February 19 / 15.35 Ludlow

15.35

Good To Soft

Michael Lumsden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Michael Lumsden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 17-451 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Still a work in progress as he raced freely last time and was green in front, but still had enough to justify favouritism in that 2m soft-ground maiden at Taunton; the handicapper has taken no risks with him but open to further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

The Hardest Geezer

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Second-season hurdler who is proving consistent; creditable fourth in competitive races won by Dance And Glance and Hot Fuss on last two starts; becoming a little exposed but again seems likely to give his running and is solid in that respect.

14/1

4th

14

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

The Hardest Geezer

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Second-season hurdler who was runner-up on first two starts this term (2m1f/2m, good to soft; including here) before close fourth of 15 at Ascot (1m7f, soft) four weeks ago; might not be far away.

8/1

2nd

2

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

13:53 Newton Abbot

The Hardest Geezer

11st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Bumper/hurdle winner but he was a well-held fifth of nine on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in February; still unexposed but he needs to find more progress after 252 days off.

6/1

Form: 3311-4 D

Last run: 108 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Third in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and potentially well treated on his winning hurdle form; lack of experience showed when returning from a break on his handicap debut in November and now returns from another after wind surgery; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(3)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Moon Chime

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Bumper and pretty useful hurdle winner, including at Haydock in the prestigious 2m Swinton 18 days ago when tongue tied for the first time; Flat career of just four races, latest when fourth of eight from the back when joint-favourite on Flat handicap debut at Southwell (1m6f, AW) in April; has more to offer in this sphere and is one to note.

7/1

1st

9

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Moon Chime

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

In good form over hurdles last spring, winning at Stratford and Hexham (both 2m, good to soft); he's only 2lb higher than for the second of those wins, and a recent run on the Flat after six months off should have blown away the cobwebs; impossible to discount in first-time tongue-strap.

33/1

4th

2

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Moon Chime

9st 8lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Dual winner in bumpers and a four-time winner over hurdles; below his best over hurdles last time but he has shown promise in this sphere, including when third of seven in a Ffos Las novice (1m4f) last August, and is interesting on this Flat handicap debut.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4-124P

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in France on very soft ground; has yet to show that form in Britain and was a big price when pulled up on handicap debut 22 days ago; not overly appealing for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Hors Jeu

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

French hurdle winner in spring 2024; untidy round of jumping when fourth of six on chasing debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in November and unseated four out at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) last month; needs to polish up his jumping.

5/1

Form: 8-4411 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won with a bit to spare at Market Rasen and defied a 5lb rise at Hereford, though the runner-up (has run well since) would have got up in another stride; more needed here as he's up another 4lb and they claimed 7lb last time; still respected as a bang-in-form contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Chief Sunday

10st 5lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Dual winner in this sphere but has been operating below his best for a while and is best left alone at present.

40/1

9th

8

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Chief Sunday

11st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn (three attempts) and he's looked out of sorts over hurdles lately; will appreciate this ease in grade but still needs huge boost from the first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

13

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Chief Sunday

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Potentially well handicapped but he tried chasing earlier this season and hasn't offered a lot back over hurdles; it looks significant that regular rider Sam Twiston-Davies has turned elsewhere.

14/1

Form: 564211 D

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Made all to win two non-handicaps for mares before the turn of the year, at odds of evens and 1-4; faces a sterner test on this handicap debut but she's unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Leloopa

10st 9lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Landed valuable series final for mares at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but was just a respectable third of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs subsequent wind surgery to help her kick on again.

14/1

4

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:58 Newton Abbot

Leloopa

11st 3lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Went up 10lb for winning by 8l at Kelso in March and finished well beaten next time at Uttoxeter; could be on a harsh mark now and would prefer drier ground.

13/2

1

27th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:37 Uttoxeter

Leloopa

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Took form to whole new level when winning valuable series final by 8l at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March and is now 3-6 over hurdles; returns from 127-day break on 10lb higher mark but good ground also suits; shortlisted.

11/2

Form: 2-1366 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Both handicap wins on good ground but handles soft so those conditions were no real excuse when behind Chief Sunday at Hereford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Returned to form with creditable second at Southwell (2m4f) last time but looks unlikely to go one better; the 10yo faces a difficult task against several younger rivals who are open to further improvement.

14/1

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Thankyourluckystar

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

All wins have been on good ground, latest at Worcester in May (2m7f); below-par two runs since and bit to prove at present.

11/1

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Alastair Ralph

Burst back to life with 15l win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May; absent since and up 11lb, which puts him on clear career-high mark at the age of nine; also has a slight query on this forecast soft ground but Harry Skelton retains the ride; should be in the mix if ready to go.

5/2

Form: /526-8 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell; lengthy breaks prior to both his runs for Kerry Lee and has struggled in handicaps over fences and hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Wasthatok

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Won over hurdles at Newcastle last November and when back on the Flat at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) in March; badly hampered and unseated over hurdles next time; still has mileage in his mark judged on old Flat form; respected.

5/1

16

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Wasthatok

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won easily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner at Catterick (2m3f, good) in December; soundly beaten behind Judicial Deference at Haydock (2m5f, good to soft) in January but he's probably better than that and he won on the AW last week; not ruled out.

16/1

1st

4

(3)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wasthatok

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

Better known as a hurdler but was having only his second start on the AW when second of six at Southwell (16.5f, Tapeta) in September; now 1lb lower and could go well.

7/2

Form: 1927-6 D

Last run: 265 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Best form has been on good ground, in winning a maiden and finishing second in a Huntingdon handicap; below par the last twice (on good latterly) but might be better for a break and well worth considering if there's money about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Rascal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Rian Corcoran

T: Tom George

in touch with leaders, weakened after 3 out

13/2

6th

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Rascal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Rian Corcoran

T: Tom George

Record of 0-6 in handicaps but is bred to be suited by this new trip and the first-time headgear looks another possible help; interesting.

13/2

4

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Rascal

11st 1lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: Tom George

Lightly raced 7yo who returned from a layoff with a fairly encouraging 2m run last month; needs that outing to have brought him on but he's on a workable mark, will be suited by the forecast good ground and is unexposed over this sort of trip.

5/1

Form: 1PO

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Flat winner who doubled his tally in a Sedgefield maiden (good); hasn't completed since, though was highly tried at Cheltenham and was still going well when running out late on at Catterick (hood worn for Flat win returned); not obviously well in for this handicap debut but has a low weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Warwick

Continuance

12st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Three-time winner over hurdles and nothing wrong with his most recent efforts in handicaps at top tracks; every chance provided he's straight enough after a lengthy break.

5/1

1

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

16:10 Plumpton

Continuance

12st 1lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Fair Flat racer who was 3-6 during first season over hurdles, the last two wins gained from the front in handicaps (2m/2m1f); well beaten when upped in grade at Cheltenham in April and absent since but may still have more to offer.

13/2

15th

13

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Continuance

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Raised in grade after dominating single-figure fields at Ludlow (good to soft) and Fontwell (good), making most on both occasions; a collective rise of 17lb (Freddie Keighley claimed the 10lb last time) could spell danger but hard to dismiss.

9/2

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Moon Chime

POSTDATA:

Chief Sunday

The Star:

Leloopa

Daily Record:

The Hardest Geezer

RP RATINGS:

Continuance

TOPSPEED:

Rascal

The Times:

Chief Sunday

D Express:

Chief Sunday

Daily Mirror:

Chief Sunday

WEST COUNTRY:

Moon Chime

Telegraph:

Moon Chime

The Guardian:

Moon Chime

Daily Mail:

Moon Chime

The Sun:

Moon Chime