16:53 Ludlow

Thursday 27 February 2025

All14:3515:1015:4516:2016:5317:23

Ian Meadow's 65th Year Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 5m 19.37s

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Selected odds by:

Hellfire Princess^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 100

11/1

Bumper/hurdle winner at Hereford. Another good run at Hereford when narrowly denied on 2¾m reappearance 15 days ago, although she likely would have won but for idling. Player if coping with a second outing in fairly quick succession after an absence.

Form: 53/961-2

Entity Of Substanz^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 97

4/1

Lightly-raced sort who ran best race so far under a positive ride in first-time cheekpieces when second of 8 in 23f Market Rasen handicap in December. Faded over 3m on heavy ground at Wetherby since and this drop back in trip could be a good move.

Form: 75-6525

Bits N Pieces⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 96

25/1

Reached the frame in 2 qualifying runs this autumn but made a disappointing start to his handicap career over 3m here in December. Back down in trip now.

Form: 942P

Passing Pleasure²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 95

9/2

Runner-up on last of 3 starts in Irish points. Bit of promise in 3 qualifying runs over 2m in December and January and rates a potential improver now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 504

Brockarno³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: B Clarke| OR: 94

11/2

Much improved when springing a 40/1 surprise in 19.5f Doncaster novice handicap 34 days ago, getting up towards the finish to beat the reopposing Charming Getaway by a neck. That suggests this longer trip should suit. Likely to go well.

Form: 0-63771

Pottlerath^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: M Sheppard| OR: 89

20/1

Completed a chase hat-trick at the start of summer 2023 but not at his best in 2024. Given a chance by the handicapper as a result but best watched on return from 6 months off unless the betting suggests otherwise. Also minus usual cheekpieces.

Form: 7-P6PP4

Tom Taggle²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 85| BF

11/1

Couldn't justify market support on 19f Taunton handicap debut 23 days ago, finishing 16 lengths fourth of 10, but evidently thought capable of better and today's longer trip could suit. Interesting runner, particularly if there's money for him again.

Form: 0-0644

Churchman¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 83| BF

9/1

Still a maiden and beaten 18 lengths when fourth of 9 over 2½m at Uttoxeter (heavy) 19 days ago. Others are more obvious.

Form: 24-3594

Charming Getaway³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 81

5/2

Best run since returning from absence for new yard when neck second of 16 to the reopposing Brockarno over 19.5f at Doncaster (good to soft) 34 days ago. His strong finish on that occasion suggests today's extra yardage will help. Another to consider.

Form: 986/452

Forecasts

Charming Getaway (5/2), Entity Of Substanz (4/1), Passing Pleasure (9/2), Brockarno (11/2), Churchman (9/1), Hellfire Princess (11/1), Tom Taggle (11/1), Pottlerath (20/1), Bits N Pieces (25/1)

A competitive race. The market strength behind TOM TAGGLE at Taunton suggests connections think he's on a good mark and he might be worth another chance to prove it with the longer trip this afternoon expected to play to his strengths. Last month's Doncaster 1-2 Brockarno and Charming Getaway head the dangers along with Hellfire Princess. Passing Pleasure is also a possible now handicapping.