15.35
SoftFitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £57233
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 2
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly sunny
11/1 (Won)
- Win: £12.50
- Place: £3.60
Form: 44-624 D BF
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 12 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Has performed well in several notable handicaps, including a strong success at Windsor (2m; beat the subsequent County winner) in January and good second at the Cheltenham Festival (upped to 2m4f, soft) last time; solid contender who looks set for another big run. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 23 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Fairly useful hurdler at about 2m and ran creditably (lost two places close home; finished fourth) in the Fred Winter at this meeting 12 months ago; bagged a valuable pot at Windsor (soft) in January but form dipped last time; goes into unknown territory over this longer distance. |
33/1 |
|
6 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 51y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
5yo who races prominently and has been progressive this season in some competitive handicaps, finishing second at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December and winning at Windsor (2m, soft) last month; up 5lb for last time but he did it nicely and could continue to improve; respected. |
8/1 |
15/2
- Place: £1.60
Form: P1-231 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Progressive 7yo won a competitive Ascot handicap in December (15.5f, good to soft) and was second in a valuable Windsor handicap next time (2m, soft); posted career-best effort in the County Hurdle last time, keeping on well to win by three lengths (2m1f, soft); has course form after filling the second spot in a festival handicap here last season; enters Grade 1 company now and will need a good fist of improvement again, but he's clearly thriving. |
11/1 |
|
1st 6 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December; backed that up when second of 14 in another valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; likeable but he will need more again. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; had nearly 3l to spare over the runner-up Hot Fuss and he's respected up 7lb. |
15/2 |
8/1
- Place: £2.70
Form: 112-0 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
2-2 (heavy/soft) prior to 6l second in Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last April; pulled hard and down the field behind Wilful on handicap/seasonal debut at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) but could settle better now in a hood; a tongue-tie is also applied; retains potential and he's Harry Skelton's mount among Dan Skelton's four runners; interesting. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 6 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 209y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
took keen hold, soon raced in third, jumped left and hit 2nd, went second 3 out |
4/1 |
|
6 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 209y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Made a winning debut at Auteuil (2m2f, heavy) in October and had little difficulty landing very short odds in a Wetherby juvenile hurdle (2m, soft) for new connections in February; it was a weak race at Wetherby but he could no more than win easily and has the potential for significant improvement. |
4/1 |
8/1
Form: 15-224 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Second-season hurdler who is proving consistent; creditable fourth in competitive races won by Dance And Glance and Hot Fuss on last two starts; becoming a little exposed but again seems likely to give his running and is solid in that respect. |
14/1 |
|
4th 14 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 8lb |
Second-season hurdler who was runner-up on first two starts this term (2m1f/2m, good to soft; including here) before close fourth of 15 at Ascot (1m7f, soft) four weeks ago; might not be far away. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
29th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 167y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Bumper/hurdle winner but he was a well-held fifth of nine on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in February; still unexposed but he needs to find more progress after 252 days off. |
6/1 |
16/1
Form: 410-96 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 10st 13lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Five-time hurdle winner; inconsistent this season and not yet proven over this far but the form of his fifth in a valuable race at Windsor (2m, soft) in January reads very well in this context, and he didn't run badly when fourth at Stratford (2m, soft) last month; big player if on song. |
8/1 |
|
4th 1 |
9th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 70y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Won this from 3lb lower in 2024; ran creditably at Windsor (2m Class 2; fifth, 20-1) in January but pulled up in a premier handicap at Newbury subsequently; drying ground wouldn't play to his strengths. |
20/1 |
|
11 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Steadily finding his form this season, respectable fifth to Hot Fuss at Windsor (soft) most recently; may be about to reach boiling point and he'll be particularly interesting if the ground is heavy, having been successful in last four attempts on that surface. |
12/1 |
10/1
Form: 4-3112 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 91y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Merely mid-division in the Morebattle at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in February having been backed into favouritism; however, he's been a promising novice this season and is capable of better than he showed last time; not written off up in trip. |
14/1 |
|
9th 8 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 51y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Lightly raced 6yo who made it two wins in a row (good/soft) when scoring on handicap debut over C&D in December; only sixth of 14 behind Hot Fuss at Windsor (2m, soft) last month but a 3lb drop, Toby McCain-Mitchell's 5lb claim and the return to Kelso could all be positives; possibilities. |
11/1 |
|
6th 5 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Won at Bangor (2m, good) in October on second hurdle start and comfortably followed up on handicap debut in small field at Kelso (2m, soft); bumped into smart prospect in Chepstow novice (2m, good to soft) last time and this unexposed 6yo could be a contender off 9lb higher than at Kelso. |
10/1 |
50/1
Form: 005605 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 7lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Course winner whose mark continues to fall and he's not been devoid of spark this season; however, this 11yo is without a win since April 2023 and was disappointing at Ludlow last month. |
8/1 |
|
6th 4 |
19th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Second of 12 over 2m5f at Kempton just over a year ago but he hasn't posed a serious threat since, including at about 2m on his last four starts; wasn't disgraced in a valuable event at Windsor (strong handicap form) last time, however, and he's undoubtedly well handicapped these days. |
9/1 |
|
7th 15 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Well handicapped on form as recent as last February but this 11yo has been unable to pose a serious threat on his six starts since May. |
50/1 |
12/1
Form: 1614-3 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 13 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 103y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Two juvenile hurdle wins last winter; reappeared with a good third of 11 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in December and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort at Windsor when chasing home the reopposing Rubber Ball at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 6 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
2-4 in juvenile hurdles (including a win on soft) and reappeared with a good third of 11 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in December; claimer ridden when disappointing at Windsor six weeks ago but could bounce back. |
7/1 |
|
8th 13 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
2-4 in juvenile hurdles last season (including a win on soft) and he reappeared with a close third of 11 in a handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) last month; open to improvement and has an each-way shout up 2lb. |
12/1 |
8/1
Form: 3161 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Wasn't up to the task in notable handicaps the last twice; has to concede weight all round but is interesting back at this level, being 2-2 in Class 4. |
7/1 |
|
15 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Folded tamely in the Windsor event won by Hot Fuss; still has low mileage over hurdles and may resume his progress at some stage but this seems a difficult assignment; has gained his wins in Class 4 (maiden/handicap). |
50/1 |
|
9th 16 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Won maiden hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) in November on second rules start and left behind his underwhelming handicap debut when ridden more patiently to win at Wincanton (1m7f, soft); 8lb higher in a hotter race today but he did it nicely last time and is open to further improvement. |
8/1 |
12/1
Form: 071-61 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 6lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 35y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
Added to his excellent Sandown record when winning over 2m on soft in December; below par since, including a never-dangerous seventh when bidding for a third successive Imperial Cup back at Sandown, but this is the first time he's dropped to a Class 3 since winning at Cheltenham in December 2023; yard has won the last two runnings of this. |
7/1 |
|
7th 4 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who was well beaten at Windsor in January and pulled up at Newbury last month; however, he's had wind surgery since and there can be optimism he'll be a different proposition now back here, having won the last two runnings of this race (soft/good to soft) and also scored over C&D in December. |
12/1 |
|
2 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Beaten twice off lower marks in this race (third in 2024, seventh in 2025) and seems unlikely to make it third time lucky; unbeaten at Sandown and likely to be more persuasive back there next month for a crack at an Imperial Cup hat-trick. |
33/1 |
11/1
Form: 313111 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 10st 11lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
31st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 124y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today. |
16/1 |
|
11th 12 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more. |
11/1 |
|
10 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 6lb |
Beaten favourite when third to Max Of Stars over C&D 17 days ago but still ran creditably and that followed Flat and hurdles wins in September; tough, reliable and unlikely to be far away. |
11/4 |
33/1
Form: -90P09 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
24th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Off a reduced mark he won over 2m4f on good ground at Sandown and some interference didn't help matters when well beaten off this 5lb higher mark in the Swinton; still well treated on old form. |
14/1 |
|
13th 12 |
9th May 2026 Good 1m 7f 144y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Finally took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when winning at Sandown (2m4f, good) two weeks ago, always in the firing line; still well treated on old form but he's not sure to be so effective back over this shorter trip. |
18/1 |
|
1st 11 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 178y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
Kept on for sixth of 21 in first-time visor at Aintree (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and will be suited by this move back up in trip, but his last win came in 2022 and he's patently not the force of old. |
12/1 |
9/1
Form: 1354-2 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 12lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Ran no race at Windsor in January; however, prior to that he went close in a Class 2 handicap at Sandown (2m, soft; effective on good to soft); on a handy mark if factoring in Harry Atkins' claim; front runner, and not the only one. |
7/1 |
|
13th 3 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Consistent 10yo who was third in this last year (soft) and reappeared with close second to Go Dante at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; up 2lb to a career-high mark but can give another good account and 7lb claimer Harry Atkins, who is enjoying a fine winter, rides him for the first time. |
9/1 |
10/1
Form: 3331/1 D
Last run: 69 days
W: 11st 1lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
9th May 2026 Good 1m 7f 144y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Has run just four times since 2023; returned from long absence to win at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last November but failed to repeat the form in prestigious handicaps at Newbury and Sandown; something to prove. |
50/1 |
|
8 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Won at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in February 2024 and this 9yo was racing for the first time since when winning at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November 2025; he's a lot better than he showed at Newbury latest (2m, heavy; again failed to settle) but is hard to fancy on the back of that heavy defeat. |
50/1 |
|
8th 9 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Missed last term but showed further progress to score readily at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in sole outing this season, albeit the form may not be reliable as several hurdles were omitted; on a stiffer mark and goes up sharply in class. |
20/1 |
8/1
Form: 9-3261 D
Last run: 40 days
W: 10st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
8th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Solid on his form with Conman John over longer trips in October and opened his hurdles account in Kelso contest (2m, soft) in December; struggled in warm handicap since but holds major claims back down in class. |
7/2 |
|
10 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Ran well when second in 3m novice at Cheltenham (good) in October but last month's win in a maiden hurdle at Kelso came at 2m (soft; under Tristan Durrell); this lightly raced 6yo is in top hands and should be suited by a strongly run race at this trip on his handicap debut; one to consider. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 208y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Bumper winner last term; seems held by Conman John on Kelso seasonal/hurdle debut form but may do better with that outing (first since wind surgery) under his belt; runner-up in 3m point and has stamina on dam's side. |
14/1 |
Non-runners
Listentoyourheart
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £42.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £30.52 |
| Tricast | £276.31 |
| Trifecta | £639.90 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
KnickerbockergloryLAMBOURN:
Hot FussThe Guardian:
Bubble DubiDaily Mirror:
Poet LaureateDaily Mail:
No Ordinary JoeTelegraph:
Hot FussDaily Record:
Bubble DubiRP RATINGS:
KnickerbockergloryTOPSPEED:
KnickerbockergloryPOSTDATA:
Knickerbockerglory