on second chase start; got detached before keeping on for fourth of five, beaten just over 5l, at Windsor (3m, soft) four weeks ago; this lightly raced 7yo might be just the type to benefit from the cheekpieces and he retains potential for his good yard. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 10P39-
Last run: 263 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 0f 20y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice. |
14/1 |
|
1st 3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip. |
11/8 |
|
2nd 3 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 133y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces. |
4/1 |
Verdict
Henri The Second was the best of these over hurdles and had an excuse when well beaten on his sole previous chase start in 2023, but now needs to prove himself over fences and he’s likely to be a short price. Preference is for KING OF ANSWERS, who is open to improvement now back up in trip on his second chase start. Ayiko was progressive over hurdles earlier this year and is second choice.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
POSTDATA:
King Of AnswersDaily Mirror:
King Of AnswersThe Sun:
King Of AnswersDaily Record:
AyikoTelegraph:
Henri The SecondThe Guardian:
Henri The SecondDaily Mail:
Henri The SecondThe Star:
Henri The Second