May 12 / 15.28 Ludlow

15.28

Good

Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 68800- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won a Class 2 handicap off 11lb higher under Charlie Maggs at Musselburgh 14 months ago so the ability is there; however, last season didn't really get off the ground and he tried two different types of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Collingham

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Eight-time hurdle winner, the last two in claimers in the spring; his three chase starts haven't been devoid of promise but he was only sixth of nine at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time and needs something extra.

33/1

6th

4

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Collingham

11st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Latest two wins were in claiming hurdles for another yard; last of four over fences on yard debut and then fifth of seven over hurdles; opposable.

20/1

5

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Collingham

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Latest two wins were in claiming hurdles for Archie Watson; last of four over fences on recent stable debut but didn't run at all badly; this is a warm handicap, however.

16/1

Form: 08531- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Might be a bit tricky but it was his second run in cheekpieces and his second handicap when coming clear at Kempton (2m, good) three weeks ago; the ability is there to cope with an 8lb rise and good ground seems to suit him well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Needed considerable help from the handicapper before winning twice last year and has looked badly out of sorts on both appearances this year; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) are refitted; can't be supported with any confidence.

10/1

10th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing on last two starts but he won twice in the second half of last year (2m, good to soft/good) and the fact his stable is enjoying a very productive month suggests he is well worth a second look.

13/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 513P3- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Only win was quite comfortable in a 1m7f soft-ground handicap at Wincanton last season; perhaps better again when third after a break at Kempton (2m, good) as he wasn't best positioned when the tempo increased; that run can be upgraded and he ran well in this 12 months ago, finishing second to Zucayan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton

Him Malaya

11st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Ran respectably at Taunton (2m3f) in April when last seen, taking record under Olive Nicholls to 13134; shapes as if this step back up in trip is worth exploring; solid claims.

7/2

4th

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Him Malaya

12st 1lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Recorded his second hurdle win when scoring over C&D (good) in December; had a break after that but he returned to action with a 2l third back over C&D last month; should be sharper this time and he's still unexposed at this trip; respected.

9/4

Form: 22690- CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has dipped beneath his last winning mark which was at this track in November 2022; ran well on a couple of occasions last season but not last time at Taunton following wind surgery; bit to prove now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Gerard Mentor

10st 9lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Has been chasing, not beaten far when third at Worcester (2m, good) in September but rather disappointing over the same C&D last time; has four wins to his name over hurdles; not ruled out.

6/1

5th

11

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

13:37 Worcester

Gerard Mentor

10st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

C&D winner just over a year ago and signs of a revival with two better runs returned here of late, including when not far behind Rocks Up Late and Alshadhian last month; player if reproducing those efforts on better terms.

7/1

Form: 52448- D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Temptingly treated on the pick of his handicap form at about 2m on ground not too slow; Taunton last time was disappointing (2m3f, good) but coming back to a sharp 2m will help and could run well if his jumping holds up (can make mistakes).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:45 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: R Mike Smith

Left Nigel Twiston-Davies for £3,000 in May; easy to back, he was well beaten when sixth of eight on his stable debut over C&D ten days ago.

10/1

6th

4

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, raced in second after 2nd

10/1

5th

5

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Temptingly treated on the pick of his handicap form at about 2m on ground not too slow; Taunton last time was disappointing (2m3f, good) but coming back to a sharp 2m will help and could run well if his jumping holds up (can make mistakes).

7/1

Form: 31113- D

Last run: 213 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
In career-best form when last seen and only just came up shy at Worcester (2m, good to soft; fine on good) when bidding for a four-timer; still competitively treated but lacking a run could find her out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Saddlers Quest

10st 11lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Debra Hamer

Won three on the trot over 2m/2m1f last summer (good/good to soft); may have needed the race after a break and wind surgery when last of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, soft) last time; better ground should suit as well.

7/1

5th

2

9th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Saddlers Quest

11st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Debra Hamer

Completed a hat-trick when pipping Karannelle in this race a year ago and looked back in good form when close fourth over C&D (good); slightly disappointing later in June on latest outing but seems quite versatile regarding ground and features prominently in calculations; had wind op in July.

3/1

Form: /1244- D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won at Warwick in October before chasing home the very classy Favour And Fortune at Hereford (2m, good), after which she didn't appear to stay 2m3f; back over 2m for handicap debut after a break at Huntingdon last month, she only lost out on the places on the run-in; might well strip fitter for that; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

19th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Flight Of Freedom

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

1-3 over hurdles last season but has yet to make an impact in handicaps after three starts, albeit she didn't enjoy a clear passage at Ludlow latest; down another 2lb and easy to make a case for on the pick of her hurdles form; interesting on chase debut.

8/1

7th

4

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Flight Of Freedom

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Won at Warwick in October before chasing home the very classy Favour And Fortune at Hereford (2m, good), after which she didn't appear to stay 2m3f; back over 2m for handicap debut after a break at Huntingdon last month, she only lost out on the places on the run-in; might well strip fitter for that; respected.

6/1

7th

4

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Flight Of Freedom

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Won at Warwick in October before chasing home the very classy Favour And Fortune at Hereford (2m, good), after which she didn't appear to stay 2m3f; back over 2m for handicap debut after a break at Huntingdon last month, she only lost out on the places on the run-in; might well strip fitter for that; respected.

6/1

Form: 3/174- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Not his only win here when taking this 12 months ago on good ground off just 3lb lower; encouraging return from a layoff at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) and the third in that race won earlier this week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:03 Uttoxeter

Zucayan

11st 12lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Fergal O’Brien

Gained all three hurdle wins at Ludlow; kept on for second behind progressive rival there (2m, good) last month, after a break, but may not be ideally suited by this switch to a left-handed track.

9/2

2nd

5

10th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:02 Ludlow

Zucayan

11st 5lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Fergal O’Brien

Suited by good ground; proved resurgent when last seen five months ago, enhancing a strong C&D record that also features wins (off 2lb lower) in this race in 2023 and 2025 (faller in 2024); very solid claims kept to this scenario.

9/2

9

(6)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:05 Nottingham

Zucayan

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hurdle win in May (2m, good); poor form on the Flat since August, failing to progress for handicaps on last two starts; should benefit from the step up in trip and he has run well on soft going over hurdles; risky but there are grounds for expecting better dropped in class.

33/1

Form: 08764-

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Some sign of progress when a 14l fourth in a soft-ground juvenile hurdle at Hereford a month ago; that form still needs treating with an element of caution and she's out of the weights for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

My Mate Polly

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground before 4th, midfield 11th

12/1

11

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

My Mate Polly

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground before 4th, midfield 11th

12/1

Non-runners

Jazz King, Equus Millar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.60
Straight Forecast £33.93
Tricast £102.73
Trifecta £148.10

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Cawthorne Banker

SPOTLIGHT:

Him Malaya

TOPSPEED:

Zucayan

RP RATINGS:

Collingham

Daily Mirror:

Saddlers Quest

POSTDATA:

Him Malaya

The Times:

Him Malaya

Telegraph:

Cawthorne Banker

The Sun:

Cawthorne Banker

The Star:

Cawthorne Banker

Daily Record:

Cawthorne Banker

D Express:

Zucayan