14:07 Ludlow

Thursday 26 February 2026

All13:3214:0714:4215:1715:5216:27

Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) (Handicap Chase) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 7f 171y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

Career best when landing handicap chase at Kempton (24f, good to soft) last season and good third in Pat Taaffe Chase at Punchestown in May. Back to form reverted to hurdling when third at Musselburgh last time and it'll be interesting to see if he can back that up over fences.

Form: 63-PP53

Ballycamus⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| CD

3/1

Sketchy jumper but he was back to his best when landing a 6-runner handicap chase (9/2) at this C&D (soft) 71 days ago, showing the best finishing speed in a steadily-run race. Player from only 1 lb higher.

Form: 14-2791

Galop De Chasse¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 121| C

12/1

Well handicapped on old form but badly out of sorts last season and didn't show much encouragement at Chepstow on his reappearance in December. Yard at least showing better signs at present. Engaged 5.00 Bangor Wednesday.

Form: P4PP-5F

Minella Blueway^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120| CD

7/2

Won this race last season prior to following up from 4 lb higher mark at Uttoxeter. Low-key start to this season but seemed to benefit from a drop in a grade when returned to form when runner-up in a 4-runner handicap chase at Plumpton last month. Merits consideration.

Form: 11-P3F2

Prince Zaltar¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

6/1

Ex-Irish gelding made winning start for Dan Skelton at Newton Abbot handicap hurdle in September and held form well next 3 starts, better than ever back over fences when third at Doncaster in December. Disappointing both starts since (over hurdles last time), though, so others preferred.

Form: 16234P

Aboutdamntime^t,p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 116

11/1

Landed a thin event at Catterick in November and ran at least as well in a better field when a close third at Wetherby over Christmas. Pulled up at Uttoxeter last time, though, so will need to bounce back.

Form: 56-813P

Tommys Charm^p1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 114

9/1

A fair 2m4f hurdles winner who upped his game when close second at Wincanton last January. Very little promise in 3 starts this year, though, and cheekpieces are now reached for.

Form: 2/52-FPP

Rockinastorm³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly| OR: 112| CD

10/3

Had a productive 2024/25 season, scoring over C&D and at Wetherby. Yet to trouble the judge this year, but shaped as if back in form when seventh of 16 at Windsor (28.7f, soft) and is back at a potentially lenient mark at a track where he goes well.

Form: 253-F57

Forecasts

Ballycamus (9/4), Minella Blueway (4/1), Beachcomber (4/1), Prince Zaltar (11/2), Galop De Chasse (10/1), Tommys Charm (12/1), Aboutdamntime (12/1), Rockinastorm (16/1)

Bottom-weight ROCKINASTORM produced his most encouraging effort of the year at Windsor last time and he should prove more effective over this shorter trip, so he's fancied to add to his good Ludlow record. Ballycamus has to be considered from only 1 lb higher than when winning over C&D last time, whilst last year's winner Minella Blueway is also shortlisted.