December 20 / 15.25 Ludlow

15.25

Good To Soft

Tanners Wines EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4928.62
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
Tanners Wines EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-71 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m, soft) who showed improved form when scoring comfortably at Wetherby (2m, heavy) last month on his second hurdles start; in top hands and holds leading claims under a 6lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back.

9/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his sole Irish maiden point (3m, yielding to soft) and again showed significant promise when runner-up on last month's hurdle debut at Warwick (2m, soft); open to improvement for top yard and he has strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Amrons Sage

11st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Fairly useful under rules for Nicky Henderson in 2023 and was evidently suited by the thorough stamina test when winning open point at Kingston Blount (4m, soft) in February; slightly disappointing when only third behind Norton Hill and Assassins Lullaby on good ground in March, though.

14/1

5th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Amrons Sage

11st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Fairly useful under rules for Nicky Henderson in 2023 and was evidently suited by the thorough stamina test when winning open point at Kingston Blount (4m, soft) in February; slightly disappointing when only third behind Norton Hill and Assassins Lullaby on good ground in March, though.

14/1

7th

6

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Amrons Sage

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Low-mileage 7yo; ran big race in defeat on chasing debut at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) in November but two very disappointing performances have followed; needs to get career back on track.

6/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 10-1 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point (2m4f, good to soft) and bumper (2m, good to soft) winner who made it 3-4 when scoring on his hurdle debut over C&D (good to soft) last month; did it nicely and he's a player under a 6lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

19

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Zephyr

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today.

40/1

2nd

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Western Zephyr

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Made a winning return at Carlisle (2m) in October 2024 but his form nosedived later in the season, pulled up in the Topham at Aintree last spring on his final run for Charlie Longsdon; since changed hands for £20,000 and he needs to hit the ground running for his new yard after ten months off.

25/1

Form: 43-25

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in both bumpers (2m, soft/good) and has shown solid form in defeat on his first two hurdle starts (2m/1m7f, good to soft); others here may have greater potential but he can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bubble Dubi

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Has run just four times since 2023; returned from long absence to win at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last November but failed to repeat the form in prestigious handicaps at Newbury and Sandown; something to prove.

50/1

8

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Bubble Dubi

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in February 2024 and this 9yo was racing for the first time since when winning at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November 2025; he's a lot better than he showed at Newbury latest (2m, heavy; again failed to settle) but is hard to fancy on the back of that heavy defeat.

50/1

8th

9

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Bubble Dubi

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Missed last term but showed further progress to score readily at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in sole outing this season, albeit the form may not be reliable as several hurdles were omitted; on a stiffer mark and goes up sharply in class.

20/1

Form: 0-7

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
He's with a leading trainer and it's still very early days, but he was tailed off in both bumpers (2m, good to soft) and needs to be an entirely different proposition on this hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:35 Uttoxeter

Scarpered

11st 4lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten on all four hurdling starts, most recently when dropped back to 2m (from 2m4f) for handicap debut three weeks ago; in good hands and can't be written off just yet but needs this jump up in trip to enable significant improvement.

12/1

10th

1

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell

Scarpered

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten on all three hurdling starts, most recently in very ordinary 2m4f Plumpton maiden this month; will need to improve to make a winning handicap debut but represents a top stable and today's switch to good ground might show him in a better light.

4/1

6th

8

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

14:23 Plumpton

Scarpered

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Nicky Henderson

In a top stable but beaten a distance or more in all his four runs, twice over hurdles (2m/2m4f); there was some promise behind the useful Pembroke at Ludlow in December and this is very weak.

6/1

8/1

Form: 13 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper at Ayr (2m, good) in May for Micky Hammond on his first start and he was a solid third of 15 on his hurdle and stable debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month; improvement needed but that's possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:40 Market Rasen

Picks Lad

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Took a big step up in trip on his handicap hurdle debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) in April and was awarded the race (due to interference); subsequently sold out of Kim Bailey's yard for £25,000 and this lightly raced 7yo brings potential to today's chase debut, with his new yard in fine form.

3/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Picks Lad

11st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

prominent, challenging when short of room and badly hampered on turn after 3 out, rallied to challenge 2 out, kept on well final 110yds, just failed, finished 2nd, placed 1st

6/1

4th

5

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:35 Southwell

Picks Lad

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

prominent

9/2

Form: 334-7

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability in bumpers but he was well beaten at 100-1 on last month's hurdle/seasonal debut at Newbury and is probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:35 Uttoxeter

Mount South

11st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ian Williams

Made an encouraging handicap debut when third over C&D (good to soft) in February but he didn't get very far at Fontwell next time and was pulled up at Wincanton (15-8 favourite) in March; should still have potential but he needs to get back on track after a short break.

7/1

5

27th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Mount South

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

towards rear, ridden and hung right then jockey looked down to see if something was amiss before 2 out, pulled up just after 2 out

2/1

6

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Mount South

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders, hampered 1st, soon unseated rider

5/2

Form: 28/3

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Ireland in a bumper and a maiden point, and he again showed ability when 18l third of 12 over C&D (good to soft) on last month's stable debut; however, he has lots to find with the winner Western Zephyr.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:57 Worcester

Zero Tolerance

11st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

17-race maiden under rules; reached the frame on numerous occasions over fences but he was beaten 21l when third at Hexham (1m7f, good to soft) two weeks ago; should be fine back on the forecast quicker ground but he needs to get back near his best.

4/1

3rd

1

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

Zero Tolerance

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

16-race maiden under rules; placed in six of his nine races over fences; fair fourth of five to a subsequent dual winner at Wetherby last time (1m7f, good); each-way chance.

5/1

4th

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 4

15:50 Wetherby

Zero Tolerance

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Well capable of being involved, as his close third at Catterick on most recent attempt over 1m7f attests; the negative is that he's a fairly exposed maiden whose latest defeat took chase record to 0-8.

5/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt in British points (3m, firm) and, having changed hands for £20,000, he won a maiden hurdle at Southwell on last month's rules debut (2m, good; left clear at the final flight); tougher assignment here under a 6lb penalty but he's promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

No Risk With Lou

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Three-time C&D winner, including this race last year (good ground); probably won't be favoured by any rain but didn't run badly in Class 2 event at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) in September on latest outing and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; high on the list.

4/1

Form: 9P

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in sole bumper and pulled up at 200-1 on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

23rd Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:35 Huntingdon

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

pulled hard, midfield, not fluent 5 out, ridden and dropped to rear before 4 out

25/1

11th

15

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 9lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Well-beaten at triple-digit odds on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m); similar outcome very likely again here.

100/1

10th

16

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:25 Ludlow

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Well beaten in sole bumper and pulled up at 200-1 on hurdle debut.

100/1

Form: 22-307

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in her first four bumpers but tailed off at Kilbeggan in July and it was the same story on her hurdle debut at Tramore in October; has changed hands since and others are preferred on her stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:23 Perth

State Of Honor

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Hannah McMahon

Overcome significant interference from a loose horse to win for Tim Vaughan at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) just over a year ago but left that stable after a disappointing run last October and was a pulled-up outsider when reappearing for new trainer last week.

40/1

3

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:00 Kelso

State Of Honor

11st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: Hannah McMahon

Opened her account at Fontwell (2m5f) last September but came in last of nine at Hereford (2m4f) 11 months ago on her final run for Tim Vaughan; since changed hands for £1,000 and she needs to hit the ground running for her new stable.

25/1

9th

2

14th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

State Of Honor

11st 8lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Too good for a heavily backed subsequent winner when opening account at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month; not quite in same form when well-held second off same mark a few days later and an 8lb rise has now taken effect but she remains of interest.

9/2

Form: 90

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a bumper at Bangor and over hurdles at Taunton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Tended to hang when failing favourite backers off this mark here (2m5f) last month but that was another solid enough run; should be heavily involved.

5/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Resurgent 8yo who kept on well to score at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip; major player.

11/4

1st

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Little Pi

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Has proved resurgent with a pair of second-place finishes and the latest effort, over C&D, is a solid piece of form; back up 5lb but has won off this mark; respected.

6/4

Form: 94

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big odds and soundly beaten in both bumpers; now goes hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Black Tonic

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tom Gretton

Ex-Irish; yet to win in 11 runs under rules and hasn't shown much in his two outings for this yard; plenty to prove at present.

25/1

7

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Black Tonic

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tom Gretton

Ex-Irish; yet to win in 11 runs under rules and hasn't shown much in his two outings for this yard; plenty to prove at present.

25/1

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:05 Warwick

Black Tonic

11st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

held up in rear, mistake 3rd, hit 4th, not fluent 5th

20/1

Form: 0-4P

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up on his three starts; a hood now goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

31st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Kalibrate

10st 5lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Martin Keighley

Yet to show any form of note and pulled up in 3m1f Hereford handicap on his return in November; it's easy to look elsewhere.

66/1

Form:

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair third of seven in British maiden point (2m4f, good to firm) on debut in May but he was tailed off at 200-1 in a bumper at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is hard to fancy now going hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Chairman Fitz

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out

100/1

11th

4

30th Dec 2022

Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

13:30 Haydock

Chairman Fitz

11st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

Third in a British maiden point (2m4f) in May, but tailed off at 200-1 in an Exeter bumper and 300-1 in a Ludlow novice hurdle.

100/1

15th

7

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:25 Ludlow

Chairman Fitz

11st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Harriet Dickin

Fair third of seven in British maiden point (2m4f, good to firm) on debut in May but he was tailed off at 200-1 in a bumper at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is hard to fancy now going hurdling.

200/1

Form: 2

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
15-2, 9l second of five behind a Roger Varian-trained winner on last month's debut in a bumper at Fakenham (2m, good to soft); that was a fairly encouraging start but she may be of greater interest when tackling further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:45 Ffos Las

Gaye Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

Dual hurdle winner last season (2m7f/3m) and returned from ten-month break with two good efforts in February, latterly when second to Felicie Du Maquis at Ludlow (3m, soft); will probably be in the shake-up again.

5/1

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:45 Ffos Las

Gaye Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

never going well, in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Gaye Legacy

11st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Very solid campaign last season, winning twice (2m7f/3m, good to soft/soft), and she was a fair fourth in a tough handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) on this month's belated reappearance; drops back down in grade today and could play a leading role.

7/2

Non-runners

Gaye Legacy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.80
Straight Forecast £12.16
Trifecta £28.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Western Zephyr

SPOTLIGHT:

Pembroke

WEST COUNTRY:

Picks Lad

LAMBOURN:

Amrons Sage

The Star:

Picks Lad

The Times:

Western Zephyr

Telegraph:

Western Zephyr

Daily Mail:

Western Zephyr

The Sun:

Western Zephyr

Daily Record:

Western Zephyr

RP Ratings:

Pembroke

TOPSPEED:

Pembroke

The Guardian:

Pembroke

D Express:

Pembroke

Daily Mirror:

Pembroke