December 18 / 13.25 Ludlow

13.25

Good To Soft

Tanners Cava EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Tanners Cava EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
The horse who beat him in an Irish point joined Gordon Elliott for £300,000 and has since impressed in a bumper; encouraging that this 4yo had too much speed for a Flat recruit over C&D last month (6-4f) with the pair clear; looks a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Meetmebythesea

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has the same strike-rate as Jordans Cross, being 5-8 overall; struggled in the Game Spirit when bidding to take chase record to 3-3; faces a more suitable assignment in this contest and although he has raced mainly at about 2m, the return to 2m4f promises to suit; good third in major novice handicap hurdle at Sandown (good to soft) in sole attempt over this distance; major contender, with further improvement still plausible.

13/2

6th

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Meetmebythesea

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Good effort in notable novice handicap on last hurdles attempt; unbeaten otherwise under rules and has taken well to fences, last time defying a penalty at Ayr (2m, heavy); has the worst chance at the weights upped in class but current rating isn't necessarily his ceiling; progressive and could go well.

16/1

3rd

2

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Meetmebythesea

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Promising sort who is 3-3 under rules, all in 2m events over hurdles, and beat The Kemble Brewery at Ludlow on penultimate occasion; likely to be as effective at this longer distance, being a 3m point runner-up, and represents last year's winning yard; respected.

7/2

OUR TIP

4/6

  • Place: £1.02

Form: /13-11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
One of his two bumper wins came at Cheltenham when beating the useful Valgrand; odds-on winner of his last two hurdles, beating a subsequent winner (smart) at Worcester (soft) and then never headed when having them well stretched out at Ffos Las (good to soft); penalised accordingly but he's well above average.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

The Kemble Brewery

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Low-mileage 7yo who looked better than ever (in first-time cheekpieces) when readily making all in five-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m) 30 days ago; hiked up 9lb but still not taken lightly with headgear retained.

2/1

1st

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

19:07 Chepstow

The Kemble Brewery

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Endured a sobering chase debut here in November (sole start on good) but firmly back on track on sole start since when finding only an even less exposed handicapper too good over C&D a fortnight ago (good to soft; pair 9l clear); cheekpieces added; retains plenty of upside.

15/8

2nd

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

The Kemble Brewery

12st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Failed to complete over hurdles (pulled up) and fences (fell) in his last two starts but this lightly raced 7yo is still unexposed in handicaps and he won twice during his novice hurdle campaign; returns after 157 days off and he needs checking in market back in this sphere.

6/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 6

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost 80,000euros as a 3yo; only sixth of the eight runners in a Uttoxeter bumper but was too headstrong and he wasn't friendless in the betting at 13-2; could settle better in the new hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

Doctor Love

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Alastair Ralph

Hooded the last twice; went off a bit hot when beaten under 4l in a 2m novice at Ludlow (soft) the last time; needs to settle down and perhaps best watched for now.

6/1

7th

1

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

Doctor Love

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Alastair Ralph

Hooded the last twice; went off a bit hot when beaten under 4l in a 2m novice at Ludlow (soft) the last time; needs to settle down and perhaps best watched for now.

6/1

4th

3

27th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Doctor Love

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Alastair Ralph

Improved upon sole bumper run when third on hurdle debut over C&D (good to soft) in December in a first-time hood (retained); he was no match for the front two but they look useful and this son of a Listed hurdle winner is open to further progress; respected.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished fourth in an Irish point in March, fading to be beaten just under 20l; likely best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Last Rodeo

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Improved with experience over hurdles last season and won Lingfield maiden (2m3f, soft) by 9l in February; makes handicap debut after eight-month absence and in a much tougher race; further progress required.

12/1

8

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

15:05 Lingfield

Last Rodeo

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Well-held fourth in sole Irish point last spring; same outcome on hurdling debut at Ludlow in December but he found improvement with his rallying third at Taunton (2m, soft) last month; that was an eyecatching effort and he could have a big role to play over this longer trip.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Picked up for £20,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point earlier this year and the winner impressed in an Ayr bumper on his debut for the Skeltons; this 4yo should have a future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Passing Pleasure

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won handicaps at Musselburgh (hurdle; 2m4f, soft) and Catterick (chase; 2m3f, good to soft) on first two outings for this yard; beaten at short odds but advanced his RPR again when stepped up to around 3m under rules for the first time in a Newcastle chase four weeks ago, going down by a neck to a next-time-out winner with the pair 16l clear; another 6lb higher back hurdling but it may not stop him, particularly if reacting well to the new cheekpieces (added to the tongue-tie he's worn since joining this stable).

7/4

2nd

1

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:05 Newcastle

Passing Pleasure

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two out of two for current yard, winning handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) and handicap chase at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft); up 9lb; tongue-tie, tried on last two starts, is back on again; stable going well and he's one to take seriously.

5/4

Form: 6-6P

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has finished well held in all his races, the latest on hurdling debut over further at Leicester.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Grenardier

11st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Chased home short-odds favourite in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February but safely held in both subsequent handicaps (2m3f/2m); needs a boost from the new cheekpieces here.

12/1

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Grenardier

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Best of the rest behind a long odds-on winner in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February; disappointing second favourite on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) one month ago but the trip might have stretched him.

6/1

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Grenardier

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Best of the rest behind a long odds-on winner in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February; disappointing second favourite on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) one month ago but the trip might have stretched him.

6/1

Form: 505

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten near enough a distance behind Meetmebythesea here three weeks ago; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

12:55 Fakenham

Yorgunnabeplucky

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Won off this mark on his chasing debut at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last June and has been consistent in four runs since, albeit not confirming his stamina over an extended 3m at Warwick in January.

2/1

4th

8

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:47 Warwick

Yorgunnabeplucky

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Evan Williams

Beat three rivals to win on chase debut at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last June and returned from break with three respectable runs in the autumn (2m6f-2m7f; cheekpieces added last time); has the services of Sean Bowen for first venture beyond 3m but this race looks more competitive and he'll have something to prove if the ground turns soft.

7/1

Form: 08

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished tailed off last month over C&D in the maiden won by Meetmebythesea.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:45 Huntingdon

Dontworrywegotthis

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Low-level maiden who's faced this sort of test on four of her last five starts and is 14lb out of the handicap this time.

100/1

6th

7

5th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Dontworrywegotthis

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Has decidedly poor form and is again well out of the weights.

50/1

8th

12

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Worcester

Dontworrywegotthis

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Struggled at triple-digit odds in her first two handicap hurdles (3m1f/2m5f) and is 14lb wrong here.

100/1

Non-runners

Following Chapter

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.10
Straight Forecast £4.03
Trifecta £18.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Kemble Brewery

SPOTLIGHT:

Meetmebythesea

RP RATINGS:

Meetmebythesea

POSTDATA:

Meetmebythesea

D Express:

Meetmebythesea

Daily Record:

Meetmebythesea

WEST COUNTRY:

The Kemble Brewery

The Times:

The Kemble Brewery

Telegraph:

The Kemble Brewery

The Guardian:

The Kemble Brewery

Daily Mail:

The Kemble Brewery

Daily Mirror:

The Kemble Brewery