January 06 / 12.45 Ludlow

12.45

Good To Soft

The Ludlow Racecourse EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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The Ludlow Racecourse EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 871

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Proved suited by the switch to hurdles at Fontwell (2m1f, soft) last month, stepping up on his bumper form; however, needs a good deal of further improvement to defy a 7lb penalty in this deeper field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Worcester

Vorderman

10st 13lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Roger Teal

Got off the mark in a Fontwell juvenile last December (soft); second on his handicap debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in April, he fell early on next time and was pulled up following a bad error last time; still has time on his side and not out of this on this step up in trip.

14/1

7

25th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:58 Fontwell

Vorderman

10st 8lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Roger Teal

Won a weak race here on hurdling debut in December; second under Ben Ffrench Davis at Plumpton (extended 2m4f, good) early last month in his first handicap but only four of five finished and he unseated early here on latest outing; early days but he probably needs some improvement.

20/1

7

25th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:58 Fontwell

Vorderman

10st 8lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Roger Teal

Won a weak race here on hurdling debut in December; second under Ben Ffrench Davis at Plumpton (extended 2m4f, good) early last month in his first handicap but only four of five finished and he unseated early here on latest outing; early days but he probably needs some improvement.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stuck on well in fillies' event over C&D (good to soft) last month for a winning debut; faces a stiffer task under a 7lb penalty against males but is open to progress; Ludlow double is not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 7

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Glimmer of promise, without landing a blow, in 1m5f bumper at Exeter 11 weeks ago; may do better with that experience under his belt but others have stronger claims on form as things stand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Close Combat

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Nigel Hawke

Won 2m novice last season but safely held in first two handicaps this term (1m7f/2m), then pulled up when upped to 2m4f last month; needs to get career back on track.

16/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

Close Combat

11st 13lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Exeter novice winner (2m, heavy); hasn't looked on a good mark in his two handicaps and that could still be the case, though Murray Dodd claiming 7lb will help in that respect.

20/1

1st

8

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:00 Exeter

Close Combat

10st 7lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Never really got competitive when 150-1 for C&D maiden on last month's hurdling debut but kept on well for second against own age-group at Chepstow (2m, heavy) a fortnight later and has scope for further progress.

16/1

Form: 75

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran better last time but was again 125-1 and didn't do enough to suggest he's going to win one of these races; handicaps may be more suitable shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Feb 2026

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:35 Ludlow

Jacksons Bay

10st 4lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

0-8 over hurdles and twice disappointing since a third of six at Newton Abbot in September (2m1f, good to soft); wouldn't be the obvious answer on this switch to fences.

12/1

7th

13

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:20 Catterick

Jacksons Bay

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

0-7 and down the field at Taunton in November last time, but looked stretched by 2m3f; prior to that he ran okay when third of six at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft); might have each-way chance now back down in trip.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Closely related to 1m2f-1m4f winner Bletchley Storm; dam Flat/2m hurdle winner, half-sister to Flat/2m hurdle winner Mystery Drama, out of Flat/2m1f hurdle winner; Henderson newcomer who has to be feared, especially if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Laughing John

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

British challenger is 2-2 since tackling handicaps; won a three runner race at Doncaster (16.5f, gd-sft) off 106 then won in emphatic style at Wincanton upped to 2m4f (gd-sft) off 2lb higher; hiked up 10lb and moves up in grade but could be more to come; cheekpieces go on.

8/1

1st

11

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Laughing John

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Built upon the promise shown in junior hurdles last year (including on soft ground) when winning on handicap/seasonal debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December; had just two rivals to beat on that occasion but the form still looks solid and he's open to further improvement for top yard.

6/1

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:40 Chepstow

Laughing John

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

led at steady pace, increased tempo from 3 out, pushed along when edged left and unseated approaching last

5/6

Form: 34

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability at Hereford (good) and Warwick (good to soft) in the autumn, finishing third then fourth; bit of a weak finisher both times but he's one of the main form contenders and may yet find strength at the business end.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

22nd Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

14:23 Limerick

Lenjoleur De Palma

11st 12lb

J: Tom Kelly

T: E McNamara

In fine form for local yard; won off 13lb lower over C&D (heavy) in November; career best off 103 when a 1.75l runner-up in a C&D Listed handicap hurdle in December, although form not working out so well; nudged up another 3lb but clearly loves it here and he's a huge player in this modest grade.

13/8

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000euros 3yo; dam French 12.5f AQPS Flat winner, half-sister to AQPS Flat winners Dame En Noir and Furie Noire and to 2m1f hurdle winner Gars En Noir; one of three newcomers in the field; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: F2

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was in the process of showing promise when final-flight faller at Stratford (soft) on debut; got round and ran well at Doncaster (good to soft) since, finishing a clear second; holds a leading chance on the figures and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:50 Market Rasen

Wallquatari

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has shaped quite well on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 2.25l second of five to an interesting prospect at Doncaster (2m, good to soft); should go well.

11/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£12,000 yearling, £18,000 3yo; first foal; dam 1m4f/1m6f winner, half-sister to winners Angel's Share (useful French 2m1f-2m3f hurdle/chase) and French Warrior (Scandinavian Flat/2m hurdle); check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Analiese

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Sole defeat in her last four races came at the hands of a progressive horse at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft); shrugged aside that minor blip with a workmanlike win at Chepstow (2m3f, soft); 3lb rise isn't the end of the world.

8/1

1st

4

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Analiese

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

The hat-trick bid came up shy at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft; after two months off) but only went up 2lb despite finishing well clear of the third, and behind a progressive winner; considered.

7/2

2nd

11

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Analiese

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Bids for a hat-trick, having made all in mares' contests over 2m4f at Uttoxeter (soft) and Aintree (good to soft) in December, taking record to 3-8; upped in grade and goes back against males but is a progressive contender.

13/2

Form: 83

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished 8l third to Blue Moon Lady over C&D last month, stepping up on debut effort; now gets a 7lb pull with that rival and could take another step forward; the rematch seems tight in theory.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Highbury Hill

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Off the mark at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in January; inconsistent, however, and she was tailed off when tried over 3m at Doncaster on latest outing, despite the stamina in her family; connections turn to 7lb claimer.

8/1

5th

2

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:57 Doncaster

Highbury Hill

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Nigel Hawke

Third of 16 at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in November on second handicap start and bounced back from lesser run to win at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; has also shown promise elsewhere; her useful dam stayed 3m and is related to stayers and she could have more to offer now up in trip.

9/1

1st

5

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

13:00 Chepstow

Highbury Hill

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Nigel Hawke

Two good efforts in the autumn included a close third of 11 finishers to Crossbeau over C&D (good to soft) but she finished remote at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; has acted on that surface) in December; needs to return to earlier level.

12/1

Verdict

As regards the runners with experience, Doncaster runner-up WALLQUATARI has a particularly good chance at the weights while Lenjoleur De Palma and C&D winner Blue Moon Lady are also in the mix. Henderson runner Laughing John (second choice) is a distinctly interesting type among the newcomers, about whom the betting should offer further guidance.[Steve Boow]

Selections

The Times:

Blue Moon Lady

SPOTLIGHT:

Wallquatari

LAMBOURN:

Laughing John

Telegraph:

Blue Moon Lady

The Guardian:

Blue Moon Lady

Daily Mail:

Blue Moon Lady

D Express:

Blue Moon Lady

The Sun:

Blue Moon Lady

RP RATINGS:

Wallquatari

POSTDATA:

Wallquatari

Daily Mirror:

Wallquatari

The Star:

Wallquatari

Daily Record:

Wallquatari