April 02 / 15.00 Ludlow

15.00

Soft

Derek And Elaine Thompson 59th Celebration Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Derek And Elaine Thompson 59th Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.30
  • Place: £6.40

Form: 7/1-53

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Very promising in bumpers for Milton Harris in 2021-22 season and readily won Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m4f, good) by 10l in September 2022; not seen again until two lesser efforts for Anthony Charlton this winter and has something to prove on this stable debut but the booking of Harry Cobden catches the eye.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Legionar

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise.

5/2

3

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Legionar

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise.

5/2

1st

2

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:42 Hereford

Legionar

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

led narrowly, headed after 2 out, rallied and led again last, ridden out

4/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: -124F9

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of Lingfield maiden (2m3f, good to soft) on British debut in November and very creditable second in valuable Sandown handicap (2m, heavy) the following month; strong contender if judged on those exploits but not much has gone to plan on recent outings, and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Bucksy Des Epeires

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Had fallen in the weights prior to winning at Ludlow (3m, soft) 17 days ago, perked up by first-time cheekpieces; nudged back up 3lb but remains on a workable mark; high on the list.

100/30

1st

1

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Bucksy Des Epeires

12st 0lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Below best on his four outings in 2025 and unseated at the first fence at Taunton recently; also needs to prove his stamina; however, this 7yo has plenty of time to get his career back on track and is on a handy mark on his 2024 exploits; perhaps the new cheekpieces will give him a boost.

4/1

4

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Bucksy Des Epeires

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Back on a good mark now but ended last season on a low note and has not really fired on either appearance this term (favourite both times); comes here with a bit to prove, including stamina.

3/1

Form: 624210

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in hot race at Sandown on last month's handicap debut but made all in Wincanton maiden (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and, now dropped in grade, still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Tedley

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has done well since switched to this discipline (winning twice) and his blowouts have come in strong races, latterly in the 2m4f Greatwood Gold Cup here three weeks ago; more exposed than some in here and he's unraced past 2m5f, but can be competitive off this mark.

6/1

Form: U-221P

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Went close over C&D in November, after a layoff, then drew clear to win by 25l at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in January; still has scope for further progress but stopped quickly after racing too freely here in February and needs to put that performance behind her.
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: 2-48U5

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in two bumpers last spring and also displayed promise when fourth on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) in November; however, has gone the wrong way since and needs to turn things around on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Pearl Island

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Record of 1-14 for Henry Daly, the win coming in a 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in late 2024 (in first-time blinkers that were retained until now); has lost his way but still only a 7yo and he's on a fair mark for this yard debut; may prefer slower ground, however.

20/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:10 Ludlow

Pearl Island

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

6yo who won in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start; however, two lesser runs have followed and he has to raise his game if he's to return to winning ways.

10/1

6th

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Pearl Island

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

disputed lead, reminder after 12th, lost position before 14th, weakened after 4 out

11/2

Form: 1031 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Looked suited by step up to 2m5f when scoring on last month's handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f, soft; front pair clear) and is now 2-4 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but open to further progress over this trip; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

El Saviour

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Won two of his five starts over hurdles and returns to them having failed to take to chasing since returning from a mammoth absence in December; blinkers given a go this time, but still has plenty to prove.

25/1

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:47 Warwick

El Saviour

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recovered from bad jumping error on final circuit to make winning handicap hurdle debut here (2m5f, soft) last March but looked out of sorts in two chases last month and it takes a big leap of faith to support him today.

20/1

6th

2

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:00 Ludlow

El Saviour

11st 13lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Lucy Wadham

Looked suited by step up to 2m5f when scoring on last month's handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f, soft; front pair clear) and is now 2-4 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but open to further progress over this trip; major player.

7/4

Form: 0544

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Fourth over 2m in slow-ground novice hurdles at Southwell and Warwick this year; not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but both his running style and pedigree suggest the step up in trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Illico De Montave

10st 9lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Seems to have gone the wrong way as a hurdler (eight attempts) and was tailed off at 33-1 in a C&D handicap 11 days ago.

40/1

12

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Illico De Montave

10st 3lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Unplaced all seven hurdling starts and doesn't appeal as a winner waiting to happen.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £94.40
Straight Forecast £117.10
Trifecta £456.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

El Saviour

TOPSPEED:

Tedley

Telegraph:

Masked Dance

D Express:

Legionar

POSTDATA:

Tedley

WEST COUNTRY:

Tedley

Daily Record:

Tedley

RP RATINGS:

El Saviour

The Times:

El Saviour

The Guardian:

El Saviour

Daily Mail:

El Saviour

Daily Mirror:

El Saviour

The Sun:

El Saviour

The Star:

El Saviour