December 20 / 13.50 Ludlow

13.50

Good To Soft

Tanners Cava EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4928.62
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
Tanners Cava EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 23-21

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Long Run; ran well in all three bumpers (peak RPR 106) and it was fairly comfortable when repelling La Gomera by 2l on her switch to hurdling at Doncaster (2m3f, good); has the pedigree and the connections to keep improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Touchy Feely

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Ran quite well when fourth behind Masked Dance in this race a year ago and is 10lb lower now but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon; pulled up over C&D on latest hurdling start (Boxing Day) and safely held in a chase a few weeks later; needs 112-day break to have done her good.

7/1

8

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Touchy Feely

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Ran quite well when fourth behind Masked Dance in this race a year ago and is 10lb lower now but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon; pulled up over C&D on latest hurdling start (Boxing Day) and safely held in a chase a few weeks later; needs 112-day break to have done her good.

7/1

6th

7

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Touchy Feely

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

pressed leader, led narrowly before 2nd, headed before 11th, not fluent 4 out

10/1

OUR TIP

9/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2-1

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated in a point and then second in a bumper; got the job done without too much fuss on her hurdling debut at Hexham (2m, soft; 11-8f) but it wasn't the strongest of races and it's earned her a penalty; looks vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Royale Dance

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Noel Williams

Had rather mixed record over hurdles last season but her clearcut win at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January was a good performance, and her Irish point dead-heat in 2021 bodes well for her prospects on this chasing debut; unraced on ground quicker than good to soft.

12/1

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Royale Dance

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Noel Williams

Had rather mixed record over hurdles last season but her clearcut win at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January was a good performance, and her Irish point dead-heat in 2021 bodes well for her prospects on this chasing debut; unraced on ground quicker than good to soft.

12/1

7

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Dance

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Noel Williams

Won with authority under Dylan Johnston at Leicester (2m4f, soft; five ran) in January on second start for this yard but has made two backward steps since; that latest came when tried at 3m, which sees the cheekpieces go on today and she's got a bit to prove.

25/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 6-6

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
A couple of sixths in bumpers with the form nothing to shout about (RPRs 87/90); going up in trip for her hurdling debut should help but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:25 Huntingdon

Great Snow

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Fry

didn't jump with fluency, raced in last, pushed along briefly 5th, struggling from 14th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up

5/1

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:25 Huntingdon

Great Snow

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Fry

didn't jump with fluency, raced in last, pushed along briefly 5th, struggling from 14th

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £45,000 after winning a 3m Irish point (yielding) in fair style; mixed messages as to what that form is worth and a watching brief seems best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

My Girl Katie

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Beat Testlight here in July but not in their rematch; bounced off the fast ground when winning well at Stratford 12 days ago to earn this 8lb higher mark; had some soft-ground form back in the day.

13/8

5

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

My Girl Katie

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Dual point winner this spring; well beaten over hurdles on rules return in June but won comfortably when back over fences at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last month and ran well in defeat over that C&D a fortnight later; likely contender again.

9/4

Form: 420-43

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has been learning on the job and made late gains in 2m hurdles at Huntingdon (good) and Uttoxeter (soft; hooded for both); from the family of the stable's star stayer Mighty Man so this longer trip looks sure to benefit her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Minniemum

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

8lb higher than for last year's convincing win in this race which was staged at Cheltenham; only subsequent win in six races came at the expense of just three rivals at Ludlow in November (3m1f, good); lacklustre in her last three starts and hard to support with any confidence.

20/1

4th

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:22 Wincanton

Minniemum

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-8 over fences, including a win in valuable series final at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) last April; lacklustre when pulled up (albeit on soft ground) on last two outings, though, and can't be supported with much confidence here.

6/1

1

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Minniemum

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Henry Daly

Made it 3-5 over fences with win here (3m1f, good) in November and good Listed second at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) next time; perhaps unsuited by soft ground when pulled up at Hereford (3m1f, soft) in December last time; could bounce back with a big run if conditions suit.

10/1

Form: 670

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not offered a great deal so far, with her best run when seventh of nine in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter; up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Innisfree Lass

12st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Went chasing without success but she made a winning return to hurdles at Southwell recently (all three wins at 3m there; heavy and soft); raised 5lb but it remains to be seen if she can be as effective around here.

7/4

1st

4

18th Feb 2026

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell

Innisfree Lass

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won this is 2024 (first-time cheekpieces), followed up over C&D (also heavy) seven weeks later and beaten just a neck on only other start here; has been chasing since without success and finished a long way off Asa at Catterick last week (first-time blinkers) but returning cheekpieces, hurdling and this C&D are all reasons to be positive.

6/1

Form: 5906

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well behind Shelikesthelights in one of her three bumpers and there was no sign of improvement when comfortably held on her hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

14:17 Hereford

Lady Berlais

11st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Made all at Fakenham (2m, soft) in December when 5lb lower; nothing since and the trip is a worry.

12/1

2

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Lady Berlais

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, headed 5 out, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

5/1

Form: 7UP

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
No encouragement so far, latterly at odds of 200-1 when pulled up at Hereford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Elfride

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Richard Phillips

2m7f hurdle winner (good to soft); on a lengthy losing run and arrives with plenty to prove from 4lb wrong.

33/1

18

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Elfride

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Richard Phillips

Struggled last year and competes from 6lb out of the handicap today; needs January's wind op to have made a big difference.

66/1

8

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Elfride

10st 3lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Richard Phillips

2m7f hurdle winner (good to soft) in May 2023; well below par on her last five starts; blinkers now accompany tongue-tie; back on her winning mark but plenty to prove.

16/1

Form: 39-3

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in one of her bumpers with an ordinary RPR of 91 (on good to soft); raced keenly and finished last of the three runners on her hurdling debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to firm); up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

Annie Wicks

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Jumping to her right and looked out of sorts at Southwell in June but was in good form on right-handed tracks beforehand, winning at Taunton (2m5f, soft) and finishing second over C&D (good); back on a clockwise course today and a big player if back on song after her break.

7/2

4

11th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:15 Southwell

Annie Wicks

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

jumped right on occasions, prominent, lost position and reminders 13th, dropped to last 14th, lost touch and pulled up 15th

9/2

2nd

9

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Annie Wicks

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Came good over fences at third attempt, with clearcut win from the front at Taunton (2m5f, soft) in March; 8lb rise asks quite a lot of her here but the longer trip might unlock further improvement and she should be fine if the ground stays good.

5/1

Form: P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 60,000euros after winning six-runner mares' maiden point at Punchestown in April (3m, good); however, she was easy to back at Hereford (2m maiden, good to soft; 18-1) and pulled up after losing touch on the final circuit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

11th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

First Venture

11st 11lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Tom Symonds

12l seventh at Stratford latest (16.5f) was a first glimmer of form since her good-ground Irish point win of a year ago; no chance has been taken with her mark, but first try at 3m under Rules offers some hope.

16/1

7th

3

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Stratford

First Venture

11st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Holds poor claims on her slow-ground hurdles form but may improve back on forecast faster surface; Irish point win came on good.

25/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Kempton

First Venture

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

prominent, shaken up and weakened after 3 out

40/1

Form: 66

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
80-1 and didn't jump that well when tailed off at Doncaster in the race won by Touchy Feely; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:35 Perth

Happy Index

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Record of 3-8 for this yard and her only real blip was last time at Bangor; record here rates a big positive and she could easily bounce back.

9/2

4th

2

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Happy Index

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

3-7 for current stable since the autumn; lost out only by a neck when second at Perth (3m, good) last month and may yet have further improvement to come; must be considered.

2/1

1

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:42 Perth

Happy Index

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Justified favouritism at Perth (3m2f) last time, taking form figures for current yard to 211231 and record under Sean Bowen to 3-3; respected with further progress plausible.

9/4

Form: 2

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 40,000gns after making a winning debut in a 3m British point in May; dictated a steady pace and kept finding when going down by 2l to Touchy Feely on her hurdling introduction at Doncaster; needs respecting with a 6lb pull on the winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:45 Fakenham

La Gomera

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

chased clear leader

4/1

3

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:45 Fakenham

La Gomera

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

chased clear leader

4/1

Form: P

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £16,000 soon after winning a soft-ground Irish point last December; 16-1 for her hurdling debut at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) and she was pulled up after stopping quickly; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

15:45 Doncaster

No Word

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has plenty to prove having been pulled up on both rules starts; however, it's possible the subsequent wind op will have been a big help and she won her sole Irish point; not a completely forlorn hope.

33/1

13

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

13:50 Ludlow

No Word

11st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Bought for £16,000 soon after winning a soft-ground Irish point last December; 16-1 for her hurdling debut at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) and she was pulled up after stopping quickly; best watched for now.

25/1

Form: 690

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
No great promise in any of her bumper runs and looks a worthy outsider here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:30 Chepstow

Sabaarelli

10st 7lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tony Carroll

Soundly beaten in bumpers and refused at the first on hurdle debut.

200/1

12

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Sabaarelli

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tony Carroll

Hurdles debutante who has poor form claims having been soundly beaten in three bumpers.

100/1

Form: 125

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

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

5th

2

9th Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Ludlow

Shelikesthelights

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ended last season on a low note but ran big race in defeat at Worcester (2m, good) in August, after a break, and is still on a workable mark after a 2lb nudge; handles good to soft ground but may not want it soft.

4/1

2nd

8

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Worcester

Shelikesthelights

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won a maiden and a Southwell novice handicap last spring (2m, good/good to soft); hasn't run as well since and was pulled up on first run after a wind op in a mares' final at Cheltenham last time (2m4f, good; reportedly never travelling); bit to prove back from a break.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 9l into third in a 2m5f British point in March 2021 and the two ahead of her have since paid their way under rules; second start has been a while in coming and the trainer sees the need for some immediate headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

15th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Worcester

The Eminent Goose

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Placed in a point but he raced too freely under an inexperienced claimer on his chasing debut when sixth of eight in 2m3f Stratford handicap 25 days ago; he showed some fair form without winning over hurdles and can do better with Charlie Deutsch now up.

5/1

6th

2

21st May 2023

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

The Eminent Goose

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

Unexposed 7yo who was third on her point debut in 2021 (form worked out quite well) and also displayed clear promise when making the frame in two novice hurdles in March (2m3f/2m4f); switched to fences for today's handicap debut; likely contender.

3/1

2nd

8

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Ffos Las

The Eminent Goose

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

fractious at the post, raced in last, headway before 7th, went second before 3 out, shaken up before 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, no match for winner

4/1

Non-runners

First Venture, Sabaarelli, Shelikesthelights

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £9.77
Trifecta £88.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Touchy Feely

RP Ratings:

La Gomera

The Guardian:

Royale Dance

WEST COUNTRY:

Shelikesthelights

The Times:

La Gomera

D Express:

La Gomera

The Star:

La Gomera

POSTDATA:

Touchy Feely

LAMBOURN:

Touchy Feely

Telegraph:

Touchy Feely

Daily Mail:

Touchy Feely

Daily Mirror:

Touchy Feely

The Sun:

Touchy Feely

Daily Record:

Royale Dance