Ludlow - Thursday 19th March 2026
OCTOBER HILL hasn't quite gone on as expected on both starts in handicap company, but the drop back in trip combined with a first-time tongue-tie gives David Pipe's mare the ideal opportunity to shed the maiden tag. Queen Maeve was a beaten favourite at Hereford on her first start in the UK but is capable of better, while Caterpillar Girl may well have benefited from a break and she completes the shortlist.
GRIS MAJEUR won over C&D in October before producing solid efforts in defeat over longer trips at Hereford and Taunton. Drying conditions will certainly suit the nine-year-old, who gets the vote at the expense of Batwomen. Neil Mulholland's mare is entitled to improve following a wind operation and would be a threat if repeating the level of her Cheltenham performance in December. Bond Broker appears best of the remainder.
Fouroneohfever is yet to fulfil the promise shown on the level after being switched to hurdling at the start of the year, although an opening mark of 109 may underestimate Ben Pauling's charge. Three Pikes is likely to appreciate dropping back in trip on his return to action, but the vote goes to KNIGHTON. Having improved with each appearance against his own age group, it wouldn't be a surprise if the four-year-old made a successful handicap debut.
A small but competitive affair in which marginal preference is for UNCLE PHIL. A host of below-par efforts have seen Chester Williams' gelding tumble down the ratings, but there were signs of encouragement at Hereford last time. He's afforded an ease in class and, dropped another 2lb, he could take a step forward. Supreme George's winning run came to an end at Sedgefield, but he's more reliable than most. Tax For Max edges out Rumoursareflying to be next best.
Alan King has been among the winners of late and he could gain further success courtesy of DON'T MIND IF I DO. A beaten favourite three times since scoring at Wincanton in December 2024, his pedigree suggests this longer trip will suit and an ease in grade is no bad thing either. Windsor Blue benefited from a drop in class to win over C&D. She merits respect but is in deeper this time around and it might be that Sunshine Diamond poses a bigger threat.
GABORIOT didn't get past the fourth fence at Catterick having been sent off an odds-on favourite, but he can reward those who keep the faith. The 10-year-old managed to claim silver in the Grand Sefton as recently as November and if anywhere near that level, he's likely to take all the beating. Killer Clown holds the edge on these terms but he hasn't been seen under Rules for quite some time now, while similar comments apply to Galileo Silver. Guy is also noted.
October Hill has a lot in her favour back in a maiden hurdle, dropping massively in trip and fitted with a first-time tongue-tie, and one would imagine she'll get an aggressive ride. She might well make all, but conceding 10lb to QUEEN MAEVE could prove tricky if that one returns to the level of her Leopardstown debut. She was underwhelming on her British debut at Hereford but that's not a course that suits everyone and, given her dam is related to the likes of Rhinestone Cowboy and Coney Island, she'll surely be winning before long. Georgia's Charm was poor on her hurdles debut but showed plenty in bumpers and can do better.
Dropping in trip and back on better ground, BATWOMEN is taken to get off the mark over fences. Back on the same mark as for her last success over hurdles, she'd caught the eye somewhat on her debut over fences at Lingfield and has had excuses since. The wind op she's undergone since her last outing could make all the difference. Bond Broker is interesting also, stepping up in trip and with the ground in his favour. He needs to settle, though. Gris Majeur is a solid type who will appeal to many, with him being a winner over C&D back in October.
This can go to FOURONEOHFEVER, who wasn't quite at his best last time but the ground might have been soft enough and he's of definite interest from this opening mark given his Flat ability - he's rated 93 on the level. He should prove suited by this speed-favouring track. The 4yo Knighton looks the danger, having shown promise in qualifying runs and he gets all the weight allowances. Gifted Angel could have a say also having run with plenty of encouragement back hurdling at Warwick last time. His mark remains fair.
Uncle Phil ran his best race since 2024 when third of four at Hereford 12 days ago but it's another ex-Willie Mullins performer in TAX FOR MAX who appeals as the likely winner. This will be his first run at 2m over fences since joining this yard and the way he moved through the race at Huntingdon last time suggests it will very much suit. He should get a good pace to aim at as both Rumoursareflying and Supreme George, preferred in that order, like to make the running.
Byzantium missed all of winter and returns with the ground in his favour, so it would be no surprise to see him register a third win in his last four starts but WINDSOR BLUE has already proven her current wellbeing, and liking for this C&D, and is favoured to come out on top of the pair. She's progressive and, as the youngest horse in he line-up, open to plenty of improvement still. Don't Mind If I Do is a possible improver up in trip if settling as he's related to some good winners at around 2m4f.
GABORIOT took an early fall at Catterick last time on his return to hunter chases but he's usually a reliable jumper and looks the one to beat on his handicap efforts from earlier in the season even if this trip is a little on the sharp side. Guy is dropping in trip back under rules and can go well with the ground coming in his favour as he has plenty of past handicap form to his name, with similar comments applying to Killer Clown who has been in fair form in points and reached a peak rating of 148 back in his younger days.
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