January 18 / 12.40 Ludlow

12.40

Good To Soft

racingtv.com/freetrial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 171y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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racingtv.com/freetrial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Clear

OUR TIP

Form: 51-353 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won under Elizabeth Gale at Huntingdon last April (2m7f, soft) and returned to form when keeping on from off the pace to be a close third at Wincanton (3m1f, soft); seems to have a preference for testing ground; cheekpieces tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Head And Heart

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Came clear to win a 3m1f soft-ground chase at Warwick in January (2lb lower; first-time cheekpieces) but it's all gone pear shaped in the meantime; perhaps another change of headgear will work the oracle but it's not hard to have doubts.

10/1

4th

4

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Head And Heart

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Came clear to win a 3m1f soft-ground chase at Warwick in January (2lb lower; first-time cheekpieces) but it's all gone pear shaped in the meantime; perhaps another change of headgear will work the oracle but it's not hard to have doubts.

10/1

1

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

Head And Heart

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to complete last two races and her tendency to clout the occasional fence remains a worry but she looked good when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January and is probably still on a workable mark.

11/2

Abandoned

Form: 4P2625 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Almost impossible to predict and was tailed off last time out, but he wasn't far away in two of his three previous runs; couldn't rule out with trip and ground suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

midfield

20/1

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

High-mileage veteran who looked out of sorts on his final two appearances in 2024; too well handicapped to rule out but younger rivals appeal more; blinkers refitted.

20/1

7

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Dindin

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Pipe

On a losing run and in difficulties in three of his last four starts, including behind School For Scandal over C&D in October and at Fakenham 16 days ago; has been wearing headgear but just a tongue-tie today; work cut out.

16/1

Form: 24-452 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Flat winner who won a maiden over hurdles; 0-7 chasing and virtually refused to race two runs back; however, showed his better side when runner-up at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) where he was positively ridden only to concede late on to one ridden patiently; major claims off 2lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:05 Leicester

Natty Night

12st 0lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

walked into the start, in touch with leaders, dropped to last 2nd, mistake 8th, mistake 10th, mistake 12th, weakened omitted 3 out

6/4

5th

3

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Natty Night

11st 11lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

Has stamina to prove today and is not one for maximum faith, having virtually refused to race three outings ago and looked reluctant to line up last time; however, he drew clear on the run-in to open his chasing account at Leicester (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago and today's 4lb higher mark ought to be manageable.

4/1

1st

4

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:35 Leicester

Natty Night

11st 8lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, jumped left 2nd, led after 4th, headed but prominent 6th, lost position 9th, pushed along and rallied before 3 out

100/30

Form: -P1P1P CD BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Form-figures of P1P1P since switched to handicap chases tell their own story, latterly failing to complete at Taunton when Ballinoulart was third; capable on his day but riddled with risks.
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

Form: 2133-3 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 13lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Hurdle/chase winner who should be on a competitive mark but he was beaten knocking on 30l on his return from a long absence and good ground is ideal for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

14:45 Huntingdon

Mackie Dee

10st 8lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

towards rear, in touch with leaders 15th

6/1

14

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Mackie Dee

10st 7lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

13yo who has a poor 2-39 strike-rate under rules and is without a win since June 2022; however, he's finished in the first three on two of his last three starts and holds each-way possibilities once more.

12/1

Form: 3-3700 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Capable chaser off this mark but finds winning difficult at the best of times (3-30) and has trailed in tailed off on last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

20:00 Hereford

Family Pot

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Sheila Lewis

Course regular who's struggled in recent times, coming more than a stone down the weights in the past six months; is hard to recommend on recent efforts running from 9lb out of the handicap.

33/1

10

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

20:00 Hereford

Family Pot

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Sheila Lewis

Course regular who's struggled in recent times, coming more than a stone down the weights in the past six months; is hard to recommend on recent efforts running from 9lb out of the handicap.

33/1

6

14th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:32 Hereford

Family Pot

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sheila Lewis

Well suited by Hereford and defied higher marks twice here in February 2023; inconsistent since but this may prove one of his better days, with Sam Twiston-Davies up for first time; interesting.

7/1

Form: 33-223

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Placed in all five chases and has mixed it with in-form opposition the last twice, with his penultimate-race conqueror going in again at Hereford on Monday; trip/ground fine and should hold every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

4th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Worcester

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-20 under rules and 0-22 in points; well beaten back over hurdles this summer and pulled up returned to fences at Fontwell (2m6f, good) last week; drops in trip but hard to recommend from out of the weights.

33/1

7

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

17:50 Fontwell

Ballinoulart

10st 3lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and 0-19 under rules; not favoured by the weights when well beaten in two novice hurdles this summer and has more realistic chance to get competitive in this race but still makes only limited appeal.

25/1

5th

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Ballinoulart

11st 0lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and now 0-18 under rules (0-14 over fences) after finishing a tailed-off runner-up in a novice hurdle at Newton Abbot.

100/1

Form: 3-62P4

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Both wins came in handicap chases in late 2020 on soft and heavy ground; fair run here last time over 2m4f on soft but he's inconsistent and a combination of this longer trip on good to soft doesn't look ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Est Illic

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won three-runner point in April but struggled when back in a handicap chase three weeks ago, and this veteran needs to respond very positively to a change of headgear (usually wears cheekpieces).

33/1

10th

10

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Worcester

Est Illic

10st 7lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Point winner in April but his rules form is modest; although placed under Jess Stewart on both recent runs in hunter chases, he's been well held; needs to find plenty more back in handicap company.

100/1

3rd

2

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Est Illic

12st 0lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Recent point winner but a modest performer under rules these days and his Ludlow third was remote.

40/1

Form: P-PP3P

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo but, given the balance of his form, the Lingfield third two runs ago (2m7f, good to soft) is looking a tad dubious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 4

14:12 Lingfield

Galway Mahler

11st 5lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

led but pestered, headed but prominent 9th, slightly hampered and lost position 13th, weakened quickly 4 out, soon pulled up

12/1

8

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 4

14:12 Lingfield

Galway Mahler

11st 5lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Pulled up at Southwell (3m, heavy) in April when last seen but went there on a four-timer (good to soft-heavy, including C&D); no surprise if he rediscovers his progressive ways following a break; watch the market.

12/1

4

4th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:05 Southwell

Galway Mahler

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Karen Jewell

led

7/4

Form: -P605P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Not as far out of the weights as here last time when pulled up and well behind Est Illic; however, that was another underwhelming effort from this 13-race maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Warwick

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Sheila Lewis

0-20 under rules; not as far out of the weights today as is sometimes the case but still makes only limited appeal in first-time blinkers.

25/1

13

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Sheila Lewis

19-race maiden; modest form in 12 chase starts, although had a stiff task from a long way out of the weights last time; out of the handicap again but not entirely ruled out on the pick of past form.

16/1

10th

10

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Sheila Lewis

18-race maiden who brings no form claims from so far out of the weights.

66/1

Form: P4-P75

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Hasn't achieved much in ten starts since winning at Bangor more than two years ago; not so far out of the weights as last time but he's very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Royal Act

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

pressed leader, led after 5th, headed 8th, hit 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out

100/1

11

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Royal Act

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled to get competitive off lowly marks in handicap chases last season and was again well beaten in a recent point; cheekpieces refitted.

100/1

Form: 4P-PPP

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Point winner but 0-13 as a chaser and completing has become a challenge in itself.
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

Verdict

Not many of these are easy to predict and NATTY NIGHT has had his moments, but he didn’t do a lot wrong when giving it a good go from the front at Hereford two weeks ago. The one who does score highly on consistency is Ballinoulart who has been running well against in-form oppositition. Head And Heart is best of the rest.[Alistair Jones]