May 14 / 15.35 Ludlow

15.35

Good

Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: /2133- CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Improved to make winning handicap debut over C&D (good) just under a year ago and returned from 11-month absence with encouraging third at Bangor three weeks ago; leading contender if that outing has brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:03 Uttoxeter

Zucayan

11st 12lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Fergal O’Brien

Gained all three hurdle wins at Ludlow; kept on for second behind progressive rival there (2m, good) last month, after a break, but may not be ideally suited by this switch to a left-handed track.

9/2

2nd

5

10th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:02 Ludlow

Zucayan

11st 5lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Fergal O’Brien

Suited by good ground; proved resurgent when last seen five months ago, enhancing a strong C&D record that also features wins (off 2lb lower) in this race in 2023 and 2025 (faller in 2024); very solid claims kept to this scenario.

9/2

9

(6)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:05 Nottingham

Zucayan

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hurdle win in May (2m, good); poor form on the Flat since August, failing to progress for handicaps on last two starts; should benefit from the step up in trip and he has run well on soft going over hurdles; risky but there are grounds for expecting better dropped in class.

33/1

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3P3-

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Beaten at short odds on debut in October and was pulled up on next outing but his third at Taunton (2m, good to soft) in March was quite encouraging and he's open to significant improvement in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton

Him Malaya

11st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Ran respectably at Taunton (2m3f) in April when last seen, taking record under Olive Nicholls to 13134; shapes as if this step back up in trip is worth exploring; solid claims.

7/2

4th

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Him Malaya

12st 1lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Recorded his second hurdle win when scoring over C&D (good) in December; had a break after that but he returned to action with a 2l third back over C&D last month; should be sharper this time and he's still unexposed at this trip; respected.

9/4

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 74721- D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier promise when winning Plumpton maiden (2m, soft) last month, his eighth start over hurdles; that form probably isn't anything to get too excited about, though, and he'll need a better performance in this handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Nottingham

Highland Frolic

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Mark Rimell

prominent, lost position 4f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

20/1

10th

5

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Nottingham

Highland Frolic

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Mark Rimell

prominent, lost position 4f out, weakened over 2f out

20/1

5

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Warwick

Highland Frolic

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Mark Rimell

Won a maiden hurdle in April 2023; signed off for Milton Harris in modest form and has been tailed off in two of his three Flat runs for this yard; others safer.

10/1

Form: 56626- D

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Clear second at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) last month, after a break, and may not have been suited by soft ground when slightly below that form two weeks later; still on a workable mark; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, outpaced but went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, outpaced but went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

10/1

7th

7

(3)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 18622- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won twice (once over C&D) during the winter and was back in good form last month, including when second to Scherbobalob over C&D (good to soft); probably doesn't hold any secrets from the handicapper but can make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:35 Taunton

Force De Frap

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

held up in rear, no impression from 4 out

20/1

6

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Force De Frap

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

prominent, weakened after 2 out (usual 3 out), pulled up before last

25/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Force De Frap

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

jumped left throughout, always behind, bad mistake 2nd, pulled up after 4 out

5/1

Form: 94U15- CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Didn't get home after racing too freely at Stratford three weeks ago and needs to put that run behind him but came good over hurdles with convincing C&D success two starts ago and has obvious claims if judged on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

12:28 Hereford

Scherbobalob

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on.

11/1

5th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

12:28 Hereford

Scherbobalob

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on.

11/1

6th

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:03 Uttoxeter

Scherbobalob

12st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

led, headed when bit short of room on turn after 6th, lost position before 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

Form: /1557- CD

Last run: 160 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Easily beat Zucayan to win C&D novice on this card a year ago (good ground) but ended last year with two very underwhelming handicap runs and struggled (albeit on soft ground) on the Flat last month, after a break; cheekpieces removed after one use; tends to race too freely; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

Fight For It

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: John O’Shea

Won a Ludlow novice (2m, good) in May 2022 but he's found things tough in handicaps since, including on the Flat; his last run was over two years ago and he has lots to prove after a massive absence; hood is removed and tongue-tie returns.

14/1

6th

3

7th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Fight For It

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: John O’Shea

Novice winner but unplaced in all four handicap efforts; bang there at Ludlow in the latest of them last month but faded out of contention; tends to race too freely and another whose chance may depend on the effect of a hood (worn for the first time over hurdles).

14/1

Form: 50115- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Aided by cheekpieces when twice making all under William Maggs in February, latterly over C&D on good ground; finished tired in race that developed into a slog at Kempton three weeks ago but didn't run badly there and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Patient Dream

11st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Aided by cheekpieces when twice making all under William Maggs in February, latterly over C&D on good ground; finished tired in race that developed into a slog at Kempton three weeks ago but didn't run badly there and remains of interest.

4/1

5th

10

24th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:25 Kempton

Patient Dream

10st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

2-2 since fitted with cheekpieces, both wins gained from the front under William Maggs in February, latest at Ludlow (2m, good); still well handicapped judged on peak Flat ability; big player in the retained headgear, provided he returns from two-month break in the same form.

9/2

4

10th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:20 Huntingdon

Patient Dream

11st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Has done better since returned to forcing tactics with cheekpieces fitted on last two starts at 2m, winning quite convincingly at Market Rasen before narrowly hanging on at Ludlow (good), both under William Maggs; back up 6lb, leaving him with more to find.

11/4

Form: 369PP- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on some of his form for Nicky Henderson; looked out of sorts when pulled up on first two starts for current stable; too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Worcester

Chasamax

10st 11lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Never lower in the weights but he's nothing like the force of old and remains opposable.

66/1

10th

12

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Chasamax

10st 11lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

With a new yard this year and nowhere near his old form; dropped 24lb in the process but does not look the percentage call.

66/1

0

5

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Chasamax

11st 7lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Very well handicapped on form shown for Nicky Henderson but generally very disappointing for current stable since the spring; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

40/1

Form: 14116- CD BF

Last run: 164 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Four wins in 2022, the latest gained by 18l over C&D (soft) in November; not seen since running poorly a few days later (raced too freely) but will be fine on good ground and further improvement not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Gerard Mentor

10st 9lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Has been chasing, not beaten far when third at Worcester (2m, good) in September but rather disappointing over the same C&D last time; has four wins to his name over hurdles; not ruled out.

6/1

5th

11

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

13:37 Worcester

Gerard Mentor

10st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

C&D winner just over a year ago and signs of a revival with two better runs returned here of late, including when not far behind Rocks Up Late and Alshadhian last month; player if reproducing those efforts on better terms.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.50
Straight Forecast £33.25
Tricast £229.84
Trifecta £307.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Him Malaya

Daily Mirror:

Highland Frolic

The Times:

Patient Dream

TOPSPEED:

Force De Frap

RP RATINGS:

Coolnaugh Haze

POSTDATA:

Zucayan

WEST COUNTRY:

Him Malaya

Telegraph:

Him Malaya

D Express:

Him Malaya

The Sun:

Him Malaya

Daily Record:

Highland Frolic

The Star:

Patient Dream