News

Touchwoodexpress to power home at Ludlow

Written by Press Association | Oct 23, 2025 6:48:28 AM

The Twiston-Davies team have made their usual strong start to the jumps season proper and can add to their tally with Touchwoodexpress in the KLF Insurance Brokers Invitational Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow on Thursday.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is usually a good man to follow in the autumn months and while son Willy has now joined him on the licence, there appears to be no change in the modus operandi, with the Naunton team firing in the winners over the past couple of weeks.

Touchwoodexpress himself made a fine start to his campaign, making a successful return to the smaller obstacles in good style at Newton Abbot late last month on what was his first competitive appearance since February.

It has to be a small worry that he was reported to have bled from the nose that day, but the fact he is back in action little over three weeks later suggests connections have seen no lasting effects and he should go well once more.

The feature race of the afternoon in Shropshire is the Corrie Cup Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, in which Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's Yes Day is given the chance to redeem himself.

The seven-year-old looked quite an exciting prospect when coming good over fences with back-to-back wins in March, but he was pulled up twice in the spring and then fell on his return to action here two weeks ago.

However, he was certainly not done with that day and provided the fall has not dented his confidence too much, compensation could be on the cards.

National Hunt fare also comes from Fontwell, where Paul Nicholls is fancied to take out both divisions of the Bet Clever BetGoodwin Maiden Hurdle.

In the first division Exeter bumper winner Maldini Milano has an obvious chance, having done plenty wrong but still finished second on his hurdling bow last month. He should improve enough to go one better.

The Ditcheat handler is represented in the second division by Doctor On Call, who beat a subsequent winner in Just Golden when making a winning start to his career at Hereford last December and could be quite a smart addition to the jumping ranks, albeit his fitness has to be taken on trust after 10 months off.

Flash Rascal catches the eye in the PricedUp Nursery Handicap at Nottingham.

The Havana Grey juvenile looked fairly limited in three summer outings in maiden and novice company, but did shape better when not beaten far into fourth place on his handicap debut at Yarmouth recently, which was also his first start since being gelded and undergoing wind surgery.

Running off the same mark of 67 with Kieran Shoemark in the saddle, Flash Rascal is capable of making his presence felt in a race of this nature.

Jamie Spencer hit the headlines following his Champions Day masterclass aboard 200-1 shot Powerful Glory and partners Nazuki for the first time in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap at Southwell.

Ollie Sangster's filly won twice over this course and distance earlier in the year and while she has failed to add to her tally in three starts in handicap company, she ran her best race of the three when third on her most recent outing at Doncaster in August.

Back on the all-weather on her return from a break, she does not look badly treated off a mark of 80. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips.

NOTTINGHAM: Race 1: 14.30 Gaelic Approach, Race 2: 15.00 Flash Rascal, Race 3: 15.30 Safari Dream, Race 4: 16.00 Ruler Legend, Race 5: 16.30 Lost In Wonder, Race 6: 17.00 Karthala, Race 7: 17.32 Bowling Shane, Race 8: 18.05 Bay Dream Believer.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 14.37 Snatch A Glance, Race 2: 15.07 Loud And Proud, Race 3: 15.37 Dothejive, Race 4: 16.07 Yes Day, Race 5: 16.37 TOUCHWOODEXPRESS (NAP), Race 6: 17.07 Sun Joy, Race 7: 17.37 Chestnut Pete.

FONTWELL: Race 1: 14.45 Maldini Milano, Race 2: 15.15 Doctor On Call, Race 3: 15.45 Dunskay, Race 4: 16.15 Everest, Race 5: 16.45 Goodwin, Race 6: 17.15 He Is A Cracker, Race 7: 17.50 Kopa Kilana.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 17.27 Arlington, Race 2: 18.00 Hello It's Me, Race 3: 18.30 Live Each Day, Race 4: 19.00 Al Durry, Race 5: 19.30 Forest Caper, Race 6: 20.00 Coeur Jaune, Race 7: 20.30 Nazuki, Race 8: 21.00 Advertorial, Race 9: 21.30 Ludo's Landing.

CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 17.45 Argy Bhaji, Race 2: 18.15 So Sassy, Race 3: 18.45 Loose Connection, Race 4: 19.15 Good Old Days, Race 5: 19.45 Twilight Madness, Race 6: 20.15 Summer Heat, Race 7: 20.45 Sapphire Sirocco, Race 8: 21.15 Cinderella Man.

ALL TO COME: Touchwoodexpress (Ludlow, Race 5) and Nazuki (Southwell, Race 7).