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BUDDY ONE – GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS 2026: A STRUGGLING CHASER WITH FUNDAMENTAL LIMITATIONS
Buddy One presents as a misaligned Grand National runners prospect. The rather leggy 9-year-old gelding trained by Paul John Gilligan was a smart hurdler with genuine Grade 1 form and a productive Festival record. However, his attempted transition to chasing has been disappointing, and more critically, he has proven form over 3 miles according to Timeform—a full 1¼ miles short of the Grand National distance, with no demonstrated capability beyond that proven range.
His recent record over both hurdles and fences reveals a horse struggling to find his form in either sphere and lacking the competitive sharpness required for 4¼ miles.
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Buddy One: The Timeform Profile
Buddy One is a rather leggy gelding, smart hurdler, and useful chaser. At 9 years old, he is within the usual age range for Grand National runners. He acts on heavy going, which aligns with traditional Grand National conditions. However, he only has proven form over 3 miles according to Timeform—a limitation that requires serious consideration when assessing his suitability as a Grand National runners prospect, particularly given he remains unproven at distances longer than 3 miles.
The gelding has worn cheekpieces in his last two starts and has worn tongue tie at various points. Equipment changes suggest connections remain uncertain about his optimal setup.
The Hurdling Record: Past Glory, Current Decline
Buddy One's reputation as a Grand National runners prospect rests largely on his previous hurdling form, which was genuinely impressive. His highlights include:
Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle (March 2024), 24 furlongs: Fifth of 13 to Bob Olinger.
This was described as his "best recent effort" and demonstrates he competed at the highest level.
Aintree (April 2024), 24.7 furlongs: Second of 10, 4.25 lengths behind the winner.
Reverse form with Flooring Porter and managed to finish 2nd in a really solid showing, described as "deserving plenty of credit for following up his Stayers' Hurdle performance"
Punchestown (May 2024), 23.5 furlongs: Fourth of 11, 7 lengths behind the winner.
Completed a hattrick of solid runs at the major spring Festivals, wasn't able to win but hitting the frame is a significant achievement
Cheltenham Handicap (November 2023), 24 furlongs: Winner by 1 length.
Timeform noted he was "clearly no sluggard but finding still more improvement for the step up to 3m."
This hurdling form is genuinely smart. Buddy One competed at Grade 1 level, finished in frame at all three major spring festivals, and showed progressive form over staying hurdle distances. However, this hurdling success occurred largely in 2023 and early 2024—nearly two years ago from today
Recent Hurdles Record: Significant Decline
Buddy One's recent hurdles efforts are markedly inferior to his 2023/24 performances:
March 2026 at Cheltenham (Handicap Hurdle), 21 furlongs on good
Eleventh of 24, 19½ lengths behind the winner. Timeform noted he was "below form when unsuited by drop in trip." While it was a significantly shorter trip than is optimum, it was hardle an encouraging performance.
December 2025 at Navan (Handicap Hurdle), 25.4 furlongs on heavy
Pulled up. "Ran poorly back over hurdles; mid-division, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next." A pulled-up run is a serious concern for any jumping horse and particularly for a Grand National runners prospect. It suggests either physical issues or profound loss of form.
April 2025 at Aintree (Grade 1 Hurdle), 24.7 furlongs on good
Seventh of 11, 24.5 lengths behind the winner. "Underperformed and maybe wasn't over his Cheltenham exertions; in rear, blundered ninth, reminders after 4 out, weakened before 2 out." He was "in rear" and "blundered ninth"—jumping issues—and weakened significantly late in the race. This was at a Grade 1 level where he previously competed competitively.
The Chasing Transition: Unsuccessful and Revealing
Buddy One's move to chasing has been a disappointment, revealing fundamental issues that undermine any Grand National runners candidacy:
October 2024 at Galway (Novice Chase), 22.5 furlongs on good/soft
Winner of 3 by 7.5 lengths. Timeform noted: "was the clear pick on hurdles form and ultimately made fairly light work of landing the odds sent chasing after 5 months off, outjumped by a more experienced rival in the latter stages but still settling the issue quickly once rushed up to regain the lead soon after the last." This single victory is his only chase win. The commentary reveals a horse that required rushing up to regain a lead and was "outjumped by a more experienced rival," suggesting he doesn't have the technical jumping skill needed for the Grand National's demanding fences.
October 2024 at Wexford (Listed Chase), 23 furlongs on heavy
Third of 3, 17 lengths behind the winner. "Will need to brush up his jumping if he's to get close to his hurdles form in this sphere, as at Galway failing to take a cut at the fences whilst setting a modest gallop and soon done with once headed after a final error 2 out." The comment "failing to take a cut at the fences" is damaging. This suggests Buddy One lacks confidence over the larger chase obstacles and is not naturally suited to chasing.
November 2024 at Cheltenham (Listed Chase), 24.5 furlongs on good/soft
Fourth of 4, 14.5 lengths behind the winner. "He is so far falling some way short of the level he reached over the smaller obstacles; his jumping was largely more fluent than last time, but there was little pressure on it until 2 out, where his first real mistake ended his chance." "Falling some way short" and "first real mistake ended his chance"—this is a horse struggling with the demands of chasing.
December 2024 at Leopardstown (Grade 1 Chase), 24.5 furlongs on good/soft
Third of 4, 19 lengths behind the winner. "Has been overshadowed by more obvious chasing types since sent over fences; waited with, left behind straight." "Left behind straight" indicates a horse lacking competitive edge in open company. • October 2025 at Galway (Handicap Chase), 22.5 furlongs on soft: Sixth of 9, 20 lengths behind the winner. "Isn't a natural chaser and is proving expensive to follow in this sphere; close up, jumped tentatively, beaten 2 out." "Isn't a natural chaser" and "jumped tentatively" are conclusive statements. Buddy One does not possess the instinctive ability or confidence for chase jumping.
February 2026 at Gowran (Grade 2 Chase), 19.3 furlongs on heavy
Fourth of 4, 11 lengths behind the winner. "Brought up the rear in first-time cheekpieces back over fences after 10 weeks off, outpaced from 2 out having been typically less than fluent." "Typically less than fluent"—this is a recurring pattern. Buddy One is not a fluent chaser.
The Distance Profile: Proven and Unproven
Range Buddy One has proven form over 3 miles according to Timeform. This represents his demonstrated staying capability in recent racing. The Grand National requires 4¼ miles—1¼ miles beyond his proven range.
His performances at distances up to 3 miles show solid capability, but he remains unproven at longer distances:
- His longest recent effort came at approximately 25.4 furlongs (Navan, December 2025 hurdle, where he pulled up).
- His typical best distance appears to be around 24 furlongs.
- At 25+ furlongs, his form deteriorates markedly or shows pulling-up concerns.
Critically, there is no evidence from his racing record that he has been tested at distances approaching 4¼ miles, leaving his potential capability at that trip entirely unknown. However, given his demonstrated struggles at even his proven distance in recent form, and his lack of racing experience beyond 3 miles, extending to 4¼ miles represents a significant and unproven step.
Recent Form: Summary of Decline
Across both hurdles and chases in 2025-2026, Buddy One's record is:
- March 2026: Eleventh over hurdles (below form, unsuited by drop in trip)
- February 2026: Fourth in a Grade 2 chase (outpaced, not fluent)
- December 2025: Pulled up over hurdles
- October 2025: Sixth in chase (jumped tentatively, expensive to follow)
- September 2025: Seventeenth on the Flat (interference early)
- July 2025: Sixth in chase (bad mistake 4 out)
This is a record of consistent underperformance. Buddy One is not rediscovering form; he is in clear decline across multiple spheres.
Jumping Quality: Persistently Below Required Standard
The recurring theme in Buddy One's recent chasing record is jumping quality:
- "Jumped tentatively"
- "Typically less than fluent"
- "Failing to take a cut at the fences"
- "Not a natural chaser"
- "First real mistake ended his chance"
For Grand National runners, where jumping precision and consistency over 30 fences are non-negotiable, Buddy One's technical deficiency is concerning.
Age and Experience
At 9 years old, Buddy One is within the acceptable age range for Grand National runners. However, his chasing experience is limited and unsuccessful. He has made only a handful of chase starts (approximately 10-12) with one victory and predominantly poor form.
This limited and disappointing chasing record provides little confidence for a 4¼-mile attempt.
Assessment: Buddy One as a Grand National Runners Prospect
Buddy One presents as a former smart hurdler attempting an unsuccessful transition to chasing, with distance limitations and technical deficiencies that make him a difficult prospect as a Grand National runners candidate. His positives are limited:
- Smart hurdling form (2023-2024)
- Acts on a variety of going
- Suitable age (9)
However, the negatives are substantial and concerning:
- Proven effective to 3 miles, but remains unproven at marathon distances
- No demonstrated racing experience beyond 3 miles
- Chasing record is disappointing and revealing of technical deficiency
- "Not a natural chaser" per Timeform assessment
- Jumping inconsistency ("not fluent," "tentative," "mistakes")
- Recent form is in clear decline (pulled-up run, fourth-place finishes)
- Respiratory concerns noted
- Limited and unsuccessful chasing experience
The Fundamental Problem
Buddy One is a hurdler, not a chaser. His attempted transition to fences has failed. He "isn't a natural chaser" and "isn't fluent" over chase obstacles. These are not minor technical concerns; they are categorical deficiencies that would require significant improvement at the Grand National. Additionally, his proven distance is 3 miles.
There is little evidence from his racing record in chases is one built for the extreme distance at Aintree, particularly given his recent form deterioration and jumping errors.
Verdict
Buddy One would face an extremely difficult task as a Grand National runners prospect. He is a former smart hurdler attempting an unsuccessful chasing career. His distance limitations (proven to 3 miles, unproven beyond), jumping deficiency ("not a natural chaser"), and recent form decline (pulled-up runs, below-form efforts) combine to create a challenging profile for Aintree.
For punters assessing Grand National runners, Buddy One represents a speculative proposition. His historical hurdling form is less relevant to marathon chase racing. His recent record—particularly his pulled-up run and descriptions of him as "not a natural chaser"—suggests he would need significant improvement to be considered a realistic contender.
Buddy One's place in Grand National runners discussion is cautionary rather than speculative: he exemplifies a horse whose previous success in one discipline does not automatically translate to another and whose current form across both spheres is in decline.
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