January 16 / 13.50 Ludlow

13.50

Soft

‘The Commodore’ Handicap Chase (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 4f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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‘The Commodore’ Handicap Chase (Div I)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: P-223F

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Remains a maiden but he was runner-up twice in a row at Chepstow in November (2m, good to soft) and was running well in second when falling three out there (2m, soft) three weeks ago; could have a part to play if the step up in trip isn't an issue (pedigree provides some hope it will be okay).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

On a losing run but he fared better than of late when third of eight over C&D 22 days ago; he needs considering eased 2lb.

11/2

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Won at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his last six runs and was a well-held fourth of six at Ffos Las last time; now 7lb lower than for his last win but he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

4th

1

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Lucky Lugger

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Out of sorts since a couple of sound performances, including an account-opening win, last February; chance of revival depends on how well he responds to added cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 9/121- D

Last run: 397 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Returns from an absence but that's rarely an issue with horses from this yard and she won in November 2023 after some time off; progressive over fences when last seen; can play a leading role if resuming where she left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

13:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Heva Rose

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

2-3 during light campaign last season, the latter win gained off today's mark in valuable series final at Hereford (3m1f, good); pulled up in 2m3f Wetherby race won by Micks Jet last month but has possibilities here if that outing brought her on.

11/2

8

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

13:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Heva Rose

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

2-3 during light campaign last season, the latter win gained off today's mark in valuable series final at Hereford (3m1f, good); pulled up in 2m3f Wetherby race won by Micks Jet last month but has possibilities here if that outing brought her on.

11/2

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:40 Wetherby

Heva Rose

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led, faced challenge after 5 out, headed before 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out

9/2

Form: P24-P7

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was placed in maiden hurdles for Dan Skelton, but he's been pulled up/well beaten on his first two chase/stable starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Micro Millions

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer who is 0-5 over hurdles and 0-6 as a chaser; hasn't been threatening to put that right, with and without headgear; found a weak race here but could do with upping his game.

6/1

5th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Micro Millions

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer who is 0-5 over hurdles and 0-6 as a chaser; hasn't been threatening to put that right, with and without headgear; found a weak race here but could do with upping his game.

6/1

5th

2

27th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:27 Warwick

Micro Millions

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer; ten defeats under rules divided between hurdles and fences; beaten 14l and about 10l in his last two races and needs extra.

10/1

Form: 325-54

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Below par on his two runs in late 2024 but he's dropped to an attractive mark and his form took a leap forward when cheekpieces went on, so perhaps the first-time blinkers will give him a boost; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

14:07 Stratford

Greenrock Abbey

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Generally in good form for this yard over fences and was in the process of leaving behind a pull-up over hurdles when falling in a handicap chase at Cartmel two weeks ago (2m1f); it was four out so still some way from home, but he's firmly in the reckoning.

5/2

6

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Greenrock Abbey

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: James Owen

Ended a 17-race losing run on his third start for this yard when scoring by 12l in a first-time visor at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) nine days ago; still well treated on older form despite an 11lb rise, but needs to bounce back after pulling up over hurdles here on Friday.

11/4

13

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Greenrock Abbey

10st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: James Owen

Came good for new stable at third attempt, with 12l success over fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, good; first-time visor) a week ago; only 1lb higher for this return to hurdling and won't mind if there's rain about; major player.

2/1

Form: PU4725 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won over fences for Paul Nicholls last March and runner-up in selling hurdle in October on final outing for that yard; however, tailed off in handicap hurdle on last month's stable debut and has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Market Rasen

Fame And Fun

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has returned from a break in good order and gave an in-form rival a right fright at Worcester (2m7f, good); won't mind rain.

11/2

8

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Worcester

Fame And Fun

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Encouraging third after a three-month break at Stratford (2m7f, good) last month; looks the type to be at his best in the summer and holds sound claims.

5/1

6

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:30 Stratford

Fame And Fun

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won modest chase at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) in January and is also suited by much faster ground but has become very inconsistent in recent years; others in this line-up have much more appealing profiles.

12/1

Form: 323-2U

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won on chase debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in November 2023 and he went very close there (2m, soft) on this season's reappearance; unseated in the back straight at Lingfield last time; unproven at this trip under rules but won a 3m point in 2021; in with a chance if seeing it out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Superstylin

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Three wins over fences this season and last two have been at Fontwell (2m2f/2m3f, good to soft); well-held second of four at Plumpton 19 days ago but that was behind an improver from the Nicholls yard; 10lb lower on this return to hurdling and he's an interesting contender in suitable conditions.

5/2

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Superstylin

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Mostly in very good form since joining this yard and under a positive ride he held on comfortably when back from a break at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft), beating a reliable yardstick in the process; 4lb rise was fair; cheekpieces replace usual tongue-tie.

5/4

1st

7

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

Superstylin

10st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Made a winning debut for Chris Gordon in September and has continued to run well in defeat; this longer trip shouldn't be a problem but he has been edging up the weights and he's 2lb out of the handicap here.

13/2

Form: 84894-

Last run: 322 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced point runner-up who was a fair fourth on his chase debut here (3m, soft) last February; however, he's been absent since and a bigger performance is needed today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Yes And Yes

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Appreciated the step up in trip when landing his second race over fences at Stratford (3m3f, good) last month; up 5lb and needs to back that up over this slightly shorter distance.

7/2

1st

7

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Yes And Yes

10st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Sole success over fences came at Chepstow in March last year off 2lb higher; soundly beaten since and steps up to beyond 3m for the first time; down to a career-low mark and needs this extra test of stamina to bring out improvement.

5/1

Form: 55-F32

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Fair efforts when placed over hurdles the last twice (1m7f/2m, heavy/soft) but he's now 0-15 and 3lb out of the handicap on this chase debut; stamina is another doubt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Night Jet

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Won chase debut in February 2025 and back to form with blinkers enlisted when second on last two outings, but all three of those runs were over 2m and there is plenty to prove judged on his attempts at 2m4f/3m; cheekpieces return and their previous usage includes that one win.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Took a step forward in a change of headgear when second of eight in handicap over C&D 22 day ago, hindered by a blunder two out; this C&D winner is a likely player if blinkers have the same effect a second time.

9/2

2nd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Opened his account when winning on chase debut over C&D (soft) last February but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs; overall record is now 1-21 and he needs new headgear to give him a boost.

7/1

Betting Forcast

9/2 Lucky Lugger, 11/4 Heva Rose, 50/1 Micro Millions, 7/1 Greenrock Abbey, 14/1 Fame And Fun, 9/2 Superstylin, 16/1 Yes And Yes, 9/1 Night Jet

Non-runners

Zestful Hope

Verdict

The mare HEVA ROSE was progressive towards the end of 2023 and, although this is her first run since, she has won after some time off in the past. She is the selection ahead of Lucky Lugger, who has shown some good form in defeat this season. Superstylin could also run well.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Heva Rose

The Guardian:

Zestful Hope

POSTDATA:

Lucky Lugger

The Star:

Night Jet

TOPSPEED:

Superstylin

Telegraph:

Greenrock Abbey

The Times:

Lucky Lugger

Daily Mail:

Zestful Hope

The Sun:

Zestful Hope

RP RATINGS:

Heva Rose

D Express:

Heva Rose

Daily Mirror:

Heva Rose

Daily Record:

Heva Rose