January 18 / 13.13 Ludlow

13.13

Good To Soft

Heath Farm Meats Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 5f 55y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Heath Farm Meats Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Clear

OUR TIP

Form: O-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner who ran out after the second flight on his rules debut at Ascot in November, and returned from an absence with a fair third of 14 at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; open to improvement; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Broughshane

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Left the O'Neills for £23,000 and made a winning start for this yard at Market Rasen in first-time blinkers (2m4f, good); didn't have a lot in hand but only raised 3lb.

7/2

5

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Broughshane

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Surged in the weights for wins at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) and Southwell (2m4f, good) last autumn; below par on his last two starts for the O'Neills but he's since joined a bang-in-form stable (for £23,000) and has to be of interest in first-time blinkers after a break.

11/2

5th

5

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Broughshane

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Went up 19lb for wins at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) and Southwell (2m4f, good) last year; beaten at odds-on next time but subsequently fair third on chase debut; back over hurdles after pulling up last time; others look better handicapped.

7/1

Form:

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won low-grade 2m AW handicap for Sir Mark Prescott in September 2022; returned from long absence towards end of last year and tailed off on both starts for this yard, most recently his hurdle debut; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Captain Howse

10st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Sole win was an AW Flat race in 2022; easily his best show in eight appearances over hurdles was on latest start when second of six in handicap at Fontwell (near 2m6f, good) in June, giving some encouragement for this trip but he's now 4lb out of the handicap.

10/1

6

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

20:50 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Arguably ran a bit better than eventual 24l defeat suggests when sixth here (3m2f, good; Trevor's Lad close second) last month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but, overall, his hurdling record is poor.

25/1

8

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Struggled over hurdles in the 2023-24 season and, following a layoff, was pulled up at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month; might have needed that outing and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but is not easily recommended from 8lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 6-P

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Things may click at some point but he was soundly beaten on his debut in Exeter bumper (2m, good) last February and pulled up at 250-1 in a maiden hurdle there (2m2f, heavy) on New Year's Day; transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:55 Chepstow

Cool View

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

Made low-key bumper debut at Exeter last February and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when 250-1 for recent hurdle debut.

100/1

0

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:10 Exeter

Cool View

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Tom George

First foal from a point winner; beaten about 27l after racing too freely in good-ground Exeter bumper last February; not easily recommended.

33/1

Form: 0-75

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on all three starts but has had wind op since latest and his dam was a French hurdle winner; may be able to take a step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

9th

9

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Grand Escaparde

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Hasn't shown much in a bumper and three hurdles at up to 2m5f; cheekpieces now added to tongue-tie for chase debut; in good hands and on a workable mark but need to see more from him.

12/1

Form: 6P9

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in Irish maiden point in October but tailed off/pulled up on first three rules starts and needs to be a different proposition here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

21:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Johns Dream

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Two modest runs since career-best second in Hereford handicap in March (3m1f, good to soft); cheekpieces now tried.

16/1

7th

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:13 Ludlow

Johns Dream

10st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Beaten a neck by Fantomas when second of 16 on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in March; flopped when co-favourite off this 5lb higher mark at Stratford three weeks ago, when jockey reported that he hung right-handed, so reverting to this right-handed track may help.

8/1

Form: 4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed some ability in British points and it was a warm novice hurdle at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in which he was a 21l fourth of six on last month's rules debut; trainer won this last year; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Just In A Bit

11st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Low-mileage maiden who's been second or third in handicaps on all three chase outings, absent 590 days after first of those; rallied strongly when third of seven at Leicester (2m7f, soft) one month ago, which suggests that this step back up in trip is very much in order; one to consider.

7/2

3rd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:50 Leicester

Just In A Bit

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Low-mileage maiden who ran well on chase debut in June 2024 (penultimate start) and may be capable of progress with Hereford reappearance under his belt; one to consider.

3/1

Abandoned

Form: 8/04-F

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in bumpers but he needs to improve on that form if he's to feature today, and he was a first-flight faller on his hurdle debut here in October; has changed stables since (ex-Samuel Drinkwater).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

My Monty

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: James Evans

Came good over hurdles when trouncing three rivals here (2m7f, soft) in May and he ran to a similar level when second over same C&D the following month; now drops back in trip but he travelled smoothly on his penultimate run and still has scope for further progress; dangerous on his return.

10/1

3rd

8

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

My Monty

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: James Evans

held up in rear, headway after 6th, challenging when pecked on landing 3 out, soon went second, kept on when lost second run-in

10/1

2nd

3

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:15 Uttoxeter

My Monty

11st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: James Evans

Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, easily drawing clear to win small-field C&D (soft) race by 33l three weeks ago; it's hard to gauge what that form is worth but the forecast rain will suit him.

3/1

Form: P65

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Irish maiden points and he's improved with each of his three hurdle runs, most recently close fifth of 14 at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out

10/1

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out, weakened 2 out

10/1

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

11st 6lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 5th

10/1

Form: 4-81

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon previous promise to win Market Rasen bumper (2m, good to soft) in first-time hood (retained) in November; Jonjo O'Neill Jr now rides stablemate Broughshane but he's bred to be suited by this longer trip and brings potential to his hurdle debut; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Stay If U Want To

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Improving sort beat Rocheval over 2m6f at Kelso last time; ground-versatile and should go well if coping with this shorter trip (has won at 2m); yard has done well at this meeting over the years.

8/1

11th

10

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Stay If U Want To

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Improving sort beat Rocheval over 2m6f at Kelso last time; ground-versatile and should go well if coping with this shorter trip (has won at 2m); yard has done well at this meeting over the years.

8/1

1st

11

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Stay If U Want To

11st 4lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

led

4/1

Verdict

Point winner BROUGHSHANE made an encouraging return from an absence at Chepstow last month and there can be optimism he has plenty more to offer. He earns the vote ahead of stablemate Stay If U Want To, who won a bumper at Market Rasen last time and is bred to be suited by the step up in trip. Jonjo O’Neill Jr partnered both last time out but is on Broughshane today. Just In A Bit and Outside Adesa could also run well.[Ben Hutton]