15.50
Good To SoftPertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £13615
- 3m 0f 58y
- Class 2
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
7/1 (Won)
- Win: £5.90
- Place: £2.20
Form: 40-621 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 10st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
22th 6 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
10st 11lb |
The last of his three wins in UK came in a Haydock Pertemps qualifier in February; ran respectably in the final of that series at Cheltenham but has to do more to score today. |
14/1 |
|
12th 18 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 7lb |
Made debut in January last year and has won three of eight starts, including over about 3m at Wincanton (heavy) and Haydock (good to soft) on last two; 7lb rise since latest demands better still but he keeps finding for pressure and ended up just over 5l ahead last time, stretching on further from Minella Emperor on the run-in; better still could easily be on its way. |
20/1 |
|
1st 11 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Has improved for the step up to about 3m and cheekpieces this season, building on his Chepstow second when going one better at Wincanton (heavy) last month; pulled clear with a progressive sort and a 6lb rise may underestimate this low-mileage 6yo. |
7/1 |
11/2
- Place: £2.90
Form: 51P432
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 170y |
11st 8lb |
Won two bumpers on good ground last year; 0-6 hurdling but some good placings at up to 3m; tailed off in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last time and yard look to have stronger contenders here. |
16/1 |
|
23th 20 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
Won two bumpers on good ground last year; 0-5 over hurdles but minor honours on last four occasions; 6-1, second of 13 to Champagne Chic when upped to 3m for Haydock qualifier (good to soft) on handicap debut last time, renewing his effort but not nearly as strongly as the winner on run-in; not that straightforward but there's time for him to get his act together and cheekpieces (worn in two of his bumpers, not the wins) return. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Two bumper wins came on good ground, but he has run well over hurdles on testing ground, including latest 2m6f Thurles novice second; steps up to 3m for his handicap debut; a very interesting contender for his much-respected trainer. |
11/2 |
14/1
- Place: £3.30
Form: 621513 D BF
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 19 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 170y |
10st 9lb |
Likes a stamina test, second win coming over 3m1f at Navan in December in first-time cheekpieces (soft-to-heavy); creditable efforts off revised mark twice since, latest when third (Minella Emperor second) in 3m Pertemps qualifier at Haydock on better ground; place claims. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 15 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 6lb |
Second hurdle success when stepped up to 3m1f for his Navan handicap debut (soft to heavy) in December and backed that up when third of nine over 3m at Fairyhouse (yielding) since; one of a few unexposed types in this line-up. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
14th Jan 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 0y |
10st 10lb |
Thurles maiden hurdle winner in October (2m6f, good to yielding), and runner-up was a very easy winner next time; well beaten in a novice hurdle back at that track subsequently, but ready winner when stepped up in trip in first-time cheekpieces for Navan handicap last time (3m1f, soft to heavy); stamina is his forte on breeding (dam half-sister to Best Mate), and big player here. |
7/2 |
14/1
Form: 511P-P D
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here. |
15/2 |
|
19th 9 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown. |
33/1 |
|
4th 4 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time. |
14/1 |
25/1
Form: 3-1775 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 9 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 58y |
11st 11lb |
Out of luck since winning this race last year; only 3lb higher now, and has to be taken seriously; Rian Corcoran has enjoyed a successful breakthrough season in Britain and claims a useful 4lb. |
8/1 |
|
9th 11 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Has three wins over hurdles but hasn't been at his best in four runs since returning in November; is slipping down the weights and takes a drop in class so cannot be discounted; returning cheekpieces replace blinkers. |
16/1 |
|
5th 14 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
Blew apart a 15-runner Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f) in February 2023 and underlined how effective he can be in big-field races when seeing off 24 rivals in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) last spring; hasn't come close to reproducing that form in three outings this winter but his mark has eased a little as a result; worth a second look in the betting. |
25/1 |
8/1
Form: 27/3P2
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Never landed a blow in Pertemps qualifier at Haydock last time, failing to back up his Windsor effort and taking record since winning on rules debut to 0-9; not the percentage call. |
14/1 |
|
6th 5 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Placed both hurdle starts since returning from lengthy layoff (pulled up after bad early mistake on chase debut in between), finishing second to reopposing Go To War in a competitive 3m event at Windsor (soft) last time; his previous outing over C&D (also soft) resulted in a very good second in a series final; has to enter calculations. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 8 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Hinted at retaining ability in C&D event on return from lengthy layoff but this is a stronger race; lost chance with bad early mistake switched to fences since; gained only win in May 2023. |
16/1 |
9/1
Form: 3P-5P1 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
After a brief stint over fences he got back on track in beating 14 rivals over 3m at Windsor (soft) under a positive ride; however, there was a further reminder of his inconsistency when he dropped away tamely at Haydock in February; what does heighten interest is a pretty good record when fresh. |
8/1 |
|
7th 9 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Back to form with a bang returned to hurdles when fending off Doughmore Bay in a valuable 3m handicap at Windsor (soft) 27 days ago; allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs in that contest and there's possible competition for the lead from the likes of Red Dirt Road, Stone's Throw and Stay Away Fay here; still no surprise were he to progress again, though. |
9/1 |
|
1st 14 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 4lb |
Two chase efforts this season leave a doubt over his current form; disappointing in last hurdles attempt so there are enough reasons to oppose him in this competitive race. |
20/1 |
20/1
Form: 14-720 BF
Last run: 197 days
W: 11st 5lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 120y |
11st 5lb |
Two-time chase winner; fine effort when runner-up in a Cartmel handicap chase in June 2025 but only seen three times since and well beaten both starts in 2026, over hurdles at Haydock and in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; needs to rediscover best. |
25/1 |
|
14th 18 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Runner-up at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last June and he's run well at up to 3m in the past; however, he was tailed off at 50-1 over hurdles at Haydock last month when back from a break and looks up against it today. |
66/1 |
12/1
Form: 0P-P82 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Had struggled badly in recent years but belatedly showed a smart level of ability remains when second over C&D (soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) four weeks ago; put back up 4lb but retains handicapping scope if building on that, with his top stable's good form providing hope that he can. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Won a Grade 1 novice hurdle and Grade 2 novice chase in 2023; his mark continues to tumble but for good reason and a major revival is required with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces. |
25/1 |
|
25 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) and made a promising start to chasing career last season, when he continued to look all about stamina; his career has taken a spectacular wrong turn since but there was a slight hint last time of getting back on track. |
66/1 |
11/1
Form: 22-63P
Last run: 112 days
W: 11st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Third in a Listed handicap over 2m6f at Galway (good) last summer; didn't enjoy much luck on next two starts (still in the lead when falling two out at Haydock in February) but he was well held in a big-field 2m5f handicap at Cheltenham last month; the cheekpieces worn on that occasion are discarded; still not fully exposed, particularly at 3m. |
28/1 |
|
17th 13 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
His four handicaps were over longer trips, notably when third at the Galway festival (extended 2m6f, good) last August; hampered and pulled up here in October, before falling in a narrow lead two out in 3m Pertemps qualifier at Haydock (20-1) last month; needs improvement and better luck but represents Willie Mullins and is far from fully exposed; first-time headgear too. |
18/1 |
|
3 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
11st 13lb |
Kept on well for third in Listed handicap hurdle at the Galway festival (2m6f, good) in August; looked to be going okay when hampered soon after three out and pulled up sharply in a similar race to this at Cheltenham in October; off since; this soft-ground winner remains fairly unexposed for his top Irish stable. |
11/1 |
12/1
Form: O2-322
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
17th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
In the frame on four of his five hurdling starts since switched to current stable in the autumn and beat two rivals to score on recent chasing debut at Cartmel (2m5f, good); nudged up only 1lb for that and has another big role to play here. |
7/4 |
|
1st 1 |
27th May 2026 Good 2m 5f 34y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Had three wind operations, the latest prior to him chasing home the favourite in a maiden hurdle at Perth a month ago (2m4f); he nearly won last year's EBF Final at Sandown when with Alan King, so has some class about him; won his only point and should do well over fences. |
11/10 |
|
2nd 7 |
22nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Pulled up in Haydock handicap in February to make it 0-12 under rules; had wind operations before and after that latest run; arrives with something to prove but he has lots of good placed form and is a leading contender if back on song; the tongue-tie adopted last time is left off. |
3/1 |
20/1
Form: /126-9
Last run: 104 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who was very well backed at Carlisle three weeks ago and ran out a ready winner (3m1f, good to soft); raised 6lb but appeals as a horse with more to offer. |
3/1 |
|
1st 2 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Won a Newcastle novice for Lucinda Russell last season (2m4f, soft); hasn't done quite as well since and was pulled up on first run back with Nicky Richards at Haydock in February after being hampered; capable of better than he has shown; chance |
9/2 |
8/1
Form: -35141 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 10st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 9 |
25th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Won twice over today's trip at Warwick for Dan Skelton last season (soft/good to soft); started off for Christian Williams with two pretty good efforts on good ground towards the end of that campaign but may find others in this line-up better handicapped. |
12/1 |
|
4th 11 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
11st 0lb |
Won races for Dan Skelton (2m1f/2m3f) and Olly Murphy (3m1f); now on a career-high mark, off which he was no match for the front two on stable debut at Bangor (2m7f). |
9/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 32y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Won twice over hurdles for Dan Skelton last season (2m1f/2m3f) and twice for Olly Murphy this term (3m1f); ran poorly on latest outing five weeks ago, though, and remains on career-high mark for this stable debut. |
7/2 |
Non-runners
Nurse Susan, Serious Chat, Stones Throw
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £37.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £33.51 |
| Tricast | £294.27 |
| Trifecta | £522.20 |
Selections
The Times:
Minella EmperorSPOTLIGHT:
Champagne ChicThe Sun:
Gwennie May StarTOPSPEED:
Red Dirt RoadDaily Mirror:
Nurse SusanRP RATINGS:
Champagne ChicD Express:
Minella EmperorDaily Record:
Minella EmperorThe Star:
Gwennie May StarTelegraph:
Red Dirt Road