February 21 / 14.55 Ludlow

14.55

Soft

Michael Lumsden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Michael Lumsden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 23152 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ran in a Listed race (on heavy) after winning a juvenile hurdle at Catterick (good to soft) and it was another good run behind an unexposed one last time; tackles his first handicap as a jumper and couldn't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

Latin Verse

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Olly Murphy

Has patchy profile but he's feasibly treated on best form and was disputing second when he fell at the last at Taunton (2m, soft) in final run last season; returns after almost a year off but conditions are no problem and he needs a close look on first run for Olly Murphy.

7/2

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 623

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Flat maiden; beaten in three hurdle races won by useful horses, latterly behind the highly regarded Givemefive; goes on soft and has to rate an interesting handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Royal Deeside

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham and nearly won again at Kelso ten days ago when headed on the run-in; same mark.

5/2

2nd

6

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Royal Deeside

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham last year, latest in August; close third over same C&D last time and worth considering.

7/2

3rd

4

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Royal Deeside

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner in May and August (good) last year; has been in good form both over fences and on the Flat (second over 2m5f at Pontefract 11 days ago) on last four starts; conditions suit and he's a contender.

13/2

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 10-357 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles last season; ran moderately last time but not disgraced in two handicaps previously; perhaps a better horse on goodish ground, so could do with conditions drying out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Despereaux

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner who ended last year with a brave success at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft); well held there in both runs this spring but he got involved in a battle up front last time; a player if he can get back near his best.

13/2

5th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jane Williams

Steadily worked his way back to form this season, culminating in a narrow win over C&D (good to soft; 5lb higher today) in December under 7lb claimer; reverted to a lesser show 19 days ago but perhaps he needed that run after more than three months off.

3/1

5th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.

2/1

Form: 3613-P CD

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Just two runs since winning off 4lb lower here last March (2m, good; probably fine on soft) and the latest was over fences (chase debut); that leaves him with a bit to prove on the wellbeing front but hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Returned to form with creditable second at Southwell (2m4f) last time but looks unlikely to go one better; the 10yo faces a difficult task against several younger rivals who are open to further improvement.

14/1

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Thankyourluckystar

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

All wins have been on good ground, latest at Worcester in May (2m7f); below-par two runs since and bit to prove at present.

11/1

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Alastair Ralph

Burst back to life with 15l win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May; absent since and up 11lb, which puts him on clear career-high mark at the age of nine; also has a slight query on this forecast soft ground but Harry Skelton retains the ride; should be in the mix if ready to go.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 252438 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Returns to a better trip having been stretched by 2m4f last time and he was beaten only 4l the run before; could have some say but he finds winning difficult (3-59).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

Form: 00-564

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ordinary bumper form and a similar story in his three novice hurdles (soft to good); handicaps could see him in a better light but it would boost interest in him if there was some market optimism.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:15 Newton Abbot

Gower Prince

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Back to near best on first start for this stable when runner-up at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) with the hood back on; remains well treated on past form after 3lb rise and holds strong claims if able to repeat the effort.

2/1

2nd

2

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:58 Market Rasen

Gower Prince

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since pulled up over hurdles for Matt Sheppard last summer (wore cheekpieces) but was unlucky not to win a chase for him at Chepstow (2m, good) just under a year ago, and he's now 5lb below that mark; will need to be taken very seriously if strong in the betting before this stable debut; usual hood refitted.

6/1

2

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Gower Prince

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

In front when falling at the last over fences at Chepstow (2m, good) in April, but was pulled up in his next two starts and well beaten back over hurdles at Bangor (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; cheekpieces given a go but has plenty to prove.

40/1

Form: 424

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Questionable what he achieved when a well-held second behind a useful Flat recruit at Bangor (2m, soft) and he was beaten further at Hereford (2m3f) latest; makes handicap debut after quite a break and others are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Black Occ

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Maiden who has inconsistent chase form (P2P3) but looks one of the likelier players provided he backs up latest effort, namely creditable third at Warwick (3m); runs off the same mark.

11/4

3rd

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Black Occ

11st 4lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Sheila Lewis

Pulled up in two of three chase starts, the latest at Bangor after some guessy jumps; had run well when runner-up at Hereford (2m5f, good) in March, however, and should do better at some stage; tongue tied this time.

10/1

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Black Occ

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Placed effort over hurdles (3m1f) divides his two chase runs and was a 3l runner-up at Hereford last time (2m5f, good); more appealing than a good many.

7/1

Form: 45-750

Last run: 93 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Handicap debutant from a leading stable and it was always going to be tough in his latest novice won by the high-class Gidleigh Park; market informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

16

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Mr Hope Street

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Four-time hurdles winner, including in one of only two attempts at 3m; campaigned over 2m4f/2m5f switched to fences this term, best effort when third behind very notable rivals in graduation chase at Haydock; well handicapped on that bare form and could be open to any amount of improvement back up in distance; a typically interesting runner of his type for the Skeltons.

5/2

4th

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Mr Hope Street

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fairly useful hurdler who stepped up on his Carlisle chase debut sixth when beaten just over 6l into third behind The Jukebox Man and Iroko in a Haydock graduation event over an extended 2m5f (good to soft) in November; while his proximity to that high-class pair almost certainly shouldn't be taken at face value he could still be well treated back in a handicap off 131.

2/1

6th

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

12:32 Carlisle

Mr Hope Street

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made very good progress over hurdles last season (three wins); signed off with creditable third in competitive Cheltenham handicap (3m, good) in April and has possibilities if he takes well to chasing at first attempt.

5/1

Form: B7-543

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
18-race maiden who is 0-13 over hurdles; ran okay in a good Hereford maiden in November (2m, good) and has handicap experience, but all his best form is on good or faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won the 2m6f handicap on this card 12 months ago and returned to form with a 2l success over that same trip on Monday (following a wind operation); did that comfortably and must have every chance under a penalty.

9/4

1st

5

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won this race in 2025 (good ground) and followed up over C&D (good to soft) two days later; suffered dip in form afterwards but shaped quite well before weakening into sixth in competitive series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March and returns to this track on an attractive mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); good chance.

7/2

6th

12

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Evenwood Sonofagun

10st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won over C&D (good to soft) last February and add two wins at Cartmel in May; he's 6lb below his last winning mark but has failed to shine on his three outings since November, over C&D most recently.

50/1

Form: 2554P5 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Not as good as he was when with Nicky Henderson and, although still a winner this season (2m4f, soft) in September, his recent efforts have been thoroughly underwhelming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

10th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Heross Du Seuil

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: -84110 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Had his first blip in handicaps when well below his best at Doncaster last time; won nicely enough the time before at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) to believe this 6lb higher mark should be manageable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Tended to hang when failing favourite backers off this mark here (2m5f) last month but that was another solid enough run; should be heavily involved.

5/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Resurgent 8yo who kept on well to score at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip; major player.

11/4

1st

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Little Pi

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Has proved resurgent with a pair of second-place finishes and the latest effort, over C&D, is a solid piece of form; back up 5lb but has won off this mark; respected.

6/4

Non-runners

Thatza Dazzler

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.30
Straight Forecast £21.16
Tricast £118.01
Trifecta £142.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Royal Deeside

WEST COUNTRY:

Latin Verse

TOPSPEED:

Thankyourluckystar

Daily Mail:

Little Pi

D Express:

Gower Prince

Telegraph:

Latin Verse

Daily Mirror:

Latin Verse

Daily Record:

Latin Verse

RP RATINGS:

Royal Deeside

POSTDATA:

Royal Deeside

The Times:

Royal Deeside

The Sun:

Royal Deeside

The Star:

Royal Deeside

The Guardian:

Thankyourluckystar