15.50
Good To SoftLeicester Racecourse Ideal Conference Venue Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £7393.4
- 2m 4f 25y
- Class 3
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 1230P-
Last run: 299 days
W: 11st 8lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 19 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today. |
40/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Made a winning return at Carlisle (2m) in October 2024 but his form nosedived later in the season, pulled up in the Topham at Aintree last spring on his final run for Charlie Longsdon; since changed hands for £20,000 and he needs to hit the ground running for his new yard after ten months off. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 413-U6 C
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 20y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Good second at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well before fading into 14 third at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; however, his best form has come on soft/heavy ground and such conditions seem unlikely today. |
15/2 |
|
3rd 2 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Predictably struggled in Grade 1 Ascot Chase three weeks ago but looked as good as ever when second in good Sandown handicap (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and will be fine over today's trip; good chance. |
9/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 771-P8 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 20y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Easily made all in first-time visor over C&D (good to soft) last April; hard to fancy on his three runs this term but, given his previous reaction to new headgear, it's possible cheekpieces will garner a positive response. |
9/1 |
|
7th 2 |
31st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 138y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Easily made all in first-time visor (retained since) at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last April and he stays this far; however, pulled up/tailed off on his two outings this season and needs to turn things around. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /13-12 D BF
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 203y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Has won two of his four chases since joining Olly Murphy and impressed over C&D (soft) in February; an 8lb rise appeared to anchor him in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham, though good ground could have been another factor in him being below par (seems ideally served by softer); respected but one or two others appeal more. |
9/2 |
|
7th 16 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 8lb |
Campaigned mostly on soft/good to soft; bumper/hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls; record of 121 (over 2m4f) since joining new yard and switched to chasing, both wins gained in comfortable fashion, latest at Haydock; could make some waves in these deeper waters, being a lightly raced and improving contender. |
12/1 |
|
1st 6 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
A fairly useful bumper/hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls; has looked an improved model sent chasing for his new handler this winter, scoring easily at Southwell (2m4f) before a clear second of six in 2m4f Leicester handicap 48 days ago; up 4lb but he has more to offer and merits serious consideration. |
100/30 |
Abandoned
Form: P11-P3
Last run: 108 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
23rd May 2026 Good 2m 1f 77y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Won twice over fences at around this trip last spring; not so good since but is 1lb lower than his last winning mark so cannot be ruled out. |
13/2 |
|
3rd 2 |
4th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Won twice last spring at about this trip but essentially underwhelming since, albeit in better races than this; the drop in class should be welcomed. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 314-31 CD
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 |
2nd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 2 |
10st 3lb |
Won four-runner mares' chase at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month and is now 4-9 over fences; this race is much more competitive but she could have untapped potential over 3m. |
7/1 |
|
1st 1 |
6th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 194y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Hurdle winner on soft but two chase wins in 2025 were on good to soft, latterly at Cheltenham (about 2m4f) in December, and failures since have come on heavy and soft; needs to jump better than she did at Ludlow in February (over 17l behind Malaita) but she could revive back on good ground. |
11/4 |
Verdict
Western Zephyr goes well fresh, and is quite tempting on this stable debut, but appreciable rain could count against him. In the circumstances it might pay to take a chance on CLASSIC MAESTRO, who will be fine if the heavens open and is just 1lb higher than when scoring at this track in February. Party Vibes (second choice) and The Bluesman also command plenty of respect.[Richard Russell]