April 11 / 17.00 Aintree

17.00

Good To Soft

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28135
  • 2m 0f 209y
  • Class 1
  • 20 runners
RTV
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Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 20 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

28/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.50
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 1-15 D

Last run: 113 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ridden by Heidi Palin on both outings for current yard, winning at Hexham (good to soft) before finishing a creditable fifth to Bass Hunter at Ascot (soft) when he faded late on; may not have reached his ceiling just yet; one of three contenders for Dan Skelton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Forthfactor

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Ridden by Heidi Palin on both outings for current yard, winning at Hexham (good to soft) before finishing a creditable fifth to Bass Hunter at Ascot (soft) when he faded late on; may not have reached his ceiling just yet; one of three contenders for Dan Skelton.

28/1

1st

4

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Forthfactor

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Tom Weston

prominent

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 2-1 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has a compelling profile, having gone close on debut at the 2025 Irish Grand National meeting (soft to heavy) before making a winning start for Willie Mullins back at Fairyhouse (heavy) in February; has to prove his effectiveness on less testing ground, but he looks a smart prospect and this owner/trainer combination were successful in this event 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Look Me

11st 4lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Has a compelling profile, having gone close on debut at the 2025 Irish Grand National meeting (soft to heavy) before making a winning start for Willie Mullins back at Fairyhouse (heavy) in February; has to prove his effectiveness on less testing ground, but he looks a smart prospect and this owner/trainer combination were successful in this event 12 months ago.

7/2

1st

3

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 110y

16:55 Fairyhouse

Look Me

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Excellent 0.5l second of 17 over C&D (sft-hvy) on debut for Stuart Crawford in a valuable bumper at last year's Grand National meeting and the winner is now rated 130 over hurdles; absence since is a concern but very much respected on first start for Willie Mullins.

8/15

Form: 232

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Steady improvement with each of his three runs, beaten off only late on when second at Chepstow (soft) on debut for this yard last month; may have more in the tank but he's still a maiden and this is his sternest assignment to date; fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Moments Away

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Martin Keighley

Steady improvement with each of his three runs, beaten off only late on when second at Chepstow (soft) on debut for this yard last month; may have more in the tank but he's still a maiden and this is his sternest assignment to date; fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time.

20/1

2nd

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 5

17:40 Chepstow

Moments Away

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

9l second of 14 on debut at Ballinrobe (2m, good) last May and 3l third of nine at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) in January on final run for David Harry Kelly; could be in the mix on his first outing for Martin Keighley.

11/2

3rd

5

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:00 Fairyhouse

Moments Away

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: David Harry Kelly

Can be rated a possible future winner on the evidence of a debut second at Ballinrobe last May; trainer saddled two winners during the New Year schedule.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1160 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Successful in his first two races (on good ground) but has come unstuck in a higher grade since, well beaten behind Bass Hunter at the Cheltenham Festival last month; difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:50 Uttoxeter

Chicker

11st 3lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fairly useful form when winning his first two bumpers but well held in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last two runs; has since had a wind op and remains with potential now going hurdling.

5/1

11th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Chicker

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Successful in his first two races (on good ground) but has come unstuck in a higher grade since, well beaten behind Bass Hunter at the Cheltenham Festival last month; difficult to recommend.

33/1

18th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

17:20 Cheltenham

Chicker

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

His wins at Worcester and here came on good ground, so perhaps the soft surface found him out when only sixth in a Listed race back here in November; however, on all his form, this looks three bridges too far.

66/1

Form: 113 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Assembling an impressive CV in bumpers, following all-the-way wins at Newbury (good to soft) and Ascot (soft) with an excellent third at the Cheltenham Festival (good) where he stuck to his task gamely after being headed over 1f out; that's the best form on offer and he's the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Bass Hunter

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Chris Gordon

Assembling an impressive CV in bumpers, following all-the-way wins at Newbury (good to soft) and Ascot (soft) with an excellent third at the Cheltenham Festival (good) where he stuck to his task gamely after being headed over 1f out; that's the best form on offer and he's the one to beat.

9/4

3rd

1

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

17:20 Cheltenham

Bass Hunter

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not an instant success in Irish points but 2-2 in bumpers despite free-going tendencies evident in both; made all at Newbury (good to soft) and repeated the trick at Ascot (soft) where he was in splendid isolation for large parts of the race before predictably tiring late on; that form has taken a battering but he was much the best of that field; should similar tactics be employed, it may help that this race is often slowly run; highly regarded and much respected.

9/1

Form: 21 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Favourite in both his bumpers, taking second at Chepstow (good) before going one better at Fakenham (soft); remains open to improvement but has plenty to find on the figures and Harry Skelton rides stablemate Risky Obsession.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Cooltobecareless

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Favourite in both his bumpers, taking second at Chepstow (good) before going one better at Fakenham (soft); remains open to improvement but has plenty to find on the figures and Harry Skelton rides stablemate Risky Obsession.

25/1

1st

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:35 Fakenham

Cooltobecareless

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Won his Irish point on heavy ground and the second has won over hurdles; beaten favourite in what's proved a modest bumper at Chepstow in October but that was still an encouraging run with a view to the future (well related).

11/10

4

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

17:02 Chepstow

Cooltobecareless

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won his Irish point on heavy ground and by a length from Hot To Go who has since joined the Twiston-Davies outfit for £165,000 (yet to race for that yard); this 4yo has to be of interest.

11/4

10/1

Form: 0/1-1 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2-2 since joining Emma Lavelle; easily saw off eight rivals at Hereford (good ground) last month after a long layoff; well up the pecking order on ratings and should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

20th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:20 Ffos Las

One Knight

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Won his first two bumpers for this yard under Cameron Johnstone-Baker (good to soft/good) before disappointing in a Grade 2 at the Grand National meeting; could easily be up to this on his hurdling debut.

4/6

14th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

One Knight

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Emma Lavelle

2-2 since joining Emma Lavelle; easily saw off eight rivals at Hereford (good ground) last month after a long layoff; well up the pecking order on ratings and should be in the thick of things again.

10/1

1st

1

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

17:05 Hereford

One Knight

11st 9lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Left behind an underwhelming debut when making all to win a Southwell (good to soft) bumper for new stable and ridden by Cameron Johnstone-Baker in December 2024, posting a useful RPR; key player if ready to roll after a 477-day absence.

11/10

Form: 8110 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive in three outings in Ireland, winning under a penalty at Ballinrobe (soft) and subsequently changing hands for £100,000; however, he ran no sort of race in a Listed event at Newbury (heavy; 12-1) on his debut for current yard and this contest is even more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Governors Rock

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Progressive in three outings in Ireland, winning under a penalty at Ballinrobe (soft) and subsequently changing hands for £100,000; however, he ran no sort of race in a Listed event at Newbury (heavy; 12-1) on his debut for current yard and this contest is even more competitive.

33/1

10th

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:30 Newbury

Governors Rock

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won on good ground at Wexford before defying a penalty on soft at Ballinrobe where he quickened up smartly for a 5.5l verdict; previous and subsequent exploits of the runner-up gives that form substance; since recruited for £100,000; hard to dismiss.

14/1

1

12th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 24y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Governors Rock

11st 10lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Mark Fahey

Built on middling bumper debut at Bellewstown in early July to win at Wexford later in month, always close up in ordinary affair (good); left Peter Flood and debuts for new yard here.

7/1

Form: 292

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Newton Abbot and Lingfield but put firmly in his place in Listed race at Cheltenham in between; needs a great leap forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Makingplansfor

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: David Evans

Runner-up at Newton Abbot and Lingfield but put firmly in his place in Listed race at Cheltenham in between; needs a great leap forward.

66/1

2nd

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:53 Newton Abbot

Makingplansfor

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: David Evans

Fifth foal; brother to 1m4f winner Looking Dandy (RPR 66); dam German 1m4f winner, sister to bumper and 2m2f/2m4f hurdle winner Shanandoa, half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster; rare bumper runner for yard these days and market should guide.

20/1

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:53 Newton Abbot

Makingplansfor

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: David Evans

Fifth foal; brother to 1m4f winner Looking Dandy (RPR 66); dam German 1m4f winner, sister to bumper and 2m2f/2m4f hurdle winner Shanandoa, half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster; rare bumper runner for yard these days and market should guide.

20/1

Form: 0-62

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A little more improvement when runner-up at Taunton (good) last month, on first outing after wind surgery; now fitted with a hood and a tongue-strap but he looks out of his depth in this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Barachiel

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Robert Stephens

A little more improvement when runner-up at Taunton (good) last month, on first outing after wind surgery; now fitted with a hood and a tongue-strap but he looks out of his depth in this grade.

100/1

2nd

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

17:15 Taunton

Barachiel

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Robert Stephens

Well held in a pair of bumpers, beating one at Haydock when last seen out ten months ago; needs subsequent wind surgery to spark improvement.

16/1

6th

4

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

14:10 Haydock

Barachiel

11st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

always behind

100/1

Form: 16 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Overcame greenness to win at Sandown (good to soft) in November with plenty in hand, but that race has not worked out well and he could finish only midfield at Kempton next time; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for £72,000 after finishing third in an Irish point in November, and he dug deep when making all in bumper at Warwick (good to soft) five weeks ago on debut for current yard; Ben Jones jumps ship to ride Rices Pool, but this one is unexposed and cannot be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His second in an Irish point has substance and he justified favouritism in bumper at Taunton (good to soft) with more in hand than the relatively short winning margin suggests; Ben Pauling runs four and stable jockey Ben Jones rides this one; improvement required but certainly possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 16 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Might have been unsuited by heavy ground when tailed off in Listed race at Newbury (100-30) in February, and he'd previously made an excellent impression when winning an Irish point (good to yielding) and a bumper at Warwick (good to soft); surely still has untapped potential and jockey bookings suggest he's the pick of Dan Skelton's three.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 511 D

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Significant improvement with each of his three runs, winning at Newcastle in December and January (both good to soft); not hard pressed to pull 11l clear in a big field on latest; solid candidate with each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 124 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all at Hereford (good) in November and has run well in defeat twice since, albeit finishing behind Risky Obsession at Warwick and Merlin Allen at Kempton; hard to knock but others still have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to the stable's smart 1m7f-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Notlongtillmay; off to the perfect start at Kelso (heavy; 7-1) in February, leading inside the final 1f and beating eight opponents; open to improvement but he's in much deeper here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A fourth runner for the Ben Pauling yard, and like two of the others he's 1-1 under rules; sent off a well-backed favourite when comfortably accounting for four rivals at Fontwell (soft) four weeks ago; could be anything but this is a much stiffer task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 13 CD BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat 11 opponents handsomely in junior event over C&D in November and ran well under a penalty against older rivals at Kempton (again good to soft) seven weeks ago; in good hands and remains open to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 154

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a winning start for a different yard at Catterick (soft) in January, but his limitations seem to have been exposed since; only fourth at Warwick 16 days ago and he has much more on his plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £57.50
Straight Forecast £42.38
Tricast £567.43
Trifecta £584.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bass Hunter

Telegraph:

Look Me

POSTDATA:

One Knight

The Times:

Rices Pool

Daily Mail:

Risky Obsession

D Express:

Look Me

Daily Record:

Look Me

The Guardian:

Rices Pool

LAMBOURN:

One Knight

Daily Mirror:

One Knight

RP RATINGS:

Bass Hunter

TOPSPEED:

Bass Hunter

The Sun:

Bass Hunter

The Star:

Bass Hunter