April 02 / 16.00 Ludlow

16.00

Soft

HR.Smith Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
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HR.Smith Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 663

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat-racer who has improved with experience over hurdles; kept on for respectable third in Huntingdon maiden (2m, soft) on last month's stable debut and should have more to offer in handicaps; tongue-tie added; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:17 Chepstow

Balhambar

10st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Did well for new stable in 2024, winning twice, and runner-up in valuable Southwell handicap (2m, good) on New Year's Day; reverts to hurdling after a pipe-opener on the Flat last month; probably needs to squeeze out even more improvement to land this prize.

12/1

7th

6

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:18 Epsom

Balhambar

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Progressive since joining this yard and switched to hurdles, mainly under Paul O'Brien, while his sole Flat run for Harry Derham was a respectable third of 11 at Newbury (1m4f, heavy) last October; market may help on this first start since March but stable's horses don't tend to lack for fitness; should go well.

9/2

2nd

1

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Balhambar

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, not fluent 3rd, headed just before last, weakened run-in

4/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 512313 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-7 for new stable this season, the latter win gained in good style at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in February; gave good account when third (albeit well held in the end) from out of the weights in higher-grade company at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month and can play a major role on this return to Class 5.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 6232 BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer who was placed on the last three of his four hurdling starts; no match for wide-margin winner when second over C&D (soft) on handicap debut in February but was nicely clear of the others; shortlisted.
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

Form: 0003

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Six-time Flat winner; did not emerge from rear division on his first three hurdling starts but ran big race when third on last month's handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy); 2lb lower here and has cheekpieces (worn for last four Flat wins) refitted; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

8th

9

(9)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Dundory

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear, outpaced 3f out

50/1

Form: 0-P647

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
In the mix for a long way before weakening into fourth in Sandown novice (2m, good to soft) in February but took backward step when well beaten on handicap debut later that month; drops back from 2m3f here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Glengolly

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Seemingly aided by new tongue-tie when gaining breakthrough win at Hereford (3m1f, soft) in December, his 13th hurdle run, and has been placed on three of his four starts since; would appeal more on ground slower than good but still enters calculations; swaps usual cheekpieces for visor.

8/1

3rd

4

18th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

14:15 Huntingdon

Glengolly

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

The tongue-tie went on for last four starts, breaking his duck in good style at Hereford (3m2f, soft) on first occasion and creditable runner-up in two of his three starts since; the exception can be forgiven on heavy ground at Ffos Las; the tongue-tie is removed this time and he's not proven on good, but otherwise he has solid each-way claims.

6/1

2nd

2

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:45 Plumpton

Glengolly

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Broke his duck in good style at Hereford (3m2f, soft) in December, fitted with a tongue-tie, and backed that up with another solid effort behind a big improver at Uttoxeter; can be forgiven recent Ffos Las run where the ground went against him and he's worth considering.

7/1

Form: PPP9

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won a point bumper just under a year ago but did not show any promise on her first four hurdling starts (2m-2m5f) and is 3lb wrong for today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

13:37 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Point bumper winner in 2023 but has shown only modest form over hurdles/fences under rules, although latest C&D run was more encouraging; more needed again from out of the weights.

50/1

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Belinda Clarke

Out of form in points this spring and well beaten in 2m4f chase here when back under rules in June; effectively only 4lb lower today; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

5th

9

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Unplaced all nine hurdling starts and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) on chasing debut; back under rules after three very uninspiring points runs this spring and 8lb out of the weights; can't be recommended.

50/1

Form: 044/

Last run: 713 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Remains very unexposed but displayed only minor promise when a big-priced outsider for three C&D maiden/novice hurdles in early 2022 and makes handicap debut after 713-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Fort Nelson

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Unplaced all 11 starts, six times over hurdles; getting back on good ground might aid his cause but he's 11lb out of the weights here and has a lot to prove.

33/1

6th

6

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Fort Nelson

10st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

prominent

50/1

6th

6

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Fort Nelson

10st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

prominent

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £8.60
Trifecta £21.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Balhambar

The Times:

Royal Deeside

RP RATINGS:

Passing Kate

WEST COUNTRY:

Dundory

The Guardian:

Passing Kate

The Star:

Royal Deeside

Daily Record:

Royal Deeside

POSTDATA:

Balhambar

Telegraph:

Balhambar

Daily Mail:

Balhambar

D Express:

Balhambar

Daily Mirror:

Balhambar

The Sun:

Dundory