November 27 / 13.40 Ludlow

13.40

Good To Soft

Marsh Commercial Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 171y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Marsh Commercial Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 64-P1P D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has had only three starts over fences and won at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) last month but he's been pulled up either side of that; still has potential in this sphere but he needs to bounce back again and others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

14:45 Haydock

Safe Destination

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Scored at Chepstow (3m2f) in October but he turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up in 3m5f Fakenham handicap chase in December; cheekpieces are reached for now and he's the sort to bounce back.

8/1

2nd

6

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Kempton

Safe Destination

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Scored by 4l in conditional jockeys' race at Chepstow (3m2f, good to firm) last Sunday, taking chase record to 6-16; escapes a penalty and commands respect.

7/4

8

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

13:32 Chepstow

Safe Destination

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

5-15 over fences; looked as good as ever when placed at Perth (3m, good) last month, after a break, and was runner-up on his only visit to Chepstow; likely contender.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 2262-4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Sole was win over hurdles in 2021; record of 0-12 over fences but there have been five seconds at up to 3m and he ran well for a long way here on his stable debut last month; should benefit from that run and he could get involved back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

On The Platform

10st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Belinda Clarke

Mastered Getaway Glory up the run-in to land this contest off 1lb higher in 2024 (good to soft); present attainment level a matter of conjecture, having pulled up on sole outing since.

33/1

14

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

On The Platform

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

midfield, mistake 7th

10/1

14

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

On The Platform

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

midfield, mistake 7th

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 4-491U D BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on second chase start when 10l winner at Worcester (3m, good to soft) last month, despite running from 10lb out of the handicap; 6lb higher here and he unseated last time but that wasn't his fault (he was hampered) and he should have more to offer over fences; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

26th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

17:35 Uttoxeter

Meechlands Magic

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Debra Hamer

Came good with 10l win at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) in October and ran another big race when third at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) the following month but has fitness to prove after 242-day break and the headgear is missing today.

10/1

3rd

6

27th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

13:40 Ludlow

Meechlands Magic

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Debra Hamer

disputed lead, led before 3rd

5/1

Form: 6P7-0

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish point (3m, soft) last November but that was in a match and he's struggled in four hurdle runs since; now makes his handicap/chase debut but he needs a transformation on this big step back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Ballyrashane

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Made all over C&D (good) in March and doubled his chasing tally with hard-fought success at Uttoxeter (3m, good) two months ago; should also be suited by today's slower ground and helps to give Christian Williams a good hand in this race.

4/1

8

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Ballyrashane

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Made all over C&D (good) in March and doubled his chasing tally with hard-fought success at Uttoxeter (3m, good) two months ago; should also be suited by today's slower ground and helps to give Christian Williams a good hand in this race.

4/1

3rd

4

21st Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

16:55 Plumpton

Ballyrashane

10st 12lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

disputed lead, led clearly just after 1st, headed 2 out (usual 3 out), soon rallied, lost second last (usual 2 out), no extra final 110yds

5/2

Form: 524F22

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Point winner who is 0-10 under rules but he was runner-up in his last two starts over fences, including a close call at Market Rasen (3m, good) on penultimate run; feasibly treated and has each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:37 Uttoxeter

Deadly Missile

10st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Winning pointer who was making it 17th-time lucky under rules when beating Zoffalee over C&D (good) nine days ago; 1lb wrong there so 6lb higher under his penalty, but even so with conditions likely to be similar he has to make the shortlist.

8/1

11

16th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:38 Uttoxeter

Deadly Missile

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

On a good mark and the signs were more encouraging when fourth over 2m7f at Worcester three weeks ago (behind McGregors Charge); seems to be running into form after an absence.

12/1

14

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Deadly Missile

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Sole win remains a dead-heat in a Welsh maiden point in 2022, but second in this race in 2023 and there was some encouragement to take from this month's Warwick fourth on his second outing following a sizeable layoff.

25/1

Form: 6-52P4

Last run: 85 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-17 overall and she was never dangerous over hurdles at Worcester (2m7f, good) in September when last seen; has numerous chase winners in her pedigree but she needs improvement on this switch to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Milanese Rose

10st 2lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

never going well, held up in rear, pushed along briefly 2nd, hampered by faller 3rd, reminders with one circuit to go

8/1

4th

16

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:22 Stratford

Milanese Rose

10st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

20-race maiden who was unable to land a significant blow when well-held fourth here (3m2f, good) last month and needs to find some improvement from somewhere.

20/1

4th

8

21st Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:55 Stratford

Milanese Rose

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Neil Mulholland

19-race maiden; runner-up at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last summer, but has shown little of any significance since.

20/1

Form: /4/4-4

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Now 10lb lower than when scoring over hurdles at Exeter (2m2f, good to firm) in April 2021 but he's had only three runs since and was a remote fourth over fences at Warwick (2m4f, soft) 20 days ago; still unexposed in this sphere but has something to prove back up in trip and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Gallow Ford

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Had wind surgery prior to disappointing effort (over 2m7f) on reappearance 11 days ago; now 0-5 over rules fences but has a good chance if taking well to first-time blinkers and drop in trip; hurdles win came off a much higher mark.

13/2

6

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Gallow Ford

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Very lightly raced since winning over hurdles in spring 2021 and yet to convince as a chaser after four attempts; had wind op during latest layoff; current ability tricky to gauge.

7/1

6th

4

16th Dec 2023

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

11:55 Hereford

Gallow Ford

11st 8lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

Won off a 15lb higher mark over hurdles in April 2021 but seen little action in the meantime and has really struggled in his last two chases; now tongue tied.

12/1

Form: 238-P5

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Runner-up off 1lb higher at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in March but he's struggled in three of his four runs since, including at Sedgefield 11 days ago; cheekpieces are now added on this step back up in trip but overall record stands at 1-31 and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(3)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

14:07 Bath

Voice Of Hope

10st 8lb

J: Mr Billy Marshall

T: Max Young

led, prominent after 1f, lost ground from over 8f out

25/1

7th

12

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Voice Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

His sole success came back in 2021 but he showed more than of late when fifth of 11 in 2m6f Stratford handicap chase three weeks ago; more is required from 5lb out of the handicap however.

33/1

5th

12

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:20 Stratford

Voice Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

held up in rear, some headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out

100/1

Form: 01U-61

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
No model of consistency over hurdles but he won twice in that sphere and made a good start over fences when forging clear at Hereford (3m1f, good) last month; up 7lb but he raised his form to a new level with that convincing win and is a big player if he can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Braganza Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual C&D winner; not at best since returning from one-year absence in November and was particularly disappointing when pulled up over fences last month; needs a revival but is back hurdling on a tempting mark.

9/2

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has won two of five handicaps here, hurdles and fences (C&D; good), but he hasn't yet found his form since back from an absence and now tackles fences for the first time since pulling up twice at the end of 2024; below latest winning mark but questions remain.

7/2

4th

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 13lb

J: Elliott England

T: Henry Daly

Hard to predict but goes well here and he was far from disgraced when 8l fourth of seven over C&D in December; below his last winning mark; more appealing than most.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 232141 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Improved his chase record to 3-11 when scoring at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) 11 days ago and that was his third win since August; up 7lb but he still looks on a workable mark and has form figures of 21232141 under Ben Jones; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

28th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Justshortofabubble

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

Three-time chase winner (including C&D), but he's been well held over fences and hurdles in last three runs; made a mistake at a crucial stage at Southwell last time but he needs to get right back near his best on this return to fences.

8/1

8th

10

11th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell

Justshortofabubble

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

held up in rear

13/2

4th

8

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Justshortofabubble

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

Three chase wins last season, the latest gained at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in November; has 6lb lower hurdle mark but remains without a win in this discipline after 17 attempts and tends to need his first run back from a break (absent since December); others make more appeal.

6/1

Form: 4-F261

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-13 over hurdles but he made it second-time lucky over fences when making all at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 5lb but this step back up in trip is no problem and he won't mind what the weather does; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

West Orchard

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time winner over fences including here (about 2m 3f, good) in 2024; last ran over hurdles when second at Wincanton (about 3m, good to soft) and he returns to this sphere after a couple of errors at Plumpton last month; respected.

7/4

3rd

2

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

West Orchard

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner (2m3f/3m1f) in 2023 and 2024, two of them here, and shaped promisingly on hurdles return in December after a long absence; left behind a below-par run over fences later that month with a short-head defeat at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; back up 2lb but needs respecting with course form.

3/1

2nd

5

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

West Orchard

10st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three out of four chases in October-December 2024 (including C&D, good to soft; handles softer) and was an encouraging second over hurdles here (about 3m) on his comeback from a year's absence; return to fences didn't go well at Taunton later that month but could bounce back following two months off.

7/2

Form: P4P-PP

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Point winner but 0-14 under rules and pulled up (fences/hurdle) in his last three starts; a lot to prove and 5lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

14th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:32 Hereford

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Hard to fancy, being a modest sort whose recent form figures are dominated by the letter P and who is 11lb out of the weights; first-time blinkers need to have major effect.

40/1

7

14th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:32 Hereford

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Hard to fancy, being a modest sort whose recent form figures are dominated by the letter P and who is 11lb out of the weights; first-time blinkers need to have major effect.

40/1

8

21st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Point winner but 0-15 under rules and has pulled up in his last four runs; too much to prove.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.40
Straight Forecast £32.73
Tricast £478.99
Trifecta £536.80

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

West Orchard

SPOTLIGHT:

Justshortofabubble

Telegraph:

Braganza Bay

RP RATINGS:

Safe Destination

The Times:

Gallow Ford

POSTDATA:

Safe Destination

The Star:

West Orchard

Daily Record:

West Orchard

Daily Mirror:

Justshortofabubble

The Guardian:

Braganza Bay

Daily Mail:

Braganza Bay

D Express:

Gallow Ford