17:13 Ludlow

Wednesday 19 February 2025

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4317:13

Behind The Scenes Raceday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:13 | Winning time: 5m 20.97s

Whatsupwithyou^b,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Elliott England⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 120| CD

4/1

C&D winner who was tried in different headgear when a solid third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, soft) 16 days ago. Can go well again from an easing mark for his in-form yard.

Form: 22-2903

Halondo^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 119| D

50/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Olly Murphy. Good third at Warwick for his new yard in April but had wind surgery/off 9 months before pulled up in 2m3f Chepstow handicap 22 days ago. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 14/243-P

Stone's Throw³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 113

17/2

Debut bumper winner for Paul Webber. Failed to progress from an encouraging hurdling debut when fourth in novices at Uttoxeter and Taunton but remains with potential now stepping up in trip on his handicap bow.

Form: 1344

Super Sabre Sam³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112

7/4

Landed a 19f Fontwell maiden in October and posted a good third of 10 in handicap hurdle at Windsor (20f, good to soft) 31 days ago, despite needing a stiffer test. A likely player off an unchanged mark for yard among the winners.

Form: 6F6-183

D'jo Dela Barriere¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110

14/1

Got off the mark in novice hurdle at Hereford in November but failed to take to fences and only eighth of 11 back in this sphere in handicap at Southwell (20.4f, soft) 16 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 491458

Zacony Rebel^p⁶³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 110| C

33/1

Dual hurdles/chase winner who was largely disappointing during a light 2023/24 campaign for Toby Lawes. Better effort for present yard when a fair fifth of 8 in handicap at Ludlow in December. Needs to build on that.

Form: 8U55-05

Midnight Ginger²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 110

7/2

Chase winner last January and arrives in good nick in this sphere, fourth of 11 in handicap at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 22 days ago. Ought to be thereabouts.

Form: 43-3664

Saunton Surf³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Daire Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 108

11/2

Bumper winner for Bradley Gibbs in 2023. Made a positive start to this season when runner-up at Lingfield (23f) and running well (in second) when fell last in 2m4f Ffos Las handicap last month. Considered.

Form: 558-25F

Forecasts

Super Sabre Sam (7/4), Midnight Ginger (7/2), Whatsupwithyou (4/1), Saunton Surf (11/2), Stone's Throw (17/2), D'jo Dela Barriere (14/1), Zacony Rebel (33/1), Halondo (50/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but SUPER SABRE SAM rates the pick of the weights and with this stiffer test of stamina also a plus he gets the vote. The reliable C&D scorer Whatsupwithyou heads the list of dangers, although Midnight Ginger and Saunton Surf can also have a say in this competitive handicap.