14.21
Softwetherbyracing.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £5446
- 2m 3f 154y
- Class 4
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Form: 2/221 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 4f 118y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Beaten by good horses in his first two runs over hurdles before getting off the mark at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft), the form of which was franked by third winning easily last week; smacks of a strong stayer and he's still entered in the Turners at Cheltenham. |
11/10 |
Form: 1-31
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Three wins from first four starts and he was keeping on well and disputing third when making a bad mistake at the final flight in the Turners at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month, ultimately finishing sixth; leading claims on the back of that very promising performance. |
11/4 |
|
6th 3 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Bumper winner who was off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles when winning a Ffos Las novice in January; heavy odds-on but he still impressed when easily defying a penalty at Chepstow (also 2m, soft) last month; dam won over this trip in a light hurdling career; not far away on the figures for last year's winning stable and he's impossible to rule out. |
7/1 |
|
1st 1 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 16y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Placed in strong Warwick maiden (2m, good to soft) on seasonal/hurdle debut in November and built on that performance when beating useful rival to score at Ffos Las (2m, soft; front pair well clear of Emerald Breeze) last month; the one to beat. |
8/13 |
Form: 36-313 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18th 10 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Weakened late on (shaped better than bare result) in the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival; won with plenty to spare at Newbury (soft) the time before, taking 2m4f record under rules to 311, and may have more to offer over this distance; interesting handicap debutant. |
25/1 |
|
11th 16 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
This 6yo is a big lad with a bright future ahead of him; it's unlikely that Windsor played to his strengths when well behind Moneygarrow and he then stayed on much the best in a Newbury novice last month (extended 2m4f, soft); however, that latest race had no depth and the odds-on favourite wasn't on his game; this is a huge hike in class. |
66/1 |
|
1st 2 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 4f 118y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Bumper winner; made all at Leicester (2m4f, soft) and didn't appear to get home over 3m in a useful novice at Windsor; again has the penalty but this looks more suitable; holds the 2m5f/3m novice entries at Cheltenham. |
13/8 |
Form: 0300
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 61y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Placed in big-field Irish bumper in September; unable to get seriously competitive in three maiden/novice hurdles for new stable this year but there was some promise at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) last time, and he should have more improvement to come in handicaps. |
7/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 190y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Definite promise in two Irish bumpers but nothing like so good in a bumper and two hurdle runs for current yard. |
50/1 |
|
5th 5 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 51y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Definite promise in two Irish bumpers but nothing like so good in a bumper and maiden hurdle for current yard. |
200/1 |
Form: 62
Last run: 51 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: 75U-0P
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
18th Jul 2026 Good 2m 1f 46y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
0-11 over hurdles and prone to clumsy jumping; belied 33-1 odds when second at Perth (2m, good) last month and didn't run badly over 2m4f there 16 days ago but others look less risky. |
12/1 |
|
7th 8 |
2nd Jul 2026 Good 2m 4f 35y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Ran one of his best races since going handicapping when second to Betteryouthanme (who's now 4lb worse off for just over 1l) over 2m at Hexham last time (good; 33-1); has run creditably at this trip; a possible. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 11 |
7th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 47y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Placed off 5lb higher at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) in April but has very mixed record over hurdles and is sometimes a clumsy jumper; safely held on last two outings; others look much safer. |
20/1 |
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: 436
Last run: 63 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
13th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
10st 10lb |
Return to forcing tactics has reaped dividends, both recent course wins (2m/2m4f, good) gained making all; starts handicap life in a higher grade than he absolutely has to, and the early lead will likely be contested, but his mark isn't punitive by any means; remains of interest. |
7/4 |
|
1st 1 |
19th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 28y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Dual Irish point winner; showed marked improvement on what he'd previously achieved in three runs over hurdles when winning a maiden hurdle here over 2m this month, keeping on well; has to concede weight all round under a penalty, but his experience will help and it's likely there's more to come now going back up in trip. |
7/2 |
Betting Forcast
13/8 Bobbys Nelson, 6/4 Bossman Jack, 9/4 Swindon Village, 200/1 Au Plaisir, 25/1 Forever Louie, 14/1 Jonny Setaside, 200/1 King Kodiak, 100/1 Nordic Gift, 50/1 Passing Diamond
Non-runners
The Foreman
Verdict
This is likely to be between the three previous hurdle winners. Top of the list is BOBBY’S NELSON, who was suited by the step up in trip when winning with something to spare over 2m4f at Ffos Las last month. Swindon Village failed to see out 3m at Windsor last time and he is feared most now back down in distance, ahead of Ffos Las winner Bossman Jack.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Bobby's NelsonThe Times:
Bossman JackPOSTDATA:
Swindon VillageDaily Mail:
Bossman JackD Express:
Bossman JackDaily Record:
Bossman JackThe Guardian:
Swindon VillageThe Sun:
Swindon VillageRP RATINGS:
Bobby's NelsonTOPSPEED:
Bobby's NelsonTelegraph:
Bobby's NelsonDaily Mirror:
Bobby's NelsonThe Star:
Bobby's Nelson