February 04 / 15.33 Ludlow

15.33

Soft

Late Roy Kneller 85th Birthday Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For Challenger Mares’ Series Final)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Late Roy Kneller 85th Birthday Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For Challenger Mares’ Series Final)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: /563-4 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m course winner in 2023 (both times on soft); returned from long absence with quite encouraging run over that trip here (good to soft) two months ago and has slipped to a good mark but her stamina for 2m5f must be taken on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Magical Maggie

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Very closely matched with Masked Dance on their two Ludlow encounters in February, over 2m5f (soft) and 3m (good to soft); she's fine after a break and should have a part to play.

7/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time course winner, most recently when fending off Masked Dance over 2m5f (soft) three weeks ago; unraced beyond that trip but remains well handicapped on older form; will be a tough nut to crack if her stamina holds out.

3/1

1st

6

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Dual 2m course winner in 2023 (both times on soft); returned from long absence with quite encouraging run over that trip here (good to soft) two months ago and has slipped to a good mark but her stamina for 2m5f must be taken on trust.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: P-2251 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Posted career-best performance when winning from the front over C&D (good to soft) in December, her third success over hurdles; 5lb higher now but that form was recently boosted by the clear runner-up; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Masked Dance

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won this two years ago and was only a short-head away last year; higher in the weights now but had been in career best form until last run which was in a strong handicap; has to be feared.

7/1

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Masked Dance

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Better than ever in her last three starts over 2m5f and 3m; highly likely to run another solid race but this is stronger than she's accustomed to.

12/1

2nd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Masked Dance

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

In career-best form this season, winning from the front here (2m5f, good to soft) in December before clear second to Magical Maggie over that trip here (soft) three weeks ago; will be on the premises again if suited by today's extra distance.

4/1

Form: 412-34 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who won Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good to soft) just under a year ago; failed to build upon encouraging seasonal/handicap debut when well-held fourth at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in December but has possibilities if aided by new cheekpieces here; tongue-tie left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Dramatic Encore

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Harry Derham

Won a Huntingdon maiden (2m5f) last February and took a four-runner handicap at Plumpton (2m2f; second-time cheekpieces) 13 days ago, and good ground is probably okay, but to win this demands a career best.

6/1

1st

2

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 169y

Class 4

15:45 Plumpton

Dramatic Encore

11st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Yet to build on her Huntingdon maiden hurdle win last February but she's gone close since; returned to some form when a 12l fourth at this level at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) last month, running without her usual tongue-tie but fitted with first-time cheekpieces; drops in trip here and eased in the weights, so worth considering.

2/1

4th

3

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Dramatic Encore

11st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Low-mileage 6yo who won Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good to soft) just under a year ago; failed to build upon encouraging seasonal/handicap debut when well-held fourth at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in December but has possibilities if aided by new cheekpieces here; tongue-tie left off.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-5206 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Returned to hurdling with respectable sixth at Kempton (3m, good) just after Christmas and is now only 2lb higher than when winning valuable final of this series at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last April but the ground here will probably be slower than she prefers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Greyval

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won this race last year (at Cheltenham) off today's mark; turned her back on chasing this winter and ran quite well over 3m at Kempton before finding soft ground too testing at Ludlow; plenty looks in her favour this time with cheekpieces added.

12/1

5th

1

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Greyval

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Returned to hurdling with respectable sixth at Kempton (3m, good) just after Christmas and is now only 2lb higher than when winning valuable final of this series at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last April but the ground here will probably be slower than she prefers.

14/1

2nd

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Greyval

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Career-best form to end last season, winning at Chepstow before collecting a mares' final at Cheltenham (both about 2m4f on good); ran respectably on return to hurdling three weeks ago but she was below form in February on her only attempt over this far; chase debut.

11/2

Form: /24-01 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced over last couple of years but bounced back to form at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November, staying on well to win by 6l; subsequent 6lb rise may not be beyond her if the emphasis is on stamina again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Hellfire Princess

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Kerry Lee

Posted career-best performance when coming from off the pace to score by 6l here (2m6f, soft) in November but returned from break with two lesser efforts last month (2m5f/3m1f) and now has a point to prove; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) back on today.

7/1

4th

2

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Carlisle

Hellfire Princess

11st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

9yo who is lightly raced for her age and won at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November on second run back from break; not seen to same effect at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) 12 days ago but she's better than that; not ruled out.

16/1

6th

10

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Hellfire Princess

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Lightly raced over last couple of years but bounced back to form at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November, staying on well to win by 6l; subsequent 6lb rise may not be beyond her if the emphasis is on stamina again.

7/1

Form: 2-1622

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won Worcester novice (2m4f, good) last spring and ended 2025 with two creditable handicap seconds behind the same progressive rival, latterly at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; should be fine on the forecast slower ground here and may still have a bigger run in her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Hard Dealt

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Has only won a Worcester novice and failed in six handicaps off lower marks, though was runner-up in four of those; clearly has nothing up her sleeve mark-wise but should still run well.

13/2

2nd

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 123y

Class 4

16:15 Ascot

Hard Dealt

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Won Worcester novice (good) last May; contested handicaps in her five starts since, twice a flop but runner-up in the other three, including when upped to 3m at Haydock (good to soft) on latest outing; considered each-way.

5/2

Form: 2643-F CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on some of her old form for Alastair Ralph but looked held before falling quite heavily on last month's seasonal/stable debut; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Victoria Milano

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; struggled in first three runs for current yard but she showed signs of a revival when third of 12 at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last Saturday; was no match for the first two in that race but her mark continues to fall and she looks worth another try at this trip; could be dangerous.

10/1

3rd

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:55 Uttoxeter

Victoria Milano

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; rather disappointing since, including on her three starts for this yard after wind surgery last season (pulled up over fences last time); bit to prove.

8/1

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Victoria Milano

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well handicapped on some of her old hurdle form for Alastair Ralph but she looked held when falling in a 2m5f handicap hurdle here on her reappearance in January; down the field at Ludlow since and hard to know what to expect back chasing (well beaten on previous attempt).

20/1

Form: 3121-4 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Made all at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; form worked out well) just under a year ago but wasn't seen again until heavy defeat at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December and needs to have taken significant benefit from that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Our Bills Aunt

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Made all at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; form worked out well) just under a year ago but wasn't seen again until heavy defeat at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December and needs to have taken significant benefit from that run.

14/1

1st

6

26th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

17:00 Wetherby

Our Bills Aunt

11st 8lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Won when back over hurdles at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) last month; beaten 12l into second of 15 when unpenalised at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) nine days later and a 6lb rise has now kicked in, but it was still a creditable effort last time and she can give another good account.

7/1

Form: 3-1543

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Just 1-8 over hurdles but kept on well to take fourth from out of the weights in good Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in December and also ran well when placed in Warwick novice (2m5f, good to soft) at end of that month; won't be far away if she copes with the slower ground here; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Pismo Beach

10st 12lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Held up; 1-9 over hurdles but 5lb lower than when fourth under Murray Dodd at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) in December, her best form; no match for Indannya or Fresh As A Daisy at Warwick next time, but her latest start (pulled up at Ludlow; tongue tied first time) is the chief worry.

16/1

4

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Pismo Beach

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Just 1-8 over hurdles but kept on well to take fourth from out of the weights in good Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in December and also ran well when placed in Warwick novice (2m5f, good to soft) at end of that month; won't be far away if she copes with the slower ground here; tongue-tie added.

8/1

Form: 32

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Notnowlinda

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £62.70
Straight Forecast £85.87
Tricast £258.26
Trifecta £345.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Pismo Beach

Daily Mail:

Sallyville Lady

RP RATINGS:

Masked Dance

Telegraph:

Hellfire Princess

SPOTLIGHT:

Hard Dealt

LAMBOURN:

Dramatic Encore

POSTDATA:

Greyval

D Express:

Sallyville Lady

Daily Record:

Sallyville Lady

The Times:

Pismo Beach

The Guardian:

Pismo Beach

The Sun:

Pismo Beach

The Star:

Masked Dance

Daily Mirror:

Hellfire Princess