Ludlow, Wednesday 22 April 2026 — Tips & Selections

Ludlow, Wednesday 22 April 2026 — Tips & Selections

A six-race card at Ludlow on good ground, and while the fields are modest, there are three races with genuine angles worth exploring. The going should suit a handful of runners who have been crying out for quicker conditions after a winter on soft, and there are enough tactical questions in each race to make it interesting. Here are the selections.

2:30 — Powell & Construction Poultry Buildings Novices' Hurdle (2m, Good)

Selection: Un Sens A La Vie (4/9 Bet365/William Hill)

There is no dressing this up as a betting heat. Un Sens A La Vie is the class act in a field of six and the form book says he wins this if he brings his best. His run behind Old Park Star at Kempton carries serious collateral value given that horse went on to win the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham. He handles good ground well, he has already won over this course and distance, and the step back from a competitive Newbury handicap into calmer waters should see him bounce. Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies have been quiet over the last fortnight, but Sam Twiston-Davies knows this horse inside out and there is no compelling reason to oppose at the prices on offer.

The only market danger is Sonic Pioneer at 4/1. A Kempton juvenile hurdle winner with a decent RPR of 124, he drops back in class after two pulled-up efforts in Grade 2 company. He clearly has ability but needs to prove he gets round, and at the current price he is not value enough to take on the favourite.

Snatch A Glance is respected for the Fergal O'Brien yard which is firing at 7/23 over the past two weeks, and the horse clearly loves Ludlow. A fall three out last time clouds the picture but he was going well at the time. Worth a small saver each-way at 6/1 if you are looking for an alternative angle, but the race is Un Sens A La Vie's to lose.

3:00 — Templar Medical Handicap Hurdle (3m, Good)

Selection: Maximum Offers (7/4 Bet365)

Jamie Snowden's yard has been in decent nick at 4/28 recently and Maximum Offers arrives here off the back of a dominant display at Hereford last Thursday. Yes, that was a three-runner chase, but he won by a long way and the form of staying trips suits him well. The switch back to hurdles and the slight rise in the weights of 5lb should not blunt him significantly given he still looks unexposed at three miles. His RPR of 118 is workable in this seven-runner field and Gavin Sheehan takes the ride again, maintaining continuity.

Tzarmix at 7/2 is the chief threat. He won over this course and distance in December and has been runner-up three times since, including at Market Rasen most recently. He handles good ground, the yard has been struggling in recent weeks but the horse himself is consistent. He could easily fill the place positions at worst.

The Egyptian Ginge is 0-9 but was runner-up on both his last two starts including on handicap debut. He is still learning and there is a bit of raw potential there, but the Twiston-Davies yard is cold and the step up to three miles is unproven. Leave him to prove it first.

3:30 — HR Smith Handicap Chase for the Boyne Cup (3m, Good)

Selection: Annie Express (9/4 Bet365/William Hill)

She goes up 6lb for her win here last month and that makes the handicapper's job look straightforward on paper, but the key detail is that her RPR of 127 was a personal best and she has already won over this course and distance twice. The fact she has figured out Ludlow is a real plus. Toby McCain-Mitchell keeps the ride and while Robbie Llewellyn has been quiet of late, Annie Express is in the form of her life and the good ground is no problem.

Gris Majeur Each-Way at 4/1 is well worth considering in the place positions. All his wins have come on good or good to firm, he was runner-up at Chepstow just 11 days ago, and Sheila Lewis has been in good form at 1/5 over recent weeks. He stays well, the trip suits and he has proven course form. The each-way market over three places at 1/5 makes him a serious option at that price.

Almazhar Garde at 14/1 is an interesting outsider. He won this race last year, he went close at Catterick in November over similar ground and conditions, and the drop back in grade helps. Charlie Longsdon has been in a lean spell but this is a horse who knows the track. Small each-way interest is justified at the double-figure price if you want a longer shot.

Epic West at 7/2 is the most likely market mover but the massive step up in trip after two tailed-off runs either side of a decent second at Warwick makes him hard to trust. There is something to prove before committing money at that price.

Today's NAP