December 20 / 14.25 Ludlow

14.25

Good To Soft

Shuker Build EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Series Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Shuker Build EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Series Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.60
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 4- BF

Last run: 325 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for big money after making all to win by 10l on Irish point debut in October 2021 but managed only fourth of ten when favourite for belated rules debut in Southwell bumper in January and has been off for another ten months since; now with new stable (was with Dan Skelton); may yet have a good future but is not the most obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Smiling Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, soon went fourth, weakened run-in

10/1

4th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Smiling Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, soon went fourth, weakened run-in

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 6-2 BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easy Irish point winner who was very respectable sixth in Ascot bumper on rules debut in February and chased home Lilting Verse over C&D (good to soft) when switched to hurdling last month; 7lb better off with her old rival today and still has significant potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

15:10 Newbury

Between Waters

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Easy Irish point winner; runner-up in a pair of 2m5f hurdles for mares at Ludlow and there's no doubt some improvement lurking now raised in distance for her handicap debut; interesting to see the level of confidence behind her.

7/2

2nd

5

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:25 Ludlow

Between Waters

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Easy Irish point winner who was very respectable sixth in Ascot bumper on rules debut in February and chased home Lilting Verse over C&D (good to soft) when switched to hurdling last month; 7lb better off with her old rival today and still has significant potential.

3/1

2nd

1

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:00 Ludlow

Between Waters

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Irish point winner in February 2022; absent for a year before finishing sixth in an Ascot bumper (favourite); still retains potential and could be a threat to all now tackling hurdles for the first time.

2/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 10-U2 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; came to grief at first flight on seasonal/hurdle debut in October but her clear second at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last month was a good effort and she features prominently in calculations here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:01 Taunton

Baby Sage

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Bumper/hurdle winner; reportedly bled from the nose when pulled up on chase debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) in November but was a well-held fifth on her return visit the following month; still early days in this sphere but she needs a transformation with cheekpieces added.

14/1

6th

3

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 3

16:15 Ludlow

Baby Sage

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Five starts over hurdles, taking her form to another level when she won 11-race at Exeter (extended 2m5f, soft) two months ago in her second handicap; carried her head awkwardly before run-in and has gone up 6lb but she may well have more to give.

3/1

Form: 3417-1 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper winner who came good over hurdles at second attempt, keeping on strongly to beat Between Waters by 6l over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) six weeks ago; should have a lot more to offer and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hasn't been at her best of late (behind Smurfette latest) but she has the form to feature off this mark and won't mind getting back on drier ground; stays this far; possible.

4/1

4th

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Solid record off current mark comprises a success at Huntingdon in 2024 and second-place finishes in this race last year and at Ffos Las in October; not ruled out.

13/2

7th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Gave good account when second on seasonal debut at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and remains on a workable mark but her latest run was disappointing and she'd arguably appeal more on better ground than is forecast.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 112242

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Looks exposed after ten hurdling starts but won twice at around 2m in early part of this season and gave very good account when clear second to recent Grade 2 winner Shanagh Bob at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last month; likely to make her presence felt here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

17:05 Market Rasen

All The Glory

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has rather mixed record over fences this season but belied 40-1 odds when close third in valuable Windsor handicap (2m4f, soft) won by Bluey in January and last month's Cheltenham Festival defeat is easily excused; on good mark if on her mettle.

9/1

7th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

All The Glory

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Five-time hurdle winner who has shown some promise over fences this season but she was only fourth of six in a Listed mares' chase at Huntingdon last month and has bundles to find in today's company.

100/1

4th

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:00 Huntingdon

All The Glory

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Five wins over hurdles; 0-4 since switched to fences but ran well off a handy mark in Windsor handicap (2m4f, soft) most recently; however, at the weights she has about a stone to find with the pick on ratings in this field.

10/1

Form: 87-

Last run: 264 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Just behind Between Waters when respectable eighth in Ascot bumper in February but her run at Wetherby in March was a backward step and this hurdling debut comes after a 264-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 97y

Class 4

15:50 Ascot

Spring Gale

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Unlikely that she had to improve to win a 2m3f Chepstow maiden (good) under Harry Cobden in April; brings potential into handicaps, especially now raised in distance.

9/2

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 97y

Class 4

15:50 Ascot

Spring Gale

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Unlikely that she had to improve to win a 2m3f Chepstow maiden (good) under Harry Cobden in April; brings potential into handicaps, especially now raised in distance.

9/2

1st

16

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:39 Chepstow

Spring Gale

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Consistent efforts since having wind surgery, most recently third in Hereford handicap (2m5f) despite lacking fluency; respected on ratings and the booking of Harry Cobden is a bonus.

11/4

8/1

Form: 414-3

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Southwell bumper in the spring and made good start to hurdling career when third (just behind Baby Sage) at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last month; no surprise if she makes the necessary progress here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 12y

Class 5

17:05 Taunton

Stuti

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Had some hiccups since bumper win, notably when pulled up in both handicaps this winter, over hurdles (2m4f, good) and on chase debut (3m, good to soft); this first 2m run over jumps needs to prompt a big turnaround.

5/1

Form: 4-249

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in good-ground Bangor bumper in the spring but soundly beaten on both hurdling starts last month (2m5f/2m3f) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Warwick

Emma Hamilton

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Form figures of 131 since wearing a visor, the wins at Ludlow (3m, good) and Uttoxeter (2m6f, soft); may progress further in the retained headgear, provided she copes with another drop back in trip; shortlisted.

7/2

10th

9

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Warwick

Emma Hamilton

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Form figures of 131 since wearing a visor, the wins at Ludlow (3m, good) and Uttoxeter (2m6f, soft); may progress further in the retained headgear, provided she copes with another drop back in trip; shortlisted.

7/2

1st

14

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Emma Hamilton

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

pressed leaders, raced in second 3rd, pressed leader 7th

9/1

Form: 85-0

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bettered inauspicious debut when fifth of 14 in Southwell bumper in April (first-time tongue-tie) and was not beaten far on last month's hurdling debut (2m4f; had wind op soon afterwards) but others in this field have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

14:40 Leicester

Cotoneaster

11st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Ryan Potter

took keen hold, led, hit 3rd, joined 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened

14/1

8th

2

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

14:40 Leicester

Cotoneaster

11st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Ryan Potter

took keen hold, led, hit 3rd, joined 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened

14/1

10

29th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:00 Chepstow

Cotoneaster

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ryan Potter

Belied 50-1 odds when second to dual subsequent winner on stable/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in July and had excuse when pulled up last month (irregular heartbeat); can make presence felt if all is well here.

9/1

Form: 1-P

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to top-class chaser Presenting Percy; drew nicely clear to win good-ground Bangor bumper on debut in April but ran no race when switched to hurdling last month and needs to bounce back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

20:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Mrs Tabitha

10st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made quite promising start to chase career in spring but now reverts to hurdling after lesser effort last month; all recent form is over 3m but she can cope with today's drop back in trip and her current mark is workable.

6/1

5th

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Mrs Tabitha

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper/hurdle winner who was a 10l second on chase debut at Bangor (3m, good) in April and produced another fair run when third behind two improving rivals there (3m, good) last time; might not be far away.

7/1

5th

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Mrs Tabitha

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper/hurdle winner who was a 10l second on chase debut at Bangor (3m, good) in April and produced another fair run when third behind two improving rivals there (3m, good) last time; might not be far away.

7/1

Form: 20

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second on bumper debut at Worcester (good) in May, form that has worked out quite well, but returned with a lesser effort at Warwick last month and it's hard to know what to expect from her on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

13th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Marmalade Time

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Has won a novice but handicap form has been very forgettable; reservations despite her falling mark.

14/1

7th

9

13th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Marmalade Time

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Has won a novice but handicap form has been very forgettable; reservations despite her falling mark.

14/1

1

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:45 Wetherby

Marmalade Time

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won a novice hurdle at Doncaster last March but has struggled to get competitive in handicaps since (five attempts); needs to raise her game.

16/1

Form: 77

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at huge odds in 2m3f hurdle races at Hereford on first two starts under rules, the latter on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:25 Stratford

All Under Control

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ryan Potter

Ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when well beaten at Cartmel (2m6f) ten weeks ago but was runner-up on her two previous outings (both 3m2f, good; once here) and Sean Bowen is booked today.

9/2

10th

8

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

15:08 Cartmel

All Under Control

10st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Effective on tight left-handed tracks having finished second at Stratford and Newton Abbot the last twice, not beaten far either time; those were over 3m2f but she's fine over this far.

5/1

7

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

All Under Control

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

2m5f hurdle winner (soft) last December, when with Robert Walford; form then tailed off; back in better form for this trainer last month, equalling her best RPR when a close second over C&D (good); now needs to back that up and she's a player if able to do so.

7/2

Form: 0-80

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled when 300-1 for last month's hurdle debut at Plumpton; moves up from 2m and has hood fitted here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:25 Ludlow

Pepite De Amour

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Paul Webber

Struggled when 300-1 for last month's hurdle debut at Plumpton; moves up from 2m and has hood fitted here.

100/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

13:07 Plumpton

Pepite De Amour

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Paul Webber

Finished in rear and was beaten 22l at big prices in both her bumpers in the spring; half-sister to three hurdle winners but she needs major improvement on her switch to this sphere.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.50
Straight Forecast £30.68
Trifecta £159.30

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Between Waters

SPOTLIGHT:

Lilting Verse

RP RATINGS:

All The Glory

The Star:

Baby Sage

Telegraph:

Between Waters

The Guardian:

Between Waters

D Express:

Between Waters

Daily Mirror:

Between Waters

The Sun:

Between Waters

Daily Record:

Between Waters

The Times:

Lilting Verse

Daily Mail:

Lilting Verse

POSTDATA:

All The Glory

WEST COUNTRY:

All The Glory