April 26 / 15.50 Ludlow

15.50

Good To Soft

Phillip Matthews Memorial Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Phillip Matthews Memorial Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.60
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 444616 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Kept on from poor position for fortunate C&D (good to soft) win on handicap debut in December but was well beaten here three weeks ago and needs to bounce back from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

10th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:37 Ludlow

Regal Renaissance

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Posted best effort of her 2025-26 campaign when neck second, clear of the remainder, at Stratford (2m3f, good) last time; appears capable of going one better, having recorded sole chase success (November 2024) off current mark.

7/4

2nd

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:33 Stratford

Regal Renaissance

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

On a losing sequence and she came in a below-par fourth of eight in 2m4f Ludlow handicap chase last month; needs to take a step forward.

3/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 3096P3

Last run: 163 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden; posted by far her best of three runs for Gary Brown when third of seven at Leicester (1m7f, good to firm; first-time tongue-tie) in November but was beaten over 17l there and hasn't raced again since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Eaton Lady

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Off the mark over hurdles at 18th attempt in May, prevailing narrowly for Isabelle Ryder over C&D (good), and backed up that performance with close second at Worcester (2m4f, good) in July; each-way claims at least.

7/1

2nd

4

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Eaton Lady

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Has improved in recent starts and came out on top in a tight finish at Uttoxeter in May, her first win at the 20th attempt; only 2lb higher and Isabelle Ryder again takes off 10lb; shorter trip of no real concern.

4/1

OUR TIP

100/30

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4-075F

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in first two handicaps (2m3f/3m2f) but, with cheekpieces fitted, was very much in contention before penultimate-flight fall at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; must be considered off same mark here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

26th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Worcester

Whenthepennydrops

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Gradually returned to form last term after a year out, staying on for a place when falling late at Southwell and just stretched by the 2m5f trip at Ludlow latest; one of two runners for owners and may place.

9/2

3rd

9

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:50 Ludlow

Whenthepennydrops

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, pushed along 3 out

100/30

9

12th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell

Whenthepennydrops

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Six-race maiden who has only bits of encouraging form; however, this combination of drop back in trip and first-time headgear may prompt improvement; represents notable connections and can't be written off.

10/1

Form: 44251

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ex-French filly who just held on to open her account in juvenile maiden at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month, her third start for Venetia Williams; moves up in trip today and could easily have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Jikala

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear

4/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Jikala

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear

4/1

3rd

4

28th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:45 Ffos Las

Jikala

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Only fourth at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) recently and she's untested at this trip; however, she kept on for a fair third at Hereford (2m3f, soft) two starts ago and this lightly raced 6yo is not ruled for her good yard.

6/1

Form: 00-598

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Struggled in two bumpers in early part of last year and showed no significant promise when a big-priced outsider for first three hurdling starts (2m-2m4f); improvement required on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:50 Ludlow

Tara Haze

10st 3lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Phillip Dando

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader 4 out, pushed along 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out

66/1

8th

12

3rd Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:30 Ludlow

Tara Haze

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Phillip Dando

Yet to show any significant promise after two bumper runs and two hurdle runs (2m/2m4f).

200/1

9th

15

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Ffos Las

Tara Haze

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Phillip Dando

towards rear of midfield, mistake 3rd

100/1

33/1

Form: 5F5

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Always towards rear on debut in December but has shown minor promise on her two starts this year (both 2m) and might have further improvement to come in handicaps; moves up in trip today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Damask

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-13 over hurdles for Tom Symonds, having signed off with two disappointing runs in the spring, but now 1lb lower than for creditable third of 13 at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in March; changed hands for £13,000 in May and it will be interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

3/1

8th

12

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:40 Hereford

Damask

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Tom Symonds

Consistent in handicaps this spring, making the frame for the third consecutive time when close up over C&D (good to soft; handles heavy) 18 days ago; likely to have a say again.

7/1

3rd

13

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Damask

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ten-race maiden; made the frame on both starts last month, more recently when third of 14 here (2m5f, soft), but needs to find something extra today; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

Form: 00-083

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles but made very encouraging stable debut when third behind Kalpaga at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) this month and has possibilities here if able to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Mrs Kinsella

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in consecutive chases in the autumn and again when reappearing over hurdles last month; now 0-19 under all codes and has a lot to prove but still worth a glance in the betting; cheekpieces refitted.

16/1

11

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

20:00 Stratford

Mrs Kinsella

11st 0lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

Placed in 3-11 hurdle starts on good or good to soft, all at around 2m4f; handy mark but hasn't looked as effective over this trip.

25/1

Form: PP2P

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good) in February but pulled up on other three hurdling starts, most recently on last month's handicap debut; tongue-tie added today; others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:12 Worcester

Presenting Belle

11st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Made a successful chase debut off this mark at Uttoxeter two years ago (3m, good) but later in 2023 she left Lucy Wadham for 1,000gns; likely best watched on this belated return to action.

5/1

1st

3

17th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Uttoxeter

Presenting Belle

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Runner-up in Huntingdon maiden hurdle (2m4f, good) in February but poor otherwise over hurdles, including three handicaps; didn't look the easiest of rides when visored last time and goes chasing with a good bit to prove.

10/1

2

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

Presenting Belle

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Runner-up in Huntingdon maiden hurdle (2m4f, good) in February but poor otherwise over hurdles, including three handicaps; didn't look the easiest of rides when visored last time and goes chasing with a good bit to prove.

5/1

Form: 34430

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who made the frame on first four hurdle starts, most recently when third on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m6f, heavy) in January; reportedly had a respiratory problem when well beaten at Ffos Las last month; contender if back on song here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Noplacetobe

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Winning pointer; lost her way for former yard and never figured on debut for this one in a 2m3f handicap at Chepstow; others safer.

25/1

9th

9

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Noplacetobe

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Placed in two handicaps for Michael Scudamore (2m4f/2m6f) during 2022-23 season but absent since two disappointing runs at end of that campaign; market may guide before today's stable debut.

66/1

9th

5

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:50 Ludlow

Noplacetobe

11st 5lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Michael Scudamore

took keen hold, midfield, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden and no impression after 4 out

8/1

Form: 93PP5P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed in Wexford maiden (2m4f, good) last June but has struggled on all four starts for Sheila Lewis (2m-2m5f); needs the first-time cheekpieces to make a huge difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Talkingthetalk

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Dual course winner, including over C&D last September, when 1lb lower; well below that level since, including when 50-1 and tailed off on last month's reappearance; bit to prove.

25/1

11

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Talkingthetalk

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Won two four-runner Uttoxeter chases (2m4f/3m) in early part of last season but looked out of sorts when last seen in the autumn and is 7lb out of the weights here; seems best on good/good to soft ground.

33/1

11

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Talkingthetalk

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Won two four-runner Uttoxeter chases (2m4f/3m) in early part of last season but looked out of sorts when last seen in the autumn and is 7lb out of the weights here; seems best on good/good to soft ground.

33/1

Form: 50764

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Ultimately well beaten on all three starts over hurdles but ran well to a point on each occasion and evidently has some ability; makes handicap debut off a lowly mark here and ought to last a bit longer in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

Form: -0P301

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Came good for Tim Vaughan at sixth attempt, making virtually all to score by 10l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; went up 11lb for that but short-headed at Ffos Las (2m6f, good to soft) yesterday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell

Kalpaga

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Tim Vaughan

Posted a win then a near-miss over hurdles last April (2m3f/2m6f, good to soft); unable to match that form over fences this season but she was a fair fourth at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December and has had a wind op since being pulled up last time; no surprise if she goes well now back hurdling.

7/1

2

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

12:27 Wetherby

Kalpaga

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Finished 3l fourth in similar event at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago, producing her best effort since switched to chasing; looks favourably weighted on best hurdles form and can't be ruled out.

5/2

Form: 44369

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed on hurdling debut at Southwell (2m, soft) in November but her next two runs (2m4f/2m) were underwhelming, and she'll need to up her game to pose a threat on today's handicap debut.
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

Non-runners

Kalpaga

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £146.50
Straight Forecast £146.14
Tricast £896.60
Trifecta £1342.80

Selections

The Sun:

Jikala

RP Ratings:

Regal Renaissance

POSTDATA:

Kalpaga

Daily Mail:

Mrs Kinsella

The Times:

Passing Kate

The Guardian:

Noplacetobe

SPOTLIGHT:

Whenthepennydrops

The Star:

Jikala

Daily Record:

Jikala

Telegraph:

Regal Renaissance

D Express:

Kalpaga

Daily Mirror:

Mrs Kinsella