April 22 / 15.30 Ludlow

15.30

Good

Hr Smith Handicap Chase (For The Boyne Cup) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 171y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Hr Smith Handicap Chase (For The Boyne Cup) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

40/1 (Won)

  • Win: £47.70
  • Place: £12.30

Form: 189445 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Zacony Rebel

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won from well out of the weights at Ludlow and off only 3lb higher he followed up at the expense of three rivals (3m, good), taking his record there to 3-5; has another 6lb rise to contend with but has won here and has to be taken seriously.

13/2

1st

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who bounced back with 33-1 success from well out of the weights over C&D (good) most recently, taking Ludlow record to 2-4; just no certainty to follow up, having been inconsistent for a while.

7/2

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights.

40/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 12-023 BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); his three runs over fences since December include a close second at Warwick (2m, good to soft) but he was tailed off in both runs either side of that; still lightly raced but he has something to prove on this big step back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Epic West

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); his three runs over fences since December include a close second at Warwick (2m, good to soft) but he was tailed off in both runs either side of that; still lightly raced but he has something to prove on this big step back up in trip.

9/2

3rd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 3

14:05 Leicester

Epic West

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); ran no race on chase/handicap debut at Kempton (2m4f, good) on Boxing Day, but he got back on track with a close second at Warwick (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 3lb but that was a clear personal best last time and he's open to more progress over fences.

15/8

2nd

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Epic West

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); ran no race on chase/handicap debut at Kempton (2m4f, good) on Boxing Day but still looks a good prospect and will be fine over this shorter trip.

5/1

Form: -12322 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Gris Majeur

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour.

7/2

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.

9/2

2nd

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out.

5/1

Form: -15P41 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile but she made it 2-6 over fences when justifying favouritism here (2m4f, good) last month; up 6lb but that was a personal best last time and her other chase win came over this C&D; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Annie Express

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Has a patchy profile but she made it 2-6 over fences when justifying favouritism here (2m4f, good) last month; up 6lb but that was a personal best last time and her other chase win came over this C&D; key player.

2/1

1st

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

14:57 Ludlow

Annie Express

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Making stable debut when scoring comfortably over 3m here in January (good to soft) but has to get back on track after three lesser efforts (the latest in a first-time visor).

9/2

4th

9

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Annie Express

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won easily over fences at Ludlow (3m) in January on debut for this yard but nothing since, latterly with cheekpieces back on; now tries a visor; risky enough.

16/1

Form: 2PP920 D

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 5lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
12yo who has won four times over fences but there were more bad runs than good ones in Ireland last year; on workable mark in suitable conditions but he was tailed off when last seen in October and needs a major revival for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Arrycan

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish veteran who was safely held on first two starts for new stable this spring (both 3m, good); needs good boost from new cheekpieces here.

10/1

5th

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Arrycan

11st 1lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

Four-time winner over fences but a 12yo now and his stable debut was a quiet one.

25/1

5th

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Arrycan

11st 5lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

12yo who has won four times over fences but there were more bad runs than good ones in Ireland last year; on workable mark in suitable conditions but he was tailed off when last seen in October and needs a major revival for new yard.

10/1

Form: 385523

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Three wins at around 2m in Ireland and latest was over fences for Willie Mullins in June 2023; record of 0-8 for current yard but he rallied well when a creditable third here (2m, good) last month; this is a different test at this new trip but he's well treated on his old form and needs watching in the market; tongue-tie back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Tax For Max

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Three wins at around 2m in Ireland and latest was over fences for Willie Mullins in June 2023; record of 0-8 for current yard but he rallied well when a creditable third here (2m, good) last month; this is a different test at this new trip but he's well treated on his old form and needs watching in the market; tongue-tie back on.

5/1

3rd

2

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Tax For Max

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Another previously useful ex-Mullins horse who's yet to score for this yard; some fair efforts, though, including when second of six at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) at the start of the month; drops back in trip and also needs considering from a career-low mark.

15/8

2nd

5

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Tax For Max

10st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Hurdles/chase winner for Willie Mullins but is 0-6 since joining current stable and returning from long absence; failed to derive benefit from going back over fences the last twice; current mark reflects a decline in his form (20lb higher at his peak).

14/1

Form: 1142PU CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old and has failed to complete in his last two starts but this is a drop back in grade and he went close at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; looks interesting on that form and he made all when winning this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Almazhar Garde

12st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and has failed to complete in his last two starts but this is a drop back in grade and he went close at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; looks interesting on that form and he made all when winning this race last year.

9/1

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Almazhar Garde

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and his second at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November came in a two-horse race; followed that with a poor run in a veterans' chase at Doncaster; others appeal more.

20/1

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Almazhar Garde

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won three times last year (3m/2m7f, good to soft/good) and finished close up on final two outings in the autumn; in the mix if returning from a break in similarly good form.

6/1

Non-runners

Petty Cash

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £229.40
Straight Forecast £150.12
Tricast £466.72
Trifecta £849.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Annie Express

The Times:

Epic West

POSTDATA:

Gris Majeur

The Star:

Petty Cash

D Express:

Tax For Max

TOPSPEED:

Almazhar Garde

Daily Mail:

Epic West

The Sun:

Epic West

RP RATINGS:

Annie Express

Telegraph:

Annie Express

The Guardian:

Annie Express

Daily Mirror:

Annie Express

Daily Record:

Annie Express