April 26 / 16.23 Ludlow

16.23

Good To Soft

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

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

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 59961F D BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Improved and rewarded heavy market support on handicap debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in February; beaten when falling at Ffos Las (3m) latest but progress remains possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

21st May 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

Maid Of The Night

10st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

2-3 since switched to handicaps, and the form of last month's Ludlow success (2m5f, good to soft) has recently been well advertised by the close second; moves up in trip today; could easily have more to offer.

5/1

1st

11

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:23 Ludlow

Maid Of The Night

10st 7lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Improved and rewarded heavy market support on handicap debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in February; beaten when falling at Ffos Las (3m) latest but progress remains possible.

7/1

9

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Maid Of The Night

10st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Won a point bumper in January 2022; well held under rules until handicap debut 18 days ago when she won seven-runner race at Hereford (good) on step up from 2m to 2m6f; 5-4 favourite that day and plenty in that performance suggested she would stay further; raised 6lb but may well follow up.

7/4

Form: 224441 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier promise when winning quite stylishly on handicap debut at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) last month; should be fine on the forecast quicker ground here and a 6lb rise could turn out to be lenient.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Our Laura B

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

No win since May 2023 but, following wind surgery, she's not been far away in two of her last three starts; the latest was her fifth of 14 to Gardener over C&D; place chance.

11/2

5th

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Our Laura B

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

On a long losing sequence and she was pulled up in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Newcastle 32 days ago; she's not easy to make a case for.

12/1

Form: 322317

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Jumped poorly and was well beaten in valuable series final last month but has generally been very consistent at around 2m since switched to hurdling last summer; won't be far away if stamina holds out here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

23rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:15 Musselburgh

Never No Trouble

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

slowly away and lost many lengths start

11/2

11th

10

(3)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Nottingham

Never No Trouble

10st 4lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Well beaten at Doncaster last July on her most recent Flat outing; she was returning from six months off when unplaced over hurdles last month; maiden status on Flat set to remain intact.

16/1

Form: 66F7

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Showed her first glimmer of promise when midfield in Doncaster maiden (2m, good) last month; 2lb out of the weights for today's handicap debut but could quite plausibly have more to offer over the longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:35 Perth

Happy Index

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Record of 3-8 for this yard and her only real blip was last time at Bangor; record here rates a big positive and she could easily bounce back.

9/2

4th

2

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Happy Index

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

3-7 for current stable since the autumn; lost out only by a neck when second at Perth (3m, good) last month and may yet have further improvement to come; must be considered.

2/1

1

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:42 Perth

Happy Index

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Justified favouritism at Perth (3m2f) last time, taking form figures for current yard to 211231 and record under Sean Bowen to 3-3; respected with further progress plausible.

9/4

33/1

Form: 087387

Last run: 190 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed in big field at Galway (2m6f, yielding) last September but made low-key stable debut the following month and hasn't raced again since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

19:00 Hereford

Chinook

11st 10lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

In rear throughout when sixth at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in April and and fell there 12 days ago; now 0-13 over hurdles; needs the addition of blinkers to give her a good boost here.

33/1

6th

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

19:00 Hereford

Chinook

11st 10lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

In rear throughout when sixth at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in April and and fell there 12 days ago; now 0-13 over hurdles; needs the addition of blinkers to give her a good boost here.

33/1

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:38 Ludlow

Chinook

10st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Sheila Lewis

Ex-Irish maiden; easily best of five starts for new yard came in April 2023, four runs back, when fifth of 13 over C&D; 6lb lower today but needs a revival on this second run since her winter break.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4F32P0

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good) in November but pulled up when upped to 2m4f for next outing and finished down the field when dropped back to 2m and tried in cheekpieces (retained) last time; moves back up in trip here; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

6th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:13 Uttoxeter

Symbolic Spirit

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Always prominent when off the mark with a narrow verdict at Hereford (2m, good) two weeks ago; had little in hand and she's gone up 6lb, yet the runner-up had won his previous race.

5/2

1st

6

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Symbolic Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-11 over hurdles; managed only third of six when warm favourite for stable debut in March (2m) and was pulled up last month (2m4f); however, she was found to be slightly lame after that latest run and may yet come good for Dan Skelton.

8/1

1st

6

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Symbolic Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-11 over hurdles; managed only third of six when warm favourite for stable debut in March (2m) and was pulled up last month (2m4f); however, she was found to be slightly lame after that latest run and may yet come good for Dan Skelton.

8/1

Form: 40-374

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 22l when fourth of seven on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in March but that was her first run for six months and the outing may have brought her on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

13th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:40 Fakenham

Div Ine Tara

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Clare Hobson

Not beaten far at Ludlow in April (2m5f, good to soft) but early mistakes cost her when pulled up on final start for Fergal O'Brien; probably best watched on this occasion in first-time headgear.

20/1

Form: 7F-P15

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Displayed sudden jolt of improvement to cause 20-1 surprise at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) last month, her third handicap, but was safely held at Taunton (3m, good to soft) a fortnight later and needs to kick on again now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Atjima

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Has lost her way since last March's Ffos Las win on good ground off this mark; hasn't had those conditions since but she was reluctant to line up on her reappearance and then pulled up next time.

25/1

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Atjima

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Has lost her way since last March's Ffos Las win on good ground off this mark; hasn't had those conditions since but she was reluctant to line up on her reappearance and then pulled up next time.

25/1

3

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Atjima

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Surprise winner at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) in March but hasn't threatened to win again and she was reluctant to line up when tailed off after a break at Taunton.

16/1

Form: 36544

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat in Germany in 2019 but is 0-5 over hurdles; certainly didn't run badly when fourth in two Worcester handicaps (2m4f/2m) in early part of this season but has fitness to prove after 202-day absence and the cheekpieces (worn for her last three races) are missing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Night Fever

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

0-7 over hurdles but returned from long absence with quite encouraging sixth of 15 at Stratford (2m, good to firm; behind Jo's Rainbow) last month; might have come on for the run.

14/1

6th

9

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:55 Stratford

Night Fever

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

1m1f winner in Germany (2019); there have been positive signs in six defeats over hurdles but hasn't raced since April 2023.

12/1

9th

7

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:23 Ludlow

Night Fever

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won on the Flat in Germany in 2019 but is 0-5 over hurdles; certainly didn't run badly when fourth in two Worcester handicaps (2m4f/2m) in early part of this season but has fitness to prove after 202-day absence and the cheekpieces (worn for her last three races) are missing.

11/1

Form: 6F-90P

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on all three starts for new stable this year, the last twice in handicaps (2m-2m4f); considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st May 2023

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

Iconic Rock

11st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Safely held in all three handicap hurdles, albeit she was prominent for a long way at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) on latest outing last month; needs to improve on today's chasing debut but her Irish point second in 2021 bodes well, and she's worth a glance in the betting.

14/1

10th

6

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:23 Ludlow

Iconic Rock

11st 3lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

Soundly beaten on all three starts for new stable this year, the last twice in handicaps (2m-2m4f); considered only if lively in the betting.

16/1

2

18th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:45 Uttoxeter

Iconic Rock

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

Went close in Irish point last winter; has had few chances over hurdles but effort was short-lived on handicap debut at Ffos Las 13 days ago (2m5f, good) and needs much more for the return to 2m.

20/1

20/1

Form: 9074

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made inauspicious start to her rules career but took good step forward when 150-1 fourth in 2m novice here (good to soft) last month; almost certainly needs to improve again today but the move back up in trip ought to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

My Virtue

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Good-ground winner off 6lb lower last season and mostly running well this campaign over hurdles and fences; latest run in a handicap chase needs forgiving but couldn't rule out.

5/1

8

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

My Virtue

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Stuck to her task pretty well at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last month and has now finished second on two of her last three starts but the forecast rain is probably not helpful here; tongue-tie left off today.

14/1

2nd

8

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

My Virtue

10st 12lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Didn't really fire at Stratford last month and now 0-4 over fences but that run came just one week after a pretty good second there (2m3f, good to firm) and she's had a longer break this time; a possible.

8/1

Form: 379

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 31l when third on debut in December (1m7f) and tailed off twice since (2m4f/2m5f) but remains very unexposed and is a possible improver on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

12:25 Wetherby

Danas Gem

10st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Form: 43

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed on Irish point debut just over a year ago and shaped with significant promise before weakening into fourth on hurdle debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) in January; looked tired when well-held third at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) last month but still makes appeal in this low-grade handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

8th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Olriver Shine

11st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Showed ability in Irish point; hasn't progressed from a reasonable hurdle debut at Plumpton in January and out with the washing on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in April; still time for her to do better but others more obvious today.

20/1

13th

5

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:23 Ludlow

Olriver Shine

11st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Placed on Irish point debut just over a year ago and shaped with significant promise before weakening into fourth on hurdle debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) in January; looked tired when well-held third at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) last month but still makes appeal in this low-grade handicap.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £24.71
Tricast £177.43

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Laura B

D Express:

Ol'river Shine

RP Ratings:

Never No Trouble

Telegraph:

Atjima

Daily Mail:

Maid Of The Night

WEST COUNTRY:

Div Ine Tara

Daily Record:

Ol'river Shine

POSTDATA:

Our Laura B

The Times:

Our Laura B

Daily Mirror:

Our Laura B

The Star:

Our Laura B

The Sun:

Never No Trouble

The Guardian:

Atjima