February 21 / 16.05 Ludlow

16.05

Soft

Suzuki ATV UK Ludlow Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 7f 174y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Suzuki ATV UK Ludlow Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2332

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Yet to race on soft/heavy; consistent over 2m5f under rules, running well behind a Paul Nicholls-trained rival at Hereford most recently; bred to be suited by this longer distance; leading player on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

16:05 Ludlow

Monks Meadow

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Yet to race on soft/heavy; consistent over 2m5f under rules, running well behind a Paul Nicholls-trained rival at Hereford most recently; bred to be suited by this longer distance; leading player on form.

2/1

2nd

7

29th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

13:30 Hereford

Monks Meadow

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up in Irish maiden point (3m, good) last April and he's finished placed again in his three hurdle runs since October; found improvement when a staying-on third behind an odds-on rival at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) last time and that form puts him firmly in the picture here; shortlisted.

9/2

3rd

6

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Monks Meadow

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up in Irish maiden point (3m, good) and has finished placed at Kempton (2m5f, good) on both rules runs; soundly beaten on those hurdle outings and his limitations are evident but he has each-way claims once more.

14/1

25/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 58

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2m4f point winner; modest form in 2m3f maiden hurdles this winter; new trip needs to prompt improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

1st

1

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Mahland

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear, steady headway and pressed leader before 4th, led when nudged along before 3 out, not fluent last, kept on

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 53

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £110,000 after Irish point win; no match for the first two at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) on latest attempt under rules but may improve for this return to 3m; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Caher Roes Den

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Weakened quickly in closing stages at Market Rasen in January and needs to prove his wellbeing but he posted a good effort when clear third on handicap debut at Wincanton (3m, good) in October and is 1lb lower now; big player if back on song.

7/1

6

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Caher Roes Den

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Weakened quickly in closing stages at Market Rasen in January and needs to prove his wellbeing but he posted a good effort when clear third on handicap debut at Wincanton (3m, good) in October and is 1lb lower now; big player if back on song.

7/1

9th

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

Caher Roes Den

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

prominent early, in touch with leaders 3rd, pressed leader 3 out

9/2

Form: U2

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sole mare in the field; Irish maiden point winner; both rules starts at Exeter, clear second behind an odds-on Paul Nicholls-trained opponent latest (2m5f, soft); one of the main form contenders, returned to 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Annie Express

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Has a patchy profile but she made it 2-6 over fences when justifying favouritism here (2m4f, good) last month; up 6lb but that was a personal best last time and her other chase win came over this C&D; key player.

2/1

1st

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

14:57 Ludlow

Annie Express

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Making stable debut when scoring comfortably over 3m here in January (good to soft) but has to get back on track after three lesser efforts (the latest in a first-time visor).

9/2

4th

9

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Annie Express

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won easily over fences at Ludlow (3m) in January on debut for this yard but nothing since, latterly with cheekpieces back on; now tries a visor; risky enough.

16/1

Form: 32-48U

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slowed dramatically and unseated rider at first flight on latest outing; something to find on earlier form but is bred to do better, being out of a triple hurdles winner for his connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Pearl Island

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Record of 1-14 for Henry Daly, the win coming in a 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in late 2024 (in first-time blinkers that were retained until now); has lost his way but still only a 7yo and he's on a fair mark for this yard debut; may prefer slower ground, however.

20/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:10 Ludlow

Pearl Island

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

6yo who won in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start; however, two lesser runs have followed and he has to raise his game if he's to return to winning ways.

10/1

6th

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Pearl Island

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

disputed lead, reminder after 12th, lost position before 14th, weakened after 4 out

11/2

Form: 3 BF

Last run: 156 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid promise in two runs last year, winning a point (2m4f, soft) in May then close third in Worcester bumper (2m, good) in September; bred to be suited by this new trip; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Touchwoodexpress

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Absent since two below-par runs in November but returned from a break to win five-runner contest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September, and is now back on the same mark; seems best on good ground but once won a point on soft; can't be ruled out.

11/1

4

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:37 Ludlow

Touchwoodexpress

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Achieved more on RPRs for his Newton Abbot 3m2f class 5 win last time (good) than Arctic Angel did for hers, despite bleeding from the nose; up just 2lb and he's hugely unexposed as a handicap hurdler.

2/1

4

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:41 Newton Abbot

Touchwoodexpress

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from break to make winning chase/handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) last autumn; absent since falling on consecutive outings during the winter but still enters calculations on this handicap hurdle debut.

7/2

Form: 4P-

Last run: 321 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent since pulled up in a Hereford maiden hurdle (2m3f) last April, failing to back up his bumper effort; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

16:05 Ludlow

Pippin Took

11st 6lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Absent since pulled up in a Hereford maiden hurdle (2m3f) last April, failing to back up his bumper effort; market can guide.

25/1

4

6th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:25 Hereford

Pippin Took

11st 6lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Too green to do himself justice in a bumper last December but kept on to finish fourth; interesting to note any confidence behind him now tackling hurdles over a longer trip.

10/1

4th

6

30th Dec 2022

Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 4

15:30 Haydock

Pippin Took

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Second foal; dam unraced sister to 2m1f/2m5f chase winner Strawberry Hill, half-sister to bumper winner Bugsy's Girl, from family of Hors La Loi III and Cyborgo; strong yard is 4-22 in bumpers this term.

9/1

Form: 59-P

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No promise in three runs over 2m, latest switched to hurdles; new trip needs to make a huge difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

16:05 Ludlow

Catch The Crumpet

11st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

No promise in three runs over 2m, latest switched to hurdles; new trip needs to make a huge difference.

100/1

0

2

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

12:35 Ffos Las

Catch The Crumpet

11st 4lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

in rear, struggling from 4 out, tailed off

100/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid second, splitting subsequent rules winners, in an Irish point last March; subsequently sold for £115,000; interesting, particularly if the market speaks favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Fortified Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

midfield, prominent 6th, weakened after 3 out

5/1

7th

7

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Fortified Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Staying-on second at 100-1 in maiden at Warwick (2m3f, good) in April on his second start over hurdles; 6-4 favourite when going one better at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in May; it's striking to see that this handicap debut (after nearly six months off) is over so much further and he seems to bring stacks of potential.

5/1

Form: 6

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opened his account at the fourth attempt in Irish points in 2022; well beaten switched to rules at Ffos Las (2m4f) this month but may do better with the outing under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

River Voyage

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Ended last season with two wins over hurdles and he outstayed his rivals to snatch another at Ffos Las (3m, heavy; under Toby McCain-Mitchell) five weeks ago in his fifth handicap chase; back up 3lb but, unraced beyond 3m, looks a strong candidate for long-distance races and therefore may be able to raise his game further.

3/1

1st

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:52 Ffos Las

River Voyage

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Two wins and a second to show from three runs over hurdles during the past 12 months but hasn't looked a natural back over fences this season, jumping poorly last time (3m, good to soft); potentially well treated in this discipline but reservations at the minute.

7/1

1st

2

28th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:10 Ffos Las

River Voyage

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Winning Irish pointer in 2022; missed 2023 and he wasn't in much form between February and May last year, nor when switched to fences in the autumn, but he put up a fighting display when runner-up to a well-treated one at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) recently; back up 3lb but good claims.

6/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.90
Straight Forecast £6.97
Trifecta £80.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Monks Meadow

LAMBOURN:

Annie Express

WEST COUNTRY:

Touchwoodexpress

Telegraph:

Touchwoodexpress

RP RATINGS:

Monks Meadow

TOPSPEED:

Monks Meadow

POSTDATA:

Monks Meadow

The Guardian:

Monks Meadow

Daily Mail:

Monks Meadow

The Sun:

Monks Meadow

The Times:

Annie Express

D Express:

Annie Express

Daily Mirror:

Annie Express

The Star:

Annie Express

Daily Record:

Annie Express