16:35 Ludlow

Wednesday 18 February 2026

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

Farm And Garden Machinery Ltd Overgrown Hedges Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 4m 11.52s

Icare Colombe^p1³³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 97

11/2

Maiden who ran bit better than previously over fences when fourth of 9 in handicap at Market Rasen (5/1) last month, making good progress end of back straight before weakening from 2 out. First-time cheekpieces applied and could take another step forward.

Form: 357-554

Count Adhemar²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 94

4/1

Lightly-raced maiden who showed a bit more on handicap/chase debut when fifth at Catterick last month. Can build on that with drop back in trip a positive.

Form: 63-355

Model Approach¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 95| D

100/1

Dual juvenile hurdler winner for Adrian Keatley. Back in form when second in Newton Abbot selling handicap in September (only run for Daisy Hitchens) but well below that level in 5 outings for this yard since.

Form: 250807

Falco Des Pins¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 90

10/11

Second in a big-field hurdle on final start for previous connections in France. Didn't show much in 4 starts in handicap hurdles last term but stepped up from return/chase debut when third at Taunton earlier in the month (had breathing operation prior). Fancied with yard showing signs of a revival.

Form: P888-63

Make Sunshine^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: R Potter| OR: 83

40/1

Fell heavily on comeback in December and pulled up on both runs since. Without a win in 17 races, but booking of Sam Twiston-Davies on her chasing bow offers some cause for optimism, and she's one to note should support come given connections.

Form: 3-36FPP

O'Grady's Hill^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 83

40/1

Point winner who was runner-up in a bumper/maiden hurdles for Harry Derham in summer 2024. However, she hasn't made a positive start for her new yard, well beaten on both starts in this sphere last month.

Form: 264-545

Blackijo Dagrostis^t,p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 82

17/2

Still a maiden and he went with no more zest for the fitting of cheekpieces at Warwick 7 weeks ago. Leap of faith required to get involved.

Form: 6244P5

Jackson's Bay²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 75

7/1

Maiden who finished closer than previously when third of 6 in handicap at Newton Abbot (16.8f, soft) in September. Well below that level in 2 starts since and needs this switch to the larger obstacles to spark a revival.

Form: 45-P397

Forecasts

Falco Des Pins (10/11), Count Adhemar (4/1), Icare Colombe (11/2), Jackson's Bay (7/1), Blackijo Dagrostis (17/2), O'Grady's Hill (40/1), Make Sunshine (40/1), Model Approach (100/1)

Venetia Willams has endured an extremely lean season by her high standards, but there were more positive signs over the weekend and FALCO DES PINS is taken to open his account having shown more after a breathing operation when third at Taunton just over a fortnight ago. This drop back to 2m should suit Count Adhemar, so he's put forward as the main threat, with Icare Colombe seeming best of the rest.