May 09 / 18.25 Ludlow

18.25

Good

JM Construction Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 3m 1f 125y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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JM Construction Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 51P34- C

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Best form over fences when wide-margin winner of his second chase, at Hereford in November (3m1f, good to soft), but hasn't lived up to that promise and again a weak finisher at Wetherby in March (2m3f, soft; has won on that surface); risky for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Still in front when falling on his return to hunter chasing in January but ran miserably at Leicester next time where soft ground was no excuse; had been in good form in handicaps before those setbacks and would take some beating if back on song.

6/4

3rd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Jet Plane

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Good form in handicaps this winter includes a Leicester success; still in front when falling at Warwick returned to hunter chasing last time; retains all of his ability and is top on the figures in this field.

1/2

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing.

6/5

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 54656- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Looked to have a bright future as a staying chaser in 2019-20 season but been through hard times and nothing like the same horse these days, in cheekpieces on last three starts; right down the weights but has it to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Copperhead

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider (still prominent) at Sandown in January when seeking a second success in the veterans final; battled his way back to pip Gabbys Cross for a Newbury win (3m2f) four weeks ago and, although 5lb rise takes him to his highest mark since 2022, this sterling character needs major respect.

2/1

1st

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Copperhead

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider three out, having still been prominent, at Sandown last time when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; remains on the last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in good form and completes the course.

12/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Copperhead

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form: PP451- C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Winner of both chase completions here, over 2m4f and 3m; very mixed in recent times but good going is important to him and he was back to form when getting his ground here 13 days ago; the threat of rain is a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Marettimo

10st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Returned from long absence with fairly encouraging run at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October but has looked out of sorts since and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

33/1

Form: 21P3P- CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Good course record, winning three from five starts at 3m-3m1f (good and good to soft) but the latest defeat in March was a lesser effort and divided two pulled-up runs; less on his plate than at Haydock last month but can't count on a return to best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Tide Times

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Has gained all chase wins at Ludlow, the most recent in late 2023; dismal form since, including at that venue; not the percentage call.

25/1

3rd

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Tide Times

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Has gained all chase wins at Ludlow, the most recent in late 2023; dismal form since, including at that venue; not the percentage call.

25/1

6th

4

20th Mar 2025

Good

3m 6f 130y

Class 4

16:05 Chepstow

Tide Times

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

towards rear, midfield 4th, in touch with leaders before 13th

33/1

Form: /6251-

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
These aids seem to have helped and he was having just his second attempt at a staying trip when a convincing winner at Huntingdon last month (2m7f, good to soft; only three finished); should go on; Harry Cobden a rare booking for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

16th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:25 Aintree

Kakamora

10st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

pressed leader, pushed along 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out

9/2

1st

2

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Kakamora

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

Flopped at Ludlow last month and has something to prove on the back of that, but two starts ago he won at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) and he's also effective on good ground; not ruled out.

5/2

5th

6

9th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

18:25 Ludlow

Kakamora

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Tom George

These aids seem to have helped and he was having just his second attempt at a staying trip when a convincing winner at Huntingdon last month (2m7f, good to soft; only three finished); should go on; Harry Cobden a rare booking for the yard.

3/1

Form: /132P-

Last run: 134 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
All best form at about 3m1f on good ground and impressive when winning at Kempton in October; solid efforts in defeat since before pulled up on good to soft on Boxing Day; form chance if ground is suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Minella Buster

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

disputed lead, swerved sharply right and badly hampered rival before 1st, led clearly 2nd, went clear before 4th, reduced lead 8th

14/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

Form: /4P5P-

Last run: 61 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2023

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

20:20 Stratford

Valsheda

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Warren Greatrex

Won 3m chase at Ffos Las for Nicky Henderson last March (good to soft) but out of sorts in various aids for new connections since December; tongue-tie refitted and first-time blinkers added; risky.

8/1

1

9th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

18:25 Ludlow

Valsheda

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Kitts

T: Warren Greatrex

10

24th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:55 Kempton

Valsheda

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Kitts

T: Warren Greatrex

Won off a 5lb higher mark last spring for Nicky Henderson; however, form for current yard (three attempts) is far from convincing; change of headgear needs to spark a revival.

20/1

Form: P2P/4-

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins and although a maiden over fences he's shown useful form at times, most recently when chasing home an improver at Market Rasen last February (3m, good to soft; acts well on soft); respectable fourth back from break at Doncaster and easing ground a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

18:25 Ludlow

Brianstorm

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Two hurdle wins and although a maiden over fences he's shown useful form at times, most recently when chasing home an improver at Market Rasen last February (3m, good to soft; acts well on soft); respectable fourth back from break at Doncaster and easing ground a plus.

10/1

4th

5

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:10 Doncaster

Brianstorm

11st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

0-8 over fences with an in-and-out profile, and he's been absent since being pulled up at Fakenham last April; however, he's had wind surgery since (his third such operation) and has run well after an absence in the past; on a handy mark and capable of a bold show.

6/1

Non-runners

Valsheda

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.80
Straight Forecast £34.88
Tricast £108.90
Trifecta £158.00

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Kakamora

RP RATINGS:

Minella Buster

TOPSPEED:

Tide Times

POSTDATA:

Marettimo

The Times:

Jet Plane

SPOTLIGHT:

Brianstorm

D Express:

Minella Buster

Telegraph:

Kakamora

Daily Mirror:

Kakamora

The Sun:

Kakamora

The Star:

Kakamora

Daily Record:

Kakamora

Daily Mail:

Tide Times

The Guardian:

Marettimo