14.50
SoftStar Sports National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £45560
- 2m 3f 29y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
8/13 (Won)
- Win: £1.50
- Place: £1.10
Form: 5-F341 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 154
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; the freshest contender in this race, having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival and been absent since landing the National Spirit at Fontwell (2m3f) over six weeks ago when taking hurdles record to 7-11; sole attempt at Aintree resulted in a Grade 1 novice success on Boxing Day 2024; likely to go well. |
14/1 |
|
1st 1 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Smart novice (Grade 1 winner on soft) at up to 2m5f last season; early faller on reappearance in November before 8l third in Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle (2m3f, good to soft); outstayed when fourth in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) the following month but got back on the scoresheet when taking a classy Windsor conditions hurdle (2m4f, soft; career-best form) last month; key player despite a half penalty for the Grade 1 win. |
8/13 |
16/1
- Place: £4.20
Form: 18/554 CD
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 4lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
15th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Veteran who finds winning hard these days but on last two starts he held his own in Grade 2s at Fontwell and Fairyhouse, races he had won previously; retains plenty of enthusiasm and can go well back in a handicap. |
11/2 |
|
4th 6 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 3lb |
Won this race two years ago and returns on the back of finishing second in the Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell, a race he'd won twice before; however, he's well into the veteran stage and looks vulnerable. |
25/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
13yo who has a fine record in this race, his three appearances yielding two wins (2021 and 2023) and a head second to Botox Has in 2022; also bagged a Fairyhouse Grade 2 (2m4f, soft to heavy) in the spring of 2024; not so good these days, however, and he was beaten 13l in a Taunton handicap (2m3f, good to soft) last month. |
16/1 |
10/1
Form: 37-F50 CD
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 57y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month. |
10/1 |
|
12th 1 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell. |
14/1 |
3/1
Form: 09-911 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 1lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 2 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 11lb |
Useful mare whose record of 6-12 over hurdles includes two handicap wins over C&D and Listed honours at Sandown; heavy ground possibly contributed to a form-dip last time; faded into midfield in this race last year but was ridden more prominently than usual; on a stiffer mark this time. |
14/1 |
|
4th 5 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Lightly raced and thriving, better than ever at the age of nine; took hurdles record to 6-11 when staying on strongly to win Listed event at Sandown (2m4f, good; handles soft) early last month; has a 4lb penalty for that but she's very well entered up at the Cheltenham festival next month and commands plenty of respect here. |
3/1 |
9/1
Form: 4-3F41
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 91y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Fourth in this last year (good to soft) and he comfortably made all at Warwick (2m5f, heavy) in February; pulled up at Fontwell 15 days later but that was a Grade 2; could make a bold bid back in a handicap. |
16/1 |
|
5th 4 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 29y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Very useful handicapper who picked up a third hurdle race when comfortably landing Warwick handicap (2m5f, heavy) a fortnight ago; something to find in this company but he's in form and the type to run above himself. |
9/1 |
|
1st 3 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 5y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
2m/3m winner over hurdles; reappearance was encouraging but fell over fences next time and wasn't at his best back in this discipline at Haydock (3m, good to soft); nothing wrong with this mark if he can get himself back on track; ground fine. |
5/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £8.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £9.98 |
| Trifecta | £26.40 |
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