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Diamond Du Berlais should sparkle at Ludlow

February 2026

Willie and Patrick Mullins can make a successful raid on Ludlow on Wednesday with French recruit Diamond Du Berlais.

Record-breaking amateur Patrick rode a winner on his only previous visit to the Shropshire circuit, part of his ongoing quest to record a triumph at every National Hunt track in Britain, and he will be widely expected to double his tally on his return.

Diamond Du Berlais brings a high level of form to the table in the C M Bespoke Care Mares' Maiden Hurdle, having performed well in defeat in Graded company at Auteuil on multiple occasions.

The handicapper has given her an official rating of 132 ahead of her first start for new connections and if that mark proves accurate, she should have far too much for these rivals.

Paul Nicholls has been firing in the winners in recent days and the Ditcheat handler appears to have found Toothless a good opportunity to add to his tally in the Attwood Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old has won four of his 16 starts to date and while he was a moderate fifth on his return from 19 months off the track at Wincanton last month, that run served a purpose and he looked far sharper when scoring with quite a bit in hand at Windsor on New Year's Day.

The second and third have not done much for the form since and Toothless is up 5lb in the weights, but he should go well nevertheless.

Sallyville Lady has to be of huge interest in the Late Roy Kneller 85th Birthday Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Dan Skelton's winning point-to-pointer has finished third and second respectively on her first couple of starts under rules, most recently bumping into a smart mare in Coolanna, who has won again since.

Sallyville Lady now moves into handicap company off what looks a very workable mark of 111 for a top team and it will be disappointing if she is not involved at the business end of proceedings.

Jumping action also comes from Sedgefield, where dual bumper winner Swingingonthesteel is given a second chance to prove his worth over the smaller obstacles in the Paxtons Serving Farmers Since 1853 Maiden Hurdle.

Another winning pointer, this six-year-old won a couple of National Hunt Flat races last season, including one at this venue, but was bitterly disappointing as a long odds-on favourite for his hurdling debut here in November.

He was clearly not himself that day, but has been given plenty of time since and with a hood fitted he merits another chance for local trainer Rebecca Menzies.

The Lost King can make it back-to-back wins on the all-weather at Kempton in the Bet £20 Get £20 With Unibet Handicap.

The son of Kingman did well to achieve a rating of 90 given how keen he was in his early races, but after finishing down the field in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last summer the decision was made to geld him.

He returned over 1400m here in early January and looked far more amenable before picking up well to run down and beat a very useful yardstick in the 94-rated Popmaster.

With just six lifetime starts under his belt, The Lost King is open to further improvement and a 1lb hike for his latest win looks more than fair.

It will be fascinating to see how Sintra performs on debut in the Win £250,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Maiden Stakes at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding's colt has a beautiful pedigree, being a son of Kingman out of Goldika, making him a half-brother to the useful Windlord. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 14.50 Galaxy Wonder, Race 2: 15.25 Star Obsession, Race 3: 16.00 The Lost King, Race 4: 16.35 Portoro, Race 5: 17.10 Echalar, Race 6: 17.45 Imperial Trooper, Race 7: 18.15 Respectable Jack.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 15.13 King Al, Race 2: 15.48 DIAMOND DU BERLAIS (NAP), Race 3: 16.23 Sherminator, Race 4: 16.58 Toothless, Race 5: 17.33 Sallyville Lady, Race 6: 18.07 Shuil Ceoil, Race 7: 18.42 Barton Snow.

SEDGEFIELD: Race 1: 15.32 Swingingonthesteel, Race 2: 16.07 Too Cool Forshrule, Race 3: 16.42 Vampire Slayer, Race 4: 17.17 Supreme George, Race 5: 17.52 Dillarchie, Race 6: 18.28 Jukebox Joker.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 18.23 Mr Nippy, Race 2: 19.00 Laurens Dream, Race 3: 19.30 Yorkshire Glory, Race 4: 20.00 Wingstar, Race 5: 20.30 Hayynah, Race 6: 21.00 Mission Command, Race 7: 21.30 Sintra, Race 8: 22.00 Wrist Art, Race 9: 22.30 Sherlock.

ALL TO COME: Diamond Du Berlais and Sallyville Lady (Ludlow, Races 2 and 5).

 

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