Acts on any ground; good strike-rate includes wins in the Greatwood and Kingwell this season; ties in with Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion on Champion Hurdle running where a late blunder cost him ground when challenging for the places; has form at up to 2m3f; remains a progressive sort.
Pre-Off
J: Brendan Powell
T: Joe Tizzard🟢 BACK EARLY
6
-
12/1
+4% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
In rear - not fluent 4 out - headway 2 out - went third and keeping on when bit short of room and switched right inside final 110yds - not pace to challenge(op 11/1)
Towards rear but in touch with leaders - not fluent 3rd - headway after 5th - went third when bad mistake last - weakened gradually run-in (jockey said gelding made a bad mistake at final hurdle)(op 18/1 tchd 28/1)
Raced in third - headway and pressed leader before 2 out - ridden and led narrowly before last - wandered around run-in - kept on(op 8/13 tchd 4/9 and tchd 4/6)
Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Took keen hold - in touch with leaders - headway and going easily before 2 out - soon went second - no extra and lost second inside final 110yds(op 11/4 tchd 3/1)
Travelled strongly - took keen hold early - midfield - in touch with leaders before 4 out - headway before 3 out - joined leader last - ridden and went clear inside final 110yds - impressive(tchd 16/5 and tchd 7/2)
Took keen hold - towards rear - in touch with leaders 3rd - headway after 3 out - challenging 2 out - led before last - went clear run-in(op 5/2 tchd 6/4)
Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
Pulled hard - in touch with leaders - not fluent 1st - headway 3 out - pressed leaders 2 out - weakened quickly approaching last(op 7/1 tchd 11/2 and tchd 8/1)
South West Rail Solutions Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)
Raced in third behind clear leader - in touch with leaders 5th - went second after 4 out - prominent going best 3 out - led before 2 out - not fluent 2 out - not fluent last - shaken up and went well clear run-in - easily(op 15/8)
Probably acts on any going; high class over fences until jumping issues developed; has proved suited by the return to hurdles and an easy win at Leopardstown (2m2f) last time took his record in this sphere to 4-7; the best horse in this field if viewed on his peak chase form.
Opening
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins🔵 SP VALUE
9
6.0 → 4.5 ↑(25%)
4/1
+12.4% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
Didn't always jump with fluency - took keen hold - in rear - struggling from 3 out (jockey said gelding ran too free)(tchd 9/2)
Make The Tote App Your New Year's Resolution NYE Hurdle
Made all - soon clear - not fluent 5 out - reduced lead before 3 out - went clear again going easily approaching last - shaken up and ran on well run-in(op 13/8 tchd 7/4)
Didn't always jump with fluency - raced in fourth - mistake and detached 1st - jumped right 2nd - joined main group with one circuit to go - fell heavily 11th(tchd 9/4)
In touch with leaders - mistake 4th - not fluent 8th - mistake 4 out - outpaced just after 3 out - mistake 2 out - rallied run-in - went second final strides - no match for winner(op 8/11)
Prominent - lost position when not fluent 1st - dropped to last when bad mistake and almost fell 5th - soon pulled up (jockey said gelding made a bad mistake at fifth fence - having lost all momentum and considering the manner in which gelding stumbled he felt it prudent to pull up)(op 1/5)
Jumped right on occasions - didn't always jump with fluency - raced in second - mistake 4th - led going easily after last (usual 2 out) - went clear when nudged along omitted last - easily(op 2/5)
Took keen hold - in touch with leaders - awkward jump 2nd - led going best 4 out - went clear when not fluent last - ridden briefly and ran on well run-in
Travelled strongly - briefly led - raced in second before 1st - mistake 2nd - not fluent 3rd - not fluent 6th - led going easily after 2 out - soon clear - easily(op 2/9)
Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (GBB Race)
Prominent - not fluent 1st - led just after 2 out - 3 lengths ahead when not fluent last - soon ridden - kept on strongly and went further clear final 110yds - ridden out(op 6/5 tchd 5/4)
Raced freely - prominent - soon raced in second - bad mistake but good recovery 4 out - headway 3 out - made challenge after 2 out - shaken up to lead last - ridden clear run-in - impressive(op 4/1 tchd 5/1)
Took keen hold - midfield - headway and prominent when hampered 3 out - ridden 2 out - made strong challenge approaching last - mistake last - kept on well run-in - just held(tchd 9/2)
Prix Finot (Hurdle) () (3yo Colts & Geldings Unraced Over Obstacles) (Turf)
Prominent - progress to dispute lead after 3 out - pushed along approaching 2 out - unable to quicken with eventual winner when not fluent last - lost 2nd run-in
Went for a handicap option at the latest Cheltenham Festival and was well beaten, albeit with the race not panning out totally smoothly; dual Grade 2 winner last term but still needs to prove he's a Grade 1 hurdler and has the worst chance at the weights in this field.
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson⚪ NO EDGE
7
-
-
+10146.2% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
11 Mar 26
Cheltenham
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Midfield - not fluent 1st - slightly hampered on inner 2nd - not fluent 2 out - brief headway before last - hampered by faller just after last - soon weakened(op 18/1)
Get Your Ladbrokes Free Ascot Bet 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)
Soon raced in second - bad mistake 4th - led 7th - soon clear - reduced lead then headed and lost second just before 2 out - rallied final 110yds (trainer said gelding had scoped dirty post-race)(op 4/11 tchd 1/3)
Midfield - in touch with leaders 4th - disputing second after 3 out - pressed leader 2 out - soon led but faced challenge - headed final 110yds - kept on(op 7/4)
Follow Us On Twitter @betrhino Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)
In touch with leaders - outpaced and lost ground after 3 out - not fluent 2 out - rallied and went second last - kept on but no match for winner(op 8/1)
Racing TV Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)
Midfield - switched left and pushed along over 2f out - ridden and went third when ran green and drifted right over 1f out - kept on and went second towards finish - no match for winner(op 13/2)
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.
10am
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies🟡 BACK BY 10AM
7
-
16/1
+117% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
Led - not fluent and briefly headed 6th - headed 7th - lost position 3 out - soon weakened(op 14/1)
In touch with leaders - prominent 5th - mistake 3 out - led 2 out - pushed along and went clear approaching last - reduced lead inside final 110yds - always doing enough(op 8/15 tchd 4/9)
Turners Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Prominent - not fluent 5th - not fluent 6th - pressed leader 7th - led after 3 out - headed after 2 out - lost position home turn - weakened gradually run-in - lost fourth final 110yds
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Raced in second - not fluent 2nd - pressed leader before 3 out - led going best just after 2 out - good jump last - went clear run-in - eased inside final 110yds(op 13/8)
Alastair Down Press Room Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
In touch with leaders - jumped right 1st - not fluent 4th - not fluent 4 out - soon prominent - disputed lead 3 out - led overall just after 2 out - not fluent last - ridden and kept on well run-in(op 5/6)
Broadly progressive; has gone down the Champion Hurdle route this season and ran well in that race most recently, while leaving the impression he's ready for a return to further than 2m; leading novice hurdler at about 2m4f last term, winning the Challow and the Turners (both on good to soft ground); still unbeaten over this sort of distance and commands respect.
Late PM
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton🔵 SP VALUE
7
-
2/1
-14.3% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
Travelled strongly - in touch with leaders - headway and went second 2 out - soon short of room and switched right - mistake last - kept on but not recover(op 15/8)
Unibet Hurdle (Registered As The International Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Raced in third - shaken up and closed before last where 1 1/2 lengths down - pushed along to lead run-in - soon edged right - ran on(tchd 11/5 and tchd 5/2)
Turners Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Towards rear - steady headway from 3 out - going easily 2 out - pushed along and switched sharply right approaching last - pressed leader last - ridden run-in - led final 110yds - kept on well(op 11/4)
Travelled strongly - in touch with leaders - drifted left 2nd - went fourth after 3rd - going best from 3 out - switched right after 2 out - led after last - soon went clear - impressive(op 3/1)
Family Extravaganza Raceday Sunday 7th July Open National Hunt Flat Race (C1 Elim') (GBB) (Div I)
Raced wide - towards rear - headway into midfield 6f out - pressed leaders going easily 3f out - led 2f out - pushed along and went clear inside final furlong - promising(op 6/4 tchd 13/8)
Has form on most types of ground; took her Cheltenham Festival record to 0-3 with a defeat in the latest Champion Hurdle but that was a respectable effort without managing to confirm placings with Lossiemouth, who had played second fiddle in the Irish equivalent; record of 2-3 at about 2m4f includes an easy success in the Mersey at this meeting two years ago; very smart mare who holds leading claims at the weights.
10am
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott🔵 SP VALUE
7
-
7/4
-23.5% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
Raced in second - briefly led 6th - led 7th - hit 3 out - edged left before last - ridden and kept on well run-in(op 2/1 tchd 6/4)
In touch with leaders - prominent behind clear leader after 4 out - headway 2 out - pushed along and went second approaching last - ridden run-in - switched left final 110yds - ran on(op 2/1)
Prominent - went second before 3 out - pushed along after 2 out - ridden approaching last - soon outpaced and no chance with winner - weakened and lost second towards finish(op 5/4)
Raced in second - not fluent 1st - led just before 3 out - headed after 2 out - weakening when left in second then badly hampered by faller last - soon lost two places(op 15/8)
Raced in second - soon clear with one other - led going easily 2 out - shaken up and went clear on turn before last - ridden out final 110yds - impressive
Jumped left on occasions - led and clear with one other - not fluent 4th - hit 3 out - ridden when headed approaching last - rallied when led again run-in - ran on - gamely(op 5/2 tchd 3/1)
Raced in second - jumped slightly left 3rd - soon led - pushed along and clear after 2 out - faced challenge when mistake last - ridden and ran on run-in(tchd 4/6)
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB)
Took keen hold - in touch with leaders - mistake 4 out - slightly hampered when prominent 2 out - challenging approaching last - briefly disputed lead last - no extra inside final 110yds(op 4/5)
Travelled strongly - prominent - went third halfway - led going easily 2 out - clear approaching last - nudged out and went further clear run-in - easily(op 2/7)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle
Took keen hold - didn't always jump with fluency - in touch with leaders - mistake and pecked on landing when raced wide 4th - prominent 3 out (usual 4 out) - challenging going best 2 out - led when mistake last - clear when ridden briefly run-in - ran on(op 11/10 tchd 9/4)
Made all - jumped left on occasions - mistake 3rd - hung left on turn and pushed along briefly after 4th - going best and clear after 2 out - easily(op 1/5)
Ronan Lawlor Memorial Irish EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race
Travelled strongly - prominent in chasing group - pressed leaders 4f out - made challenge going easily home turn - led under 2f out - nudged along when went further clear inside final furlong - easily(op 9/4)
Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in the Fighting Fifth) and finished only fifth, behind some of today's rivals, when attempting to retain her crown; largely consistent and has won over 2m4f but increasing her Grade 1 tally may require further luck.
J: Lorcan Williams
T: Jeremy Scott🟢 BACK EARLY
8
-
12/1
+25.8% vs avg
Date
Course
Race
Dist
Class
Going
Pos
Ran
Open
TS
RPR
09 Apr 26
Aintree
William Hill Aintree Hurdle (GBB Race)
In touch with leaders - headway and pressed winner 3 out - lost second 2 out - no extra when lost third inside final 110yds(op 12/1 tchd 10/1)
In touch with leaders - raced in second from 3rd - challenging before 3 out - left in narrow lead 2 out - ridden and led clearly run-in - soon edged right - kept on well(op 25/1)
Raced in second - not fluent 1st - disputed lead after 4 out - weakened before 3 out - soon lost touch - eased run-in (trainer said - regarding the poor form shown - that mare stopped quickly before later reporting that mare had scoped dirty post-race; vet had nothing to report)(op 2/5 tchd 4/9)
In touch with leaders - slightly hampered 4 out - soon outpaced - went third just after 3 out - went second but 5 lengths down when left in lead last - ridden out run-in - kept on well(op 40/1 tchd 66/1)
Jumped right throughout - prominent - disputing second before 3rd - outpaced and lost ground on turn after 3 out - soon rallied - challenging 2 out - led last - ridden and kept on inside final 110yds(op 6/4 tchd 11/10)
Howden Ascot Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Towards rear but in touch with leaders - headway before 2 out - switched right just before 2 out - pushed along and disputing lead last - soon ridden - weakened final 110yds (jockey said mare did not stay the trip on season's first run)(op 7/4)
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB)
Travelled strongly - towards rear but in touch with leaders - not fluent 4 out - headway and prominent 2 out - going best when led narrowly approaching last - ridden and kept on well run-in
In touch with leaders - went second 4th - disputing second after 3 out - pressed leader when mistake 2 out - ridden to lead final 110yds - kept on well(tchd 5/1)
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)
Raced wide early - prominent - carried left after 2f - pressed leaders and pushed along over 2f out - ridden and went second over 1f out - kept on but no chance with winner final 110yds(op 66/1)
British European Breeders' Fund EBF Mares' Open NH Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)
Raced freely - midfield - headway 4f out - pushed along and led narrowly over 2f out - headed over 1f out - soon ridden - weakened final 110yds(op 4/1)
Wincanton Racing Events Golf And Footgolf Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)
Midfield - headway home turn - led narrowly over 2f out - ridden when headed but pressed leader over 1f out - led again inside final 110yds - just did enough(op 28/1)