December 18 / 15.10 Ludlow

15.10

Good To Soft

Pontesbury Tractors Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 4f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Pontesbury Tractors Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 222114 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Triple 3m point winner last spring, but that trip appeared too far under rules when the chase hat-trick bid foundered latest; unchanged mark looks beatable next to the RPR of last month's Hereford success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Moodofthemoment

11st 5lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won at Newcastle in October and not disgraced when sixth here last time; could go well but others in better form.

16/1

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Moodofthemoment

11st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won a five-runner handicap at Newcastle in October (2m4f, good) but had been pulled up on previous start and was pulled up on only start since (good to soft); this ground should suit better but he's not easy to work out.

7/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Moodofthemoment

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won three times over fences for Matt Sheppard; yet to score for present yard, but two fair runs when in the frame at Sedgefield in September (2m/2m3f, good); never travelling when pulled up on same track last time (3m5f); a possible.

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 621P-P D

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Fine second from 6lb out of the weights in this last year, and a Leicester win (2m7f, heavy) soon followed; hard to recommend just now, however, having pulled up on last two starts either side of a summer break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Martalmixjac

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Kept on well to win from the front at Ludlow (3m, good to soft; front pair clear) in February and remains well handicapped on best of last season's form but he's too inconsistent to rely upon heavily.

7/1

1st

7

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Martalmixjac

10st 4lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Ran quite well when second (albeit well held) at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago and will be fine over today's longer trip but he's very inconsistent nowadays and it's nearly two years since his last win.

11/2

2nd

10

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:25 Huntingdon

Martalmixjac

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Dual chase winner who is well treated on best form; not particularly solid on his results this season, the pick at Hereford when over half the field failed to complete.

12/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4-0442 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
3-4 at Hereford versus 0-22 elsewhere, but notable his equal best chase RPR was recorded over this C&D in spring 2023 off a stone higher; just missed out in a titanic scrap at Uttoxeter latest (soft; cheekpieces debuted there are retained), and a player if this doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences, the latest at Huntingdon in October (2m4f, good) when 2lb higher; not so good in his five subsequent defeats and record when fresh is modest.

9/2

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Zestful Hope

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won this in 2025 (good to soft) and was also on target at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in October; back on a good mark now and should be fine on today's forecast soft ground but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

6/1

5th

2

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Drew clear on run-in to score by 13l at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, form that was franked by the runner-up over the weekend; not one to rely upon heavily, though.

5/1

Form: 473564

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Kept busy since purchase from Dan Skelton but yet to compile an error-free round in her nascent chasing career, fading after belting five out here latest (2m, good to soft); becoming well treated but others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:55 Ludlow

River Robe

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Respectable third at Market Rasen last time but is far from guaranteed to go two places better, being the least productive contender in this field; overall strike-rate is just 1-25 and chase record is 0-6.

8/1

3rd

7

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

15:35 Market Rasen

River Robe

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

With Dan Skelton when gaining her only success and she's again out of the weights here; opposable.

25/1

8

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

River Robe

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

With Dan Skelton when gaining her only success and hard to envisage her doubling that tally here from well out of the weights.

66/1

Form: 511P3- D

Last run: 288 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper win came over this far (made all) and he's added a 3m hurdle since, so assertive strategy likely here; chase/point scorers in pedigree (nephew of prolific Templer) augur well for a move to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Chosen Templar

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: D J Jeffreys

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner (3m, soft) who ran well for a long way on last month's chase and handicap debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), which came after a 288-day break; shaped as though he needed that run and he could have a part to play now back up in trip.

12/1

11

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Chosen Templar

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: D J Jeffreys

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner (3m, soft) who ran well for a long way on last month's chase and handicap debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), which came after a 288-day break; shaped as though he needed that run and he could have a part to play now back up in trip.

12/1

5th

1

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Chosen Templar

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Irish bumper win came over this far (made all) and he's added a 3m hurdle since, so assertive strategy likely here; chase/point scorers in pedigree (nephew of prolific Templer) augur well for a move to fences.

9/2

Form: 7F043F D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Musselburgh class 2 scorer off 8lb higher this time last year, and no trip or ground issues; age finally catching him up judged on most of this season's efforts, however, and apart from a tongue tie latest (fell first) it's nearly seven years since a headgear experiment was attempted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Cracking Destiny

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Veteran; has won five chases from 2m-2m4f on good/good to soft; good third at Hexham in August but two heavy defeats since; on last winning mark; could bounce back.

9/2

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Cracking Destiny

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Veteran; has won five chases from 2m-2m4f on good/good to soft; good third at Hexham in August but two heavy defeats since; on last winning mark; could bounce back.

9/2

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:15 Carlisle

Cracking Destiny

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

12yo; won at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June and third there in August (2m4f, good); mistakes may have been costly when tailed off at Kelso (2m5f, good) latest and he's not written off, but others are more compelling.

20/1

Form: 3-1527 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Well served by a sharp 2m4f-2m6f and no extremes of going, so recent Market Rasen flop was mystifying with so much set fair; chance on the form of the Plumpton second which preceded it, but a bit to take on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Kankin

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Dual winner over fences including here (2m4f, good to soft); 5lb lower than when second of six over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f, good) in May, but well held in both subsequent outings; stable also runs Catalan King.

14/1

5th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Kankin

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Dual winner over fences including here (2m4f, good to soft); 5lb lower than when second of six over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f, good) in May, but well held in both subsequent outings; stable also runs Catalan King.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 831-13 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Got up in a three-runner affair here in October (3m, good), but lacklustre when a long way below that chasing debut effort next time and a bit to prove now; shorter trip no concern (sub-2m6f point/hurdle scorer).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Ask Brewster

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Mrs C Williams

3m4f resulted in an 8l win at Cheltenham last April and he's won over 3m/3m2f in two of his three starts this season; latest was the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in which he was always front rank under Shane Cotter and responded admirably when Road To Home joined him on the run-in; up 7lb but this trip makes plenty of appeal and all five chase wins have been on good ground or good to firm (withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy); has a bit to prove going right-handed, with a run here in December prompting concern, but otherwise lots to like.

7/1

1st

22

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Ask Brewster

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Mrs C Williams

Hat-trick last year (2m7f/3m4f, good/good to firm) featured a spring win at Cheltenham; ran well for a long way before tiring at Sandown (3m4f) in December on going that was good to soft, soft in places; better ground today would be a plus for his claims.

20/1

16/1

Form: 706

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Achieved less in each successive Irish point finish, and autumn's fair stable/hurdles debut has similarly not been built on; couldn't be confident given yard's tough season, but chase winners in pedigree offer hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Rockvale

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Sam Allwood

Placed in points but yet to make the frame in six starts under rules, a well-held sixth in 3m handicap chase at Bangor last month; easy to look elsewhere.

12/1

6th

10

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Rockvale

10st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

Jumped moderately when beaten 25l on chase debut two runs back and again well held over hurdles here when tried in a hood.

14/1

8th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Rockvale

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Sam Allwood

Failed to build on a mildly encouraging hurdle debut and his first handicap was over fences when tailed off at Ludlow (2m4f) in late 2024; plenty of risks involved after his long absence with a hood now fitted.

25/1

Form: /PPP54 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Stringing together some chasing completions now, and this would be miles easier than the class 3s he's contested the last twice (70l behind L'Eau Du Sud in a 0-140 latest); could still jump more tidily.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Storm Of Light

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Rob Summers

2m4f hurdle winner (good); well treated on his hurdles form with Olly Murphy but has plenty to prove on the majority of his chase efforts.

33/1

10th

9

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Storm Of Light

10st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Stringing together some chasing completions now, and this would be miles easier than the class 3s he's contested the last twice (70l behind L'Eau Du Sud in a 0-140 latest); could still jump more tidily.

20/1

10th

9

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Storm Of Light

10st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Stringing together some chasing completions now, and this would be miles easier than the class 3s he's contested the last twice (70l behind L'Eau Du Sud in a 0-140 latest); could still jump more tidily.

20/1

Form: 46-348

Last run: 110 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Nephew of the high-class Whisper (Coral Cup, Dipper Chase, two Liverpool Hurdles); no great shakes in 2m1f-2m3f hurdles in provincial France most recently, but has time on his side and he's worth a market check at least on his stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

LEmpire Vert

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Best form over 2m on good ground, including win in autumn and second-place finish at Hereford last time; step back up in distance presents a question mark.

13/2

2nd

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

LEmpire Vert

11st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Defied this mark in a handicap chase at Ludlow (2m, good) in November but has struggled since, including over hurdles here (2m4f, good) 11 days ago; record is now 1-17 and he needs a major revival back over fences.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.20
Straight Forecast £37.05
Tricast £110.97
Trifecta £146.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Zestful Hope

Daily Mail:

Ask Brewster

D Express:

Chosen Templar

SPOTLIGHT:

Moodofthemoment

TOPSPEED:

Kankin

Daily Mirror:

Ask Brewster

The Star:

Ask Brewster

POSTDATA:

Zestful Hope

The Times:

Zestful Hope

Telegraph:

Zestful Hope

The Guardian:

Zestful Hope

The Sun:

Zestful Hope

Daily Record:

Zestful Hope