14:33 Ludlow

Wednesday 18 February 2026

All14:0014:3315:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

Suzuki ATV EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 3m 53.66s

Dartmouth Castle⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

16/1

Fair bumper winner who was in need of the experience sent hurdling when fifth of 11 in 2m novice at Wetherby (11/1) in December, making mistakes. Needs to step up appreciably on that form to play a leading role.

Form: 6-145

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Gimarias³¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley

80/1

Showed limited ability in 2 bumper starts in the first half of 2025.

Form: 85-

Hobnail^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: Miss C Dyson

250/1

Of no account on early evidence.

Form: 8PP

Joeybottles^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

33/1

Showed promise on debut in bumper at Perth last spring but hasn't seen his race out on either start over hurdles, fourth of 10 in maiden at Southwell latterly. Needs this for a handicap mark.

Form: 3-74

Le Gentleman^t1¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: O Greenall & J GuerrieroWS

80/1

Failed to complete both starts over hurdles in France prior to finishing second in 4-y-o event at Moulins (18.4f) on chasing debut in September. Has since left Patrice Quinton and had a breathing operation.

Form: PU-2

Leo Wood³¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

3/1

Closely related to French hurdle winner/chaser Kashback Wood and half-brother to useful hurdler/very smart chaser Franco de Port (2m-2¼m winner). Showed promise when third in juvenile at Compiegne (17.9f) on hurdling debut in April 2025. Has left N. George & A. Zetterholm and should improve.

Form: 3-

River Glance^h,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin| T: Mrs E Bishop

250/1

Yet to show much, including on the back of a breathing operation at Southwell latest.

Form: 76-8P7

Swingforthefence¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ian Power| T: J Candlish

150/1

Looks more one for handicaps after this run.

Form: 3-79

Titanium Ring¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly

10/1

Produced a promising first effort when second of 11 in a Hexham bumper in November. Still finding in second when falling 2 out on Uttoxeter hurdling debut but rather underwhelming at Ffos Las since.

Form: 2F5

Hey Flint²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

100/1

Bit of promise in bumpers and on second hurdle start but low-grade handicaps will be more her bag.

Form: 6607

Hornica^h³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 114

6/5

Useful-looking mare who was thrown in at the deep end on her second start over hurdles and failed to match her hurdling debut form, but shaped well behind a promising sort at Windsor (2m) latest. Remains with potential and leading contender.

Form: 4-762

Misterdoc²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| BF

9/4

Won a bumper in France and runner-up at Auteuil on hurdling bow in October. Shaped encouragingly when fourth of 7 in juvenile hurdle at Chepstow (10/11 fav) 22 days ago, running on under considerate handling with more to give. Better to come.

Form: 24

Forecasts

Hornica (6/5), Misterdoc (9/4), Leo Wood (3/1), Titanium Ring (10/1), Dartmouth Castle (16/1), Joeybottles (33/1), Le Gentleman (80/1), Gimarias (80/1), Hey Flint (100/1), Swingforthefence (150/1), River Glance (250/1), Hobnail (250/1)

MISTERDOC shaped with plenty of encouragement on his recent stable debut after 3 months off, finishing with more to give under considerate handling, so he's an appealing candidate in receipt of weight from his older rivals. Hornica shaped well behind a stablemate of the selection at Windsor on her latest start and hasn't yet shown all she can, with Leo Wood also of interest having shown promise on his sole outing over hurdles in France.