May 10 / 15.15 Market Rasen

15.15

Good

Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 7f 16y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 51224-

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Wins have been at 2m1f (good) and 2m4f (good to soft); unraced beyond the latter distance but he's running well and a strong traveller; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Lihyan

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two wins last season, the first a four-runner Huntingdon handicap in May (3m1f, good), the second a six-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; far from disgraced in a competitive race at Aintree last time and not without a chance despite career-high mark.

13/2

7th

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Lihyan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last ten starts by William Maggs; seventh hurdle win when seeing off five rivals at Newbury (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago but even a 2lb nudge seems likely to stop him in this much more competitive scenario.

25/1

1st

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lihyan

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last nine starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft ground; six-time winner, most recently last May; good placed efforts at about 3m four times in a row in October-December, before he failed to show in a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh (10-1) nearly seven weeks ago; best form this term was over C&D, so he's not entirely ruled out.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: P6631- D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
After failing to take to chasing she's done well back over hurdles, with her third at Huntingdon working out well and then finishing strongly to collect narrowly at Ludlow (3m, good; 5lb lower); good ground is the key to her and definite chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Porter In The Park

12st 1lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) in March under regular rider Cameron Johnstone-Baker and she's firmly in the picture on that form but two lesser performances have followed and she needs something extra.

7/1

3rd

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Porter In The Park

11st 11lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Found a warm Haydock class 2 stayers' handicap a step too far last month (22l last of nine), breaking a run of place finishes dating back to the autumn; races off her last winning mark back down in class.

10/1

9th

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Porter In The Park

10st 8lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Never better than when placed under Cameron Johnstone-Baker at Ascot (2m7f), Kempton (3m, again on good) and Warwick (3m2f, good to soft; behind Super Survivor) on last three outings; a bit extra is needed to win this warm race.

9/1

9/2

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 1PP22- CD BF

Last run: 136 days

W: 12st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Had won on the Flat the previous month when winning this 12 months ago by a neck off 2lb lower; does go well fresh and was running well at the backend of last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Giovanni Change

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Six-time course winner; not the force of old and has become inconsistent but looked in good nick when scoring at Wetherby (3m, good) in March, and last month's C&D third was perfectly respectable.

5/1

3rd

6

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Giovanni Change

11st 4lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Mark Walford

Inconsistent in recent years and no longer the force of old but kept on well to score at Wetherby (3m, good) last month, and this six-time course winner is sure to be suited by the return to this track.

2/1

1st

2

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:50 Wetherby

Giovanni Change

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Veteran who was a close second in this contest last year but is by no means certain to go one better, having gained all six jumps wins at Market Rasen; inconsistent results since last success.

10/1

Form: 41P23- D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Three wins at about 2m7f and did well to finish third at Plumpton last month after her rider lost the irons late on; thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

18:40 Uttoxeter

For Gina

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Won over C&D in 2023 and is well handicapped on some of last year's form; took step back in right direction when third of five at Fakenham (2m7f, good) in April but her run at Southwell a fortnight later was disappointing and she takes on a couple of in-form mares here.

10/1

5th

9

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

For Gina

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Not firing on all cylinders since returning in the autumn from a break but took step back in right direction when close third of five at Fakenham (2m7f, good) last month and remains well handicapped on last spring's form.

6/1

9

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

For Gina

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Not firing on all cylinders since returning in the autumn from a break but took step back in right direction when close third of five at Fakenham (2m7f, good) last month and remains well handicapped on last spring's form.

6/1

Form: 32212- BF

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won easily on the step up to 3m1f on soft at Catterick and the race may have came too soon when beaten back there under a penalty; effective on good ground and needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Burrows Hall

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made all at Uttoxeter (2m4f), Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) and Doncaster (3m, good) on last three outings, with a last-flight mistake not helping his margin of victory last time; up another 5lb but he's on a roll.

100/30

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Burrows Hall

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made all at Uttoxeter (2m4f), Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) and Doncaster (3m, good) on last three outings, with a last-flight mistake not helping his margin of victory last time; up another 5lb but he's on a roll.

100/30

1st

5

14th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Burrows Hall

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

led, faced challenge from 7th, shaken up after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in

7/4

Form: 2185- C

Last run: 105 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m4f maiden for mares here in November and ran in a Listed race next time, in which she was well held (again the case at Sedgefield); absent since January but may well have more to offer in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Southern Babylon

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a 2m4f maiden for mares here in November and ran in a Listed race next time, in which she was well held (again the case at Sedgefield); absent since January but may well have more to offer in handicaps.

10/1

6th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Southern Babylon

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a 2m4f maiden for mares here in November and ran in a Listed race next time, in which she was well held (again the case at Sedgefield); absent since January but may well have more to offer in handicaps.

10/1

5th

3

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:00 Sedgefield

Southern Babylon

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ruth Jefferson

Runner-up on hurdle debut here (2m1f, soft) in October then went one better at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft); well beaten in Listed race at Haydock last month (behind Getaway Theatre) but the heavy ground may have been too much and she could bounce back with a big performance today.

5/1

Form: /5311-

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Legionar

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise.

5/2

3

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Legionar

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise.

5/2

1st

2

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:42 Hereford

Legionar

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harriet Dickin

led narrowly, headed after 2 out, rallied and led again last, ridden out

4/1

Form: P693P-

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
This is easier than a strong handicap at Aintree last time but didn't head to that in much form and he's not as good as he was.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Carlisle

Storm Nelson

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

towards rear

16/1

Form: 68976- C

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Disappointing that he didn't run better when dropped in grade at Ludlow (3m, good) as he's got a good record in Class 4s; that casts some doubts about him at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Shantou Express

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-time hurdle winner; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when very respectable third at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) this month but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

12/1

3rd

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:48 Stratford

Shantou Express

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

5-32 over hurdles (2m-3m2f), including on good to firm; first run back from a break in April was encouraging but he's gone backwards since and has to be forgiven a poor effort latest; on a fair mark if first-time cheekpieces help.

14/1

7th

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Shantou Express

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.

12/1

Non-runners

Imperial Merlin

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £57.60
Straight Forecast £51.40
Tricast £646.84
Trifecta £747.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Porter In The Park

WEST COUNTRY:

Legionar

POSTDATA:

For Gina

Daily Mail:

Giovanni Change

TOPSPEED:

Shantou Express

RP RATINGS:

Porter In The Park

D Express:

Porter In The Park

The Star:

Porter In The Park

Daily Mirror:

For Gina

The Times:

Legionar

Telegraph:

Legionar

The Guardian:

Legionar

Daily Record:

Legionar