May 14 / 14.35 Ludlow

14.35

Good

Alastair Ralph Open Day 16th September Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Alastair Ralph Open Day 16th September Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 38432-

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Useful chaser who has modest strike-rate (1-20) for a horse of his ability but is consistent; ran well in two novice hurdles here (2m5f/2m, good to soft) last month and today's forecast quicker ground will suit; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Guy

12st 6lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Mrs Mary Cookson

Used to like it here, not out of the first three in five starts including over fences and when winning a novice hurdle in 2023; first start for this yard when far from disgraced in Taunton hunter chase (about 2m5f, good) in January but his 20l defeat at Cocklebarrow (3m) later that month was disappointing; still not ruled out.

8/1

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Guy

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Better known as a chaser and he hasn't been able to exploit his lower hurdle mark in two starts this year, tailed off last time at Doncaster (2m5f, good); has never run over this far either so has plenty to prove.

20/1

5th

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Guy

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

always behind

20/1

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 421- D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Delivered on promise shown in bumpers when narrow winner on hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month, form that looks better now than it did at the time; has a penalty to shoulder but ought to be a tough nut to crack; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Soldat Forte

11st 11lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up in two chases this season, after a layoff, and soundly beaten when back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces three weeks ago; very well handicapped on old form but current ability is hard to gauge.

12/1

6th

4

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Worcester

Soldat Forte

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Lightly raced since maiden hurdle win in early 2023 and his pulled-up runs this year, when back from another lengthy layoff, don't recommend for this; cheekpieces added; major turnaround a must.

16/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:23 Stratford

Soldat Forte

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Charlie Longsdon

Southwell winner over hurdles in 2023 (2m, good to soft); best of his three chase runs was when third over C&D in July 2024 (good to firm); hung left and was pulled up on return from a 325-day break at Worcester in May; bit to prove now.

16/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 60-

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some fair form on the Flat in Ireland in 2021 but was about 31l behind Soldat Forte on last month's hurdling debut at Southwell; no significant improvement here a fortnight later; probably one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Captain Attridge

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Just 1-12 over hurdles but the win was at this track (2m, good) and he ran well in defeat here last month, after a break; on workable mark if stamina holds out over this new trip; must be considered.

9/4

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Captain Attridge

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Just 1-12 over hurdles but the win was at this track (2m, good) and he ran well in defeat here last month, after a break; on workable mark if stamina holds out over this new trip; must be considered.

9/4

2nd

2

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Captain Attridge

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Scored comfortably in another novice handicap over C&D (good) last May after a layoff and he was placed on next three outings; something amiss in a run last August and below form in first-time cheekpieces in October on his only start since, but the earlier good efforts can't be forgotten.

6/1

10/1

Form: 5P36F-

Last run: 66 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden on the Flat; has shown some ability over hurdles, most notably when third in fillies' race at Hereford (2m, good) in February, but a minor role is probably her best hope here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

28th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Bath

By Pass

9st 12lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced and lost position over 2f out, soon dropped to rear and no impression

20/1

6th

1

(9)

9th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Brighton

By Pass

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Bill Turner

led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left 1f out, soon weakened

20/1

7th

7

24th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:50 Southwell

By Pass

10st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, led, headed but prominent after 1st, ridden and weakened before 3 out

12/1

Form: 12124- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Fair hurdler/chaser who was 2-5 over fences last season; not at best at Ayr last month but will be suited by today's trip/ground and has pretty good chance at the weights on this hurdling return; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Great HeartJac

11st 1lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fair hurdler/chaser who was 2-5 over fences last season; not at best at Ayr last month but will be suited by today's trip/ground and has pretty good chance at the weights on this hurdling return; cheekpieces added.

11/4

4th

4

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:10 Ayr

Great HeartJac

11st 2lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Two small-field wins at Leicester (2m, good to firm/good) from his first three chase starts and again ran well when second of four at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) 12 days ago; needs another step forward here but that's possible, especially if good ground prevails; tongue-tie goes on.

6/1

3

10th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:05 Huntingdon

Great HeartJac

11st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Going great guns in 2m handicap chases, winning two of first three starts (on good to firm/good); failed to find much in one 2m4f handicap but, as an Irish point winner, he should stay this far over fences; ran well when runner-up at Market Rasen yesterday.

100/30

Form: 09-

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when finishing last in two bumpers last season; makes no appeal on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Hay Up Harry

11st 1lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Sophie Leech

Well beaten when finishing last in two bumpers last season; makes no appeal on today's hurdling debut.

100/1

9th

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:00 Huntingdon

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Went off a big price when finishing last on good to soft at Chepstow; no appeal.

66/1

14th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Sixth foal; brother to two maidens; dam 2m4f-2m6f hurdle winner, half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Rebel Swing; stable 0-8 in bumpers recent seasons; can only be watched.

66/1

Form: 37P0-

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when third of five in Fakenham bumper in November but struggled on his first two hurdling attempts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Haafbourd

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

midfield, not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th

33/1

6th

4

7th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:45 Warwick

Haafbourd

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

towards rear

250/1

7th

6

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Haafbourd

11st 1lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Not beaten far when third of five in Fakenham bumper in November but struggled on his first two hurdling attempts.

100/1

Form: 8P6-

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten outsider on his two hurdling starts towards the end of last season; can't be recommended here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Alright Chap

11st 1lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Well-beaten outsider on his two hurdling starts towards the end of last season; can't be recommended here.

100/1

6th

3

10th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:35 Huntingdon

Alright Chap

11st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Both runs were on softer than good and at this track, when beaten 27l in a bumper and pulled up at 125-1 in a 2m maiden hurdle.

100/1

1

28th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:00 Huntingdon

Alright Chap

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Richard Phillips

always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out

40/1

Form: PP-

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season; needs subsequent wind op to have maed a huge difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

23rd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Huntingdon

Imperial Admiral

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season and, following a wind op, unseating rider when veering right at first flight at Ludlow nine days ago; too risky.

33/1

8

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Imperial Admiral

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season; needs subsequent wind op to have maed a huge difference.

40/1

5

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Imperial Admiral

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, not fluent 1st, ridden and dropped to rear 4 out, mistake and pulled up 3 out

16/1

Form: P-

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat at his best; had excuse when pulled up over C&D on stable/hurdle debut in November (bled from the nose) but this year's AW form has been underwhelming; others have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

(4)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:20 Southwell (AW)

Pavlodar

9st 7lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Two good runs in Class 6 company at Chepstow in the summer, getting off the mark at the 14th attempt in August; bled from the nose when disappointing at that track in September; sold for 5,000gns in November and just the type that Mick Appleby will find races for; betting instructive.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.70
Straight Forecast £3.84
Trifecta £41.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Guy

The Sun:

Soldat Forte

POSTDATA:

Great Heart'jac

TOPSPEED:

By Pass

Daily Record:

Soldat Forte

D Express:

Great Heart'jac

RP RATINGS:

Guy

WEST COUNTRY:

Guy

The Times:

Guy

Telegraph:

Guy

Daily Mirror:

Guy

The Star:

Guy