March 19 / 16.20 Ludlow

16.20

Good To Soft

GC Rickards Ltd Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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GC Rickards Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.30
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 73-333 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Useful juvenile in 2023-24 season, his three wins including two here (2m); hasn't lived up to those early expectations but his third of 15 at Huntingdon (about 2m4f, also soft) was a solid effort in January; undone by heavy ground and a drop in trip at Fontwell (first-time cheekpieces) last time but might do better given these conditions; tongue-tie removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Royal Way

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won comfortably off reduced mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March and has also performed well on both outings since, more recently when fourth at Sandown (2m4f, good) nine days ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham but still enters calculations.

12/1

4th

15

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Royal Way

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Exploited reduced mark when winning quite comfortably at Ludlow last month and was one of two to pull clear of the others when second at Ascot (also 2m5f, good) ten days later; no surprise if he features.

10/1

2nd

7

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Royal Way

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won sole start here; two years without a win after that but, with tongue-tie removed and second-time cheekpieces, he then obliged comfortably at Ludlow (2m5f, good) ten days ago; back up 6lb but has returned to serious calculations.

4/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 18-224 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Frequent front-runner; doubled his tally when narrowly making a successful stable debut in Southwell novice (about 3m, good) in October 2024; bettered that form when second at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) in December but his hurdling lacked fluency when unable to justify favouritism at Market Rasen (2m7f, soft) last month; this forecast better ground should suit but the drop in trip asks a question; will probably look to make this a test of stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Sunshine Diamond

11st 12lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Frequent front-runner; doubled his tally when narrowly making a successful stable debut in Southwell novice (about 3m, good) in October 2024; bettered that form when second at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) in December but his hurdling lacked fluency when unable to justify favouritism at Market Rasen (2m7f, soft) last month; this forecast better ground should suit but the drop in trip asks a question; will probably look to make this a test of stamina.

8/1

4th

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Sunshine Diamond

11st 9lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

2-6 over hurdles; ran big race from the front when clear second at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve and was nudged up only 1lb for that; leading contender.

9/4

8th

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Sunshine Diamond

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Signed off in Ireland with Wexford maiden win (3m, good; first-time cheekpieces) last summer and followed up for new stable in four-runner Southwell novice (3m, good; front pair well clear) in October; drops back in trip after another break but he is open to more progress on handicap debut; interesting contender.

5/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 213-35 BF

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Good second in valuable Newbury bumper two years ago; raced freely before a solid third on his handicap debut at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November and that trait was again in evidence when fifth of ten at Huntingdon (2m, soft) the following month; off since and he could do with settling down stepping up in trip but he's unexposed in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Dont Mind If I Do

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Good second in valuable Newbury bumper two years ago; raced freely before a solid third on his handicap debut at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November and that trait was again in evidence when fifth of ten at Huntingdon (2m, soft) the following month; off since and he could do with settling down stepping up in trip but he's unexposed in this sphere.

7/2

Form: F-6114 D

Last run: 138 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Came good with comfortable handicap win at Warwick (2m3f) in June and easily followed up in modest novice event at Newton Abbot (2m5f) three weeks later; didn't shape too badly when fourth at Ascot (about 2m3f, also good) on his November comeback but absent since; can race freely but this drying ground should suit and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Byzantium

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Two hurdle wins last June and latest was over C&D (good); no joy in just three runs since but he was in lead when he ran out and crashed through the rails before the second-last at Wincanton (3m, good) last month; has possibilities if he can maintain his focus this time and he's well handicapped on his best form.

7/4

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:20 Wincanton

Byzantium

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

All three wins on good ground; won a 2m3f handicap at Warwick pretty easily and followed up back in novice company; well held since but he was returning from a lengthy break when pulling way too hard to Ludlow last month (2m5f); will need to settle if he's to stay this far but Harry Cobden takes over.

6/4

4th

6

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Byzantium

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Came good with comfortable handicap win at Warwick (2m3f) in June and easily followed up in modest novice event at Newton Abbot (2m5f) three weeks later; didn't shape too badly when fourth at Ascot (about 2m3f, also good) on his November comeback but absent since; can race freely but this drying ground should suit and he's respected.

6/1

Form: 463541 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Beaten 30l on her handicap debut (good to soft) in December but found a big chunk of improvement when down in grade and scoring at 20-1 (also C&D, soft) in February; this race is warmer and she has an 8lb rise to contend with but is unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:00 Ludlow

Windsor Blue

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Off the mark with 20-1 win in a handicap here (2m5f, soft) in February but she failed to back that up on her return visit last month; still has low mileage but she needs to resume her progress at this new trip.

10/1

5th

8

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Windsor Blue

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Beaten 30l on her handicap debut (good to soft) in December but found a big chunk of improvement when down in grade and scoring at 20-1 (also C&D, soft) in February; this race is warmer and she has an 8lb rise to contend with but is unexposed.

4/1

1st

3

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Windsor Blue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Lightly raced mare but was 28-1 for her handicap debut over C&D and there was no improvement in that run; down only 2lb.

20/1

Form: 056057 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Second of 12 over 2m5f at Kempton just over a year ago but he hasn't posed a serious threat since, including at about 2m on his last four starts; wasn't disgraced in a valuable event at Windsor (strong handicap form) last time, however, and he's undoubtedly well handicapped these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Stoners Choice

12st 1lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Course winner whose mark continues to fall and he's not been devoid of spark this season; however, this 11yo is without a win since April 2023 and was disappointing at Ludlow last month.

8/1

6th

4

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Stoners Choice

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second of 12 over 2m5f at Kempton just over a year ago but he hasn't posed a serious threat since, including at about 2m on his last four starts; wasn't disgraced in a valuable event at Windsor (strong handicap form) last time, however, and he's undoubtedly well handicapped these days.

9/1

7th

15

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Stoners Choice

10st 7lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on form as recent as last February but this 11yo has been unable to pose a serious threat on his six starts since May.

50/1

Form: 2245/7

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Haydock maiden hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) winner in April 2023 who had bits and pieces of handicap form the following season; tailed off on her return from a 617-day absence at Wetherby (about 2m5f, soft) in December and that outing will have needed to bring her on a good deal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Golden Glance

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won a Haydock maiden hurdle in 2023 (2m3f, good to soft) and lightly raced in the meantime; tailed off in her last three handicaps and had wind surgery since the latest; risky.

25/1

9th

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Golden Glance

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Sole win was in a Haydock maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in April 2023 and she's finished tailed off in both runs since returning from a long absence in December; has plenty to prove and she's untried at this trip.

25/1

7th

9

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Golden Glance

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Haydock maiden hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) winner in April 2023 who had bits and pieces of handicap form the following season; tailed off on her return from a 617-day absence at Wetherby (about 2m5f, soft) in December and that outing will have needed to bring her on a good deal.

25/1

Form: 1-6370

Last run: 68 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won Cork handicap (2m3f, soft) on final start for Stuart Crawford 11 months ago; weakened quickly on stable debut in Chepstow Grade 2 (about 2m3f) in October before being well held in two chases in December; weakened again over 2m5f in Kempton's Lanzarote (good) last time but should do better given this significant drop in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Krak

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made winning handicap debut in Ireland in April 2025 but had disappointing campaign for new stable last season; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; needs to turn a corner.

12/1

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Krak

12st 2lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Won Cork handicap (2m3f, soft) on final start for Stuart Crawford 11 months ago; weakened quickly on stable debut in Chepstow Grade 2 (about 2m3f) in October before being well held in two chases in December; weakened again over 2m5f in Kempton's Lanzarote (good) last time but should do better given this significant drop in grade.

15/2

2

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:43 Chepstow

Krak

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

The same owners as when trained in Ireland and impressed on his final start, a valuable handicap at Cork (2m3f, soft); did beat an exposed handicapper that day but this 5yo looks to have better days ahead of him.

10/1

Non-runners

Walkadina

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.60
Straight Forecast £66.59
Tricast £241.43
Trifecta £250.60

Selections

The Guardian:

Windsor Blue

RP RATINGS:

Byzantium

WEST COUNTRY:

Walkadina

TOPSPEED:

Sunshine Diamond

POSTDATA:

Royal Way

The Times:

Don't Mind If I Do

SPOTLIGHT:

Stoner's Choice

Daily Mail:

Windsor Blue

D Express:

Windsor Blue

Daily Record:

Windsor Blue

The Sun:

Walkadina

Daily Mirror:

Byzantium

The Star:

Byzantium

Telegraph:

Sunshine Diamond