March 02 / 14.25 Ludlow

14.25

Good

George Rickards Birthday Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6601.25
  • 2m 7f 174y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
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George Rickards Birthday Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 12

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Game winner of a mares' maiden at Market Rasen in November on rules debut; 13l second to a talented odds-on favourite at Huntingdon (again 2m4f on good to soft) seven weeks ago, which wasn't great form behind her but she is open to improvement on this handicap debut; new trip is plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

5th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Doncaster

Lets Go To Vegas

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Lightly raced 8yo who returned from long absence with narrow win at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) in December but was never dangerous in her follow-up bid at Windsor (fourth of eighth) last month; that wasn't a bad effort but she needs to find more to defy this mark.

9/2

2nd

8

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 3

15:20 Ludlow

Lets Go To Vegas

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Didn't take to fences on first two starts this season; 2-4 over hurdles last campaign, latterly with a 3m win here on handicap debut, and not discredited on return to hurdling four weeks ago considering that was over only 2m; needs a second look.

12/1

5th

3

9th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:10 Market Rasen

Lets Go To Vegas

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Hasn't taken to fences this season but she was 2-4 over hurdles last campaign and she's only 3lb higher than for the handicap success; on the downside, she has something to prove on ground this soft and all her form is at 2m4f+.

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 585527

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
1-14 when trained in Ireland; wore cheekpieces on both her starts for new yard and ran well at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in October but, after wind surgery, she was not quite so good when tongue tied at Sandown three months ago; stays 2m6f, below form sole attempt at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

2nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:52 Uttoxeter

Merry Poppins

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

midfield, not fluent 7th

6/1

3rd

1

27th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:15 Cartmel

Merry Poppins

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, headed and prominent before 2nd, chased clear leader 4th

13/8

3rd

13

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Merry Poppins

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ex-Irish mare who finished second on three of her four starts for Donald McCain last season (all in cheekpieces), most recently when going close in series final at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; still unexposed over 3m; a possible if today's headgear switch has any beneficial effect.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 51-PU2

Last run: 81 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Can make the running; won two novice hurdles last term and, after two early departures over fences, she went down by a neck in five-runner handicap at Southwell in December latest when back over hurdles; could have more to offer but those three most notable results were all over 2m, so this trip requires some guesswork; 7lb claimer enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

17:10 Fontwell

Ucanaver

11st 11lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Anthony Honeyball

pressed winner, led 2nd, headed 3rd, lost second before 5th, soon pushed along, dropped to last after 6th, lost touch from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out

12/1

9th

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:15 Chepstow

Ucanaver

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Two hurdle wins (both 2m, soft and good to soft) last season; sent chasing this season but that plan quickly aborted after two non-completions; she's been much more competitive back hurdling, second at Southwell (2m, good) before finding 3m just stretching her at Ludlow 17 days ago; not ruled out back down in trip.

8/1

3rd

1

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:25 Ludlow

Ucanaver

12st 0lb

J: Sean O’Briain

T: Anthony Honeyball

Can make the running; won two novice hurdles last term and, after two early departures over fences, she went down by a neck in five-runner handicap at Southwell in December latest when back over hurdles; could have more to offer but those three most notable results were all over 2m, so this trip requires some guesswork; 7lb claimer enlisted.

6/1

Form: 1-5437 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Three wins as a novice last season (2m, 3m and 2m5f) but a notch or two below her best this term; tried cheekpieces on latest start; edging down the weights and has a 10lb claimer on board today, having won once last term under another claiming rider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Terresita

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Ready winner at this track (2m5f, good) four weeks ago, coming from last to first and taking chase record to 4-9; likely to be as effective back up to 3m; progressive mare who is one for the shortlist.

7/1

1st

4

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 2

14:15 Ascot

Terresita

10st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Useful mare who has shown career-best form this term, winning Listed event at Carlisle (2m4f) then third in C&D handicap; could go well but likely needs to find some further improvement to defy current mark.

11/1

1st

4

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 2

14:15 Ascot

Terresita

10st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Useful mare who has shown career-best form this term, winning Listed event at Carlisle (2m4f) then third in C&D handicap; could go well but likely needs to find some further improvement to defy current mark.

11/1

Form: 324191 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Her three runs under Alice Stephens included a 2021 win on first occasion; career-best efforts this season to win over C&D (good to soft) and at Hereford (3m2f, good) on two of her last three starts; raised another 6lb, which seems to demand more, but she asserted in good style last time and needs plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

19th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

Lily Glitters

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced after 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

10th

1

19th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

Lily Glitters

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced after 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

6

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Lily Glitters

11st 9lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

prominent, lost position before 6th, detached 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: F0-619 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
It took a while but she registered first British win on penultimate start when coming from off the pace to lead close home in 11-runner race at Haydock (3m, soft) in December; failed to settle when below form on starts either side, tailed off latest, so that's a key issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:50 Kelso

Sacre Coeur

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

She's 2-17 over hurdles as opposed to 7-27 over fences and is unraced in this sphere since November 2023; however, won twice over fences this season (3m1f/2m4f, good/good to soft) and will be a major player if transferring that form back to hurdles.

8/1

1

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:20 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, faced challenge from 12th, headed on turn before 4 out, weakening when unseated 3 out

3/1

1

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Front-runner who went down narrowly last time at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft), which was a good run over that far for one who stays 3m; Harry Atkins rides again and should hang around to have some say.

15/8

7/1

Form: 42-543

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in both her bumpers and in the last two of her three runs over hurdles; all starts have been on softer than good except for debut; open to improvement on this step up in trip for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

8th Feb 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:05 Huntingdon

Kraqueline

11st 1lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Off the mark at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) on debut over fences; disappointing favourite in both outings since; may bounce back at some stage but isn't the percentage call against some in-form opponents.

10/1

0

4

12th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:15 Wincanton

Kraqueline

12st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Won with something in reserve on C&D chase debut in October but had more to prove and was beaten before the home straight in a better Warwick race since; however, she has more going for her in this lower grade.

5/1

6th

8

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Kraqueline

11st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Bumper runner-up who improved upon her hurdling form when winning in good style against males on her chase debut at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) last month; unexposed in this sphere and could play a leading role up 8lb.

7/2

Form: 3-7451 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back handicaps last winter (2m5f/3m; good to soft) and back to her best when scoring at Newbury (3m, good to firm) 11 days ago; did it in clearcut style for that latest win and should go well despite apparently needing to find more under the 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Warwick

Flying Nun

11st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Emma Lavelle

Back in peak form when staying on well to score at Newbury (3m, good to firm) in February and was reportedly unsuited by a slow pace when safely held at Ludlow the following month; a contender if all goes to plan here.

10/1

2

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Flying Nun

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Won back-to-back handicaps (2m5f/3m; good to soft) early last year; got back to her best with clearcut success at Newbury (3m, good to firm) in February but she's not easy to predict and was well held at Ludlow last time; needs to bounce back again after that and she comes with risks attached.

11/2

8th

9

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:25 Ludlow

Flying Nun

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Won back-to-back handicaps last winter (2m5f/3m; good to soft) and back to her best when scoring at Newbury (3m, good to firm) 11 days ago; did it in clearcut style for that latest win and should go well despite apparently needing to find more under the 7lb penalty.

4/1

Form: 224 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who was runner-up over hurdles at Carlisle (2m1f) and Market Rasen (2m4f) in the autumn on first two starts under rules; had wind surgery and off three months before a disappointing favourite on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, again good to soft) three weeks ago; upped in trip with overall improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 96y

17:28 Sligo

Iorens

10st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Turlough O’Connor

Showed promise early in his career; point winner for Sean Doyle and placed over hurdles for Dan Skelton; well exposed in points in recent seasons since return from Britain.

66/1

Form: 3P-F5P D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins on good ground in 2021, one over nearly 3m at Ascot; right out of form on last four outings, including twice over fences this term; well handicapped if she returns to her best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

4th

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

5th

4

27th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:00 Wincanton

Tequila Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hadn't been firing at all but she fairly bolted up over this far at Southwell (good to soft) 54 days ago; back up 7lb but had got herself well handicapped.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.60
Straight Forecast £49.45
Tricast £669.08
Trifecta £431.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Terresita

TOPSPEED:

Lily Glitters

The Times:

Flying Nun

SPOTLIGHT:

Kraqueline

WEST COUNTRY:

Ucanaver

Daily Record:

Lets Go To Vegas

POSTDATA:

Terresita

The Sun:

Terresita

D Express:

Kraqueline

Daily Mail:

Lily Glitters

Daily Mirror:

Lily Glitters

The Guardian:

Flying Nun

The Star:

Flying Nun

Telegraph:

Ucanaver