February 26 / 14.07 Ludlow

14.07

Good To Soft

Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Qualifier) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £9505.8
  • 2m 7f 171y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
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Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Qualifier) (GBB)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.40
  • Place: £4.90

Form: 6-813P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won three-runner contest at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November and probably bettered that form when close third at Wetherby (3m, soft; cheekpieces refitted) the following month; needs to rebound from last month's duff effort but remains lightly raced and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Aboutdamntime

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Record of 2-6 over fences and when beaten at Kelso last time that was at the hands of an improver (3m2f, good to soft); gets in off the same mark here and could be a factor

15/2

2nd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Aboutdamntime

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Has won two of his five chases and reportedly appreciated the drier surface (good to soft) when prevailing narrowly over 3m at Ludlow last time; off only 3lb higher and open to further progress, he's seriously considered.

3/1

1st

6

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Aboutdamntime

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won three-runner contest at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November and probably bettered that form when close third at Wetherby (3m, soft; cheekpieces refitted) the following month; needs to rebound from last month's duff effort but remains lightly raced and enters calculations.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 16234P D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles on stable debut in September and was third in valuable chase at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; struggled in heavy-ground hurdle last month but he's better than that and now returns to fences on a good mark; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Prince Zaltar

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won over hurdles on stable debut in September and was third in valuable chase at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; struggled in heavy-ground hurdle last month but he's better than that and now returns to fences on a good mark; might be the answer.

9/2

8

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:10 Warwick

Prince Zaltar

10st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

3m winner over fences in Ireland and made a winning debut for this yard over hurdles in September (2m5f, good to soft); his subsequent defeats, all over 3m and divided between hurdles and fences, suggest his current mark is on the high side.

5/1

Form: 53-F57 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner (3m/3m1f); not beaten far when fifth of six in C&D (good to soft) contest won by Ballycamus in December and didn't run badly in competitive Windsor marathon last month; can't be ignored off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Rockinastorm

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Dual course winner (3m/3m1f); not beaten far when fifth of six in C&D (good to soft) contest won by Ballycamus in December and didn't run badly in competitive Windsor marathon last month; can't be ignored off this mark.

6/1

7th

9

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 162y

Class 3

15:35 Windsor

Rockinastorm

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Front-runner who won two in a row in late 2024 (3m1f/3m, good/soft), on the second occasion off today's mark, and he ran pretty well over 3m4f at Haydock last March; hasn't run badly on either outing this season but needs something extra this afternoon.

20/1

11

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Rockinastorm

11st 6lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: Henry Daly

Dual chase winner towards end of 2024 (3m1f/3m); only third of four behind Regarde at Haydock (3m4f, good) in March but wasn't beaten far; resumes on a workable mark and with Patrick Mullins a good jockey booking.

9/1

Form: 4-2791 CD

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with hard-fought C&D (good to soft) win in December, his second C&D success, and was nudged up only 1lb for that; obvious contender if in similar mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Ballycamus

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Rather in and out, and followed a Ludlow win (3m, good to soft) in December with a listless fourth over the same C&D three weeks ago; needs first-time headgear to inject some sparkle.

6/1

4th

2

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Ballycamus

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned to form with hard-fought C&D (good to soft) win in December, his second C&D success, and was nudged up only 1lb for that; obvious contender if in similar mood again.

3/1

16

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Ballycamus

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Went up 5lb for winning a 3m handicap that fell apart at Ludlow (good to soft) in February and that was under a 3lb claimer; probably has no margin for error off this mark and that spells danger in this warm a race; that said, his Chepstow run after a break was encouraging.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -3PP53 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

Form: 52-FPP

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 8yo; beaten when falling on seasonal debut in October and pulled up on both subsequent appearances; needs a huge boost from the new cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Tommys Charm

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Lightly raced for his age and now 12lb lower than when going close at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) at start of last year, but he's been out of form this season and needs first-time tongue-tie to aid a revival.

20/1

5th

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Tommys Charm

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Hurdles winner over a similar trip here early in 2024, but lightly raced since; finally managed to complete at Ludlow (3m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month, but was still well beaten; lots to prove.

16/1

6th

7

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Tommys Charm

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kerry Lee

Low-mileage 8yo; beaten when falling on seasonal debut in October and pulled up on both subsequent appearances; needs a huge boost from the new cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 1-P3F2 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won this race in first-time cheekpieces a year ago (soft ground) and followed up in valuable event at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) last March; made disappointing start to current campaign but last month's second of four at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) was much better and his current mark ought to be workable; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Minella Blueway

10st 10lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Won the 3m novice handicap chase on this card 12 months ago (good to soft) when 5lb lower and he produced a similar effort to finish second at Plumpton in January (3m1f, soft); however, this race demands a career best and on the back of a laboured display at Ludlow.

50/1

7th

4

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Minella Blueway

11st 4lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won this race in first-time cheekpieces a year ago (soft ground) and followed up in valuable event at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) last March; made disappointing start to current campaign but last month's second of four at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) was much better and his current mark ought to be workable; respected.

4/1

2nd

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Blueway

11st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won two in a row when cheekpieces first fitted (3m; soft and good to soft) last spring; hard to judge current wellbeing as he's been running in better races since back from a break but he was soundly beaten in his only completion and fell early at Ascot only nine days ago.

11/4

Non-runners

Galop De Chasse

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.00
Straight Forecast £49.80
Tricast £139.03
Trifecta £198.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Minella Blueway

The Times:

Ballycamus

Telegraph:

Beachcomber

SPOTLIGHT:

Prince Zaltar

TOPSPEED:

Aboutdamntime

RP RATINGS:

Rockinastorm

The Star:

Beachcomber

Daily Mail:

Minella Blueway

Daily Mirror:

Minella Blueway

Daily Record:

Minella Blueway

The Sun:

Prince Zaltar

The Guardian:

Ballycamus

D Express:

Ballycamus