October 09 / 15.35 Ludlow

15.35

Good

Butcher Woods Ltd Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 4f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
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Butcher Woods Ltd Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: -53213

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner who opened chasing account at second attempt, with clearcut success at Worcester (2m, good) in August; not quite in same form when well-held third there last month but seems versatile regarding ground and remains very much of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Isabella Bee

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three wins over hurdles; won a 2m handicap chase quite well here last August but beaten 17l on either side of her fall at Ludlow (2m4f), where she was in contention four out; might be better for a break and hard to dismiss.

11/2

3rd

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

13:53 Uttoxeter

Isabella Bee

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed 3 out, lost ground and hampered 2 out, weakened approaching last

3/1

3rd

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

13:53 Uttoxeter

Isabella Bee

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed after 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out

3/1

Form: 35-446 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on some of last season's hurdling form but his three chasing attempts this term have been unconvincing, and he's a risky option until proving he can find some fluency over fences; effective on good and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Itso Fury

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield, headway after 8th, prominent 2 out, weakened approaching last

11/1

8th

6

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Itso Fury

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ran well in two of his four handicap hurdles last term; has contested five chases since June, getting the hang of it the last twice and winning at Wetherby (3m, good) latest; 9lb higher on this return to hurdles but one to consider.

11/1

1st

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Itso Fury

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well handicapped on last season's hurdling form; well beaten on first three chase starts and there's a slight doubt about his stamina today, but he took a big step in the right direction when going close at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last time and could play a leading role if seeing out the trip.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5924-U D

Last run: 155 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
2-13 over hurdles; not seen since early mishap at Hereford in May but his fourth off this mark at Taunton (2m3f, soft; also suited by good) in January was a good effort and he's an interesting candidate for chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Just Loose Change

12st 2lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Darren McAlinden

Course hurdles winner in April 2023 and he won a handicap chase at Huntingdon in November 2024; mishaps have been a feature across his last three starts and he's down the pecking order today.

25/1

4th

5

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

14:20 Stratford

Just Loose Change

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

soon prominent, not fluent 6th

20/1

5th

8

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Just Loose Change

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nicky Martin

Won at Huntingdon in November on his second chase start, but well-beaten second of three at Catterick next time and pulled up at Hereford most recently; first-time cheekpieces need to prompt a revival.

25/1

Form: 332224

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Began rules career with two hurdle wins in January and has largely been consistent since switched to handicap chases this season; needs to put last month's below-par run behind him but seems versatile regarding trip/ground and probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

The Gypsy Davey

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Dual chase winner from 20 attempts over fences; returned to form when second to It's A Breeze here last week where he wasn't unlucky despite some late interference; should run well with a repeat, but can be inconsistent.

4/1

2nd

3

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:12 Newton Abbot

The Gypsy Davey

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Dual chase winner who has been more miss than hit since scoring in May last year; recent hurdle run in a first-time visor (retained) offered little encouragement, but he returns to fences off a handy mark; needs to rediscover his spark.

13/2

5th

7

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:18 Stratford

The Gypsy Davey

10st 13lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Mrs C Williams

Won two chases at Hereford (2m5f, good) in April and May 2025 but has been more miss than hit since, with both runs this year underwhelming; reverts to hurdles with a visor added off a fair mark but needs to turn things around.

20/1

Form: 12541P D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Has rather mixed record over fences (six starts) but went close at Bangor (3m, good to soft) in May and is a dual hurdle winner on good ground this season (2m4f/2m7f); can make his presence felt here if all goes to plan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

0-9 over fences but twice runner-up; has another go in this discipline on the back of a comfortable win over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in a race he also won 12 months earlier; now rated 10lb lower as a chaser so has obvious claims.

4/5

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

0-9 over fences but twice runner-up; has another go in this discipline on the back of a comfortable win over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in a race he also won 12 months earlier; now rated 10lb lower as a chaser so has obvious claims.

4/5

1st

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:00 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

9lb lower when an easy winner of this 12 months ago but he can deal with this mark and latest close third at Ffos Las (good to soft) was commendable given he likes good ground; could very easily win this again.

13/8

Form: 625PP-

Last run: 183 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
0-10 over hurdles; seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when second at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in February but ended last season with two poor performances and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Isabella Bee

SPOTLIGHT:

The Gypsy Davey

D Express:

Just Loose Change

The Star:

Itso Fury

The Times:

Isabella Bee

Telegraph:

Isabella Bee

The Guardian:

Isabella Bee

Daily Mail:

Isabella Bee

Daily Mirror:

Isabella Bee

The Sun:

Isabella Bee

Daily Record:

Isabella Bee

RP RATINGS:

The Gypsy Davey

TOPSPEED:

The Gypsy Davey

POSTDATA:

The Gypsy Davey