The Stage Is Set at Ludlow

Midsummer jump racing doesn't get much better than this. Ludlow rolls out the red carpet on Saturday 18 July for the Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle — a £50,000 Class 2 showpiece that has firmly established itself as one of the most compelling summer jumping prizes on the calendar. Thirteen geldings (and one gutsy mare) line up over 2 miles and 125 yards on what promises to be Good ground, and with ratings ranging from 112 to 133, the competitive heat in this field is absolutely searing.

This is the kind of race that makes you lean forward in your seat. Big-name trainers, elite jockeys, and horses who know how to win — it's all here. Check out the full Ludlow racecard for the complete picture, but right now let's dive deep into what matters most: who wins this thing?

The Leading Contenders — Who Holds the Aces?

1. Indemnity (6yo, Emma Lavelle / Ben Jones, 12-0, Rating 133)

Top weight. Top rating. And crucially — a course and distance winner. Emma Lavelle's six-year-old arrives here with every box ticked for a race like this. Ben Jones takes the ride and he'll know exactly what he's sitting on — a horse who has already conquered this track and this trip. Carrying 12-0 is never a trivial ask in summer ground, but Indemnity's profile screams confidence. Lavelle is a trainer who picks her spots carefully, and bringing this horse back to a track where he's already won tells you everything about the intent here. The one to beat.

2. Moon Chime (8yo, Killahena & McPherson / Nick Slatter, 12-0, Rating 133)

Sharing top weight with Indemnity, Moon Chime is a fascinating runner from the unusual dual-training partnership of David Killahena and Graeme McPherson. The eight-year-old is a distance winner and arrives in the tongue tie, suggesting connections have found a setup that suits him. Nick Slatter takes the reins and will need to produce a polished round of jumping to keep up with the pace this field will generate. At his age, Moon Chime needs everything to fall right — but on his best form, he absolutely can.

3. Howth (7yo, Tom Lacey / Brendan Powell, 11-5, Rating 124)

Here's a horse who has done it all at Ludlow — course and distance winner — and gets in 9lb lighter than the top two. Tom Lacey is one of the shrewdest operators in the jumping game, and Howth wearing a tongue tie signals that connections are serious about getting a tune out of him. Brendan Powell is no stranger to big-race pressure and will be eyeing that weight advantage keenly. If Good ground suits him, Howth could be the value play lurking just off the radar.

4. Louis Veron (5yo, Dan Skelton / Harry Skelton, 11-5, Rating 124)

Dan Skelton sends out two runners in this race, and Louis Veron — piloted by the brilliant Harry Skelton — looks like the stable's number one hope. At just five years old, Louis Veron has youth and upside on his side. No headgear, no form flags limiting the narrative — this is a horse whose best racing may still be ahead of him. Harry Skelton at his peak is one of the most clinical finishers in the sport, and if Louis Veron has been primed for this moment, he's a very serious danger indeed.

5. Newtown Rambler (7yo, Adrian Keatley / Oakley Brown, 11-5, Rating 124)

Trained by Adrian Keatley and ridden by the improving Oakley Brown, Newtown Rambler wears a tongue tie and carries 11-5 into a race where he'll need to prove himself against proven course performers. The Irish-trained angle always adds intrigue — Keatley doesn't ship horses across the water without believing they can be competitive. One to watch at a potential each-way price.

6. Squeezebox (7yo, Tom Lacey / Stan Sheppard, 11-0, Rating 119)

Tom Lacey's second string, Squeezebox, is a course and distance winner — and that matters enormously at a track as unique as Ludlow. Wearing a hood and tongue tie, he's clearly a horse who needs managing, but Stan Sheppard is more than capable of doing that. At 11-0 he gets in with a lovely weight, and if the hood sharpens his focus on Good ground, Squeezebox could easily outrun his odds.

Going and Conditions — Who Does Good Ground Suit?

The Good going at Ludlow on Saturday is a significant factor. Summer jumping surfaces reward horses with a clean, fluent jumping style and the stamina to maintain gallop through the final stages. This is not a track or a going that suits plodders — you need horses who travel well through their races and jump efficiently.

Indemnity and Howth have already shown they handle this course and this type of ground. Louis Veron's profile as a lightly-raced, athletic five-year-old also points to Good ground being in his favour. Moon Chime's age means you'd want to see him handle the quicker surface, while Squeezebox's course form gives him an obvious edge over those visiting Ludlow for the first time.

It's also worth noting the GBB Race designation — this is a bonus race under the Great British Bonus scheme, meaning connections of eligible horses have extra financial incentive to target this prize. That sharpens the competitive intent across the whole field.

Value Picks and Dangers to the Principals

Beyond the headline acts, a few runners deserve a mention as potential spoilers:

  • Mojito des Mottes (4yo, Ben Pauling / Harry Cobden) — The youngest in the field at four, but Harry Cobden doesn't take rides without believing in them. A tongue tie and a light weight of 10-9 makes him an intriguing each-way option if Pauling has found his best form.
  • Letterston Lily (6yo, Mickey Bowen / James Bowen) — The sole mare in the field, trained and ridden by the Bowen family. Mares can run huge races at big prices in these summer handicaps, and the Bowen combination is never to be underestimated.
  • Morning Mayhem (5yo, Nick Scholfield / Kielan Woods) — A distance winner without headgear, Morning Mayhem could outperform his rating of 120 if Scholfield has him cherry-ripe for this assignment.

My Selection — The Tip

It comes down to this: Indemnity is the horse to be on. Course form, distance form, a top trainer firing with intent, and Ben Jones in the saddle — this is a horse who has already shown he can do it at Ludlow under pressure. Yes, 12-0 is a burden, but Emma Lavelle wouldn't be here if she didn't believe her horse could carry it.

For each-way value, Howth is the one I'm most excited about. Nine pounds lighter than the top two, proven at course and distance, and Tom Lacey in excellent form. If Brendan Powell can get him jumping fluently from the front, he could make this a very long afternoon for the market leaders.

My tip: Indemnity (EW: Howth)

Conclusion — Don't Miss a Moment

The Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle at 14:10 on Saturday 18 July is shaping up to be an absolute cracker. Thirteen runners, serious prize money, and a cast of characters that reads like a who's who of summer jumping talent. Whether you're trackside at Ludlow or watching from home, make sure you're tuned in from the moment the tape goes up.

Get the full form and runners on the Ludlow racecard — and back your fancy with confidence. This is what summer racing is all about.

Who Is the Favourite for the Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) (GBB Race)?

Indemnity is expected to head the market as the top-rated runner at 133 and a proven course and distance winner trained by Emma Lavelle. Moon Chime shares the top weight and rating but is likely to be marginally bigger in the betting given the age factor. Louis Veron, with Harry Skelton aboard for the powerful Dan Skelton yard, could also attract significant market support as a lightly-raced improver.

Is Ludlow a Good Track for Hurdlers in Summer?

Absolutely. Ludlow is a right-handed, galloping track that suits strong-travelling, fluent jumpers — exactly the type that thrives on Good summer ground. The course has a well-deserved reputation for producing competitive summer jumping cards, and the Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle has grown into one of the most prestigious prizes of the mid-season jumping calendar.

What Does the GBB Race Designation Mean for the Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle?

The GBB (Great British Bonus) designation means that eligible British-bred horses who win or place in this race can earn a significant bonus payment on top of the standard prize money. With £50,000 already on the line, the GBB status adds another layer of financial incentive for connections — and helps explain why so many top stables have targeted this race with their best summer hurdlers.