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

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

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

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

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Est Illic

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Won a small-field point recently but this veteran is a modest performer under rules these days and was pulled up in two handicaps (including over C&D) in February; opposable back in this sphere.

14/1

8

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Est Illic

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who has not shown a great deal (three runs) since returning in December from a long absence; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

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]