February 29 / 16.15 Ludlow

16.15

Soft

Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £9505.8
  • 2m 7f 171y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3-1PP1 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Can have his off days but he looked on good terms with himself when a clearcut winner at Leicester (2m6f, soft; 5lb lower; second run after further wind operation) and his yard continues on the crest of a wave; stays this far and there's plenty to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Arizona Cardinal

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield in centre of group

20/1

10th

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Arizona Cardinal

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield in centre of group

20/1

Form: 366372 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
On a 14-run losing streak and can struggle with his consistency, but he did run well over C&D last week when second to the favourite; Toby McCain-Mitchell rides again and shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Miss B Coward

Not the force of old and might be better suited by right-handed tracks but ran well from the front when close fourth in open point at left-handed Chaddesley Corbett (3m, good to soft; also suited by soft) last month; considered each-way.

14/1

1

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:48 Ludlow

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Miss B Coward

Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month.

10/1

1

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:48 Ludlow

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Miss B Coward

Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month.

10/1

Form: 52-224

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has won only the once, when in first-time cheekpieces in 2020; remains capable on his day and didn't run badly over 3m4f at Plumpton last time when late mistakes didn't help; bit late in the day to be trying new headgear but he's hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

2nd

4

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Special Acceptance

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Has very modest 1-31 career strike-rate but was clear second to a big improver on last month's seasonal/stable at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) and is also suited by this C&D; leading contender.

6/4

Form: 1-4154 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m handicap hurdle here last April off 8lb lower; had some luck on his side when scraping home at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy) on second chase start and has been beaten fair and square in two subsequent runs (2m3f/2m5f); perhaps on a high mark but returning to further is well worth a shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Visored last three starts and staged a revival on last two, winning well in seven-runner race at Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) 11 days ago; back up 5lb but he used to be capable of a bit better still.

9/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

1st

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

Form: 2-4353 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Likeable mare with a consistent profile but her only chase win came off a 12lb lower mark and she's gone up 5lb for performing above herself in the face of a stiff task in a Listed race for mares last time (2m4f; fine at 3m and on soft); possibly flattered by that and opposable off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:15 Ludlow

Midnight Mary

11st 5lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Lucy Wadham

Likeable mare with a consistent profile but her only chase win came off a 12lb lower mark and she's gone up 5lb for performing above herself in the face of a stiff task in a Listed race for mares last time (2m4f; fine at 3m and on soft); possibly flattered by that and opposable off current mark.

7/1

Non-runners

Duke Of Deception, Magic Dancer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £10.68
Trifecta £38.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Arizona Cardinal

WEST COUNTRY:

One True King

TOPSPEED:

Hardy Fella

RP RATINGS:

Duke Of Deception

Daily Mirror:

Midnight Mary

The Guardian:

Special Acceptance

The Times:

Hardy Fella

D Express:

Hardy Fella

POSTDATA:

Arizona Cardinal

Daily Mail:

Arizona Cardinal

The Star:

Arizona Cardinal

Telegraph:

One True King

The Sun:

One True King

Daily Record:

One True King