Good Going Sets Up Cracking Card at Ludlow
Jaysus, what a treat we have in store at Ludlow this Tuesday afternoon! Eight races on good going - and when I say good, I mean proper good, the kind that'll have the speedier sorts licking their lips while still giving the stayers a fair crack of the whip. The Shropshire track is looking a picture, and with £50k up for grabs in the feature mares' premier handicap chase, we're in for some serious sport.
The Ludlow racecard reads like a who's who of jumping talent, from the amateur ranks through to the seasoned professionals. Good going at Ludlow is an absolute gift - it'll play fair to all types, though I'd lean slightly towards those with a bit of zip in their legs rather than the dour stayers who need it soft as butter.
Feature Race: £50k Mares' Premier Handicap Chase (17:05)
Sweet mother of pearl, what a race this is! Eight mares going to post for £50k over two and a half miles - this is the kind of contest that separates the wheat from the chaff. Jasmine Bliss tops the weights on 134, and rightly so. This seven-year-old has been knocking on the door at a higher level, and Paul O'Brien knows his way around Ludlow better than most.
But hold your horses before you pile into the favourite! Bluey for Emma Lavelle is a fascinating runner at 133. Harry Cobden in the saddle is never a bad sign, and this mare has that lovely progressive profile that screams 'ready to strike'. The course and distance winner tag next to her name isn't there for decoration - she's proven at this track.
Ruby Island brings bags of experience at nine years old, and at 127 she's getting a decent chunk of weight from the principals. Danny McMenamin has been riding with confidence lately, and this old girl knows exactly what's required in a race like this.
Amateur Jockeys' Chase: Where Dreams Are Made
The opening amateur riders' chase at 13:35 might not have the prize money of the feature, but by God, it'll have the heart and soul. Mr Cian Murphy aboard Hurricane Bay is one to watch - this lad can ride a finish, and the ten-year-old has course form that reads well.
Don't sleep on Miss Venetia Thompson and Ladronne though. Twelve years old he might be, but he's a warrior, and Miss Thompson has been riding with real confidence this season. The combination of the Parkinson & Smith yard and a jockey in form is not to be taken lightly.
Miss Gina Andrews gets the leg up on Mt Fugi Park for the O'Neill team, and you'd be a fool to dismiss anything from that stable. Eight years old and rated 118, he's right in the mix if he brings his A-game.
Maidens and Handicaps: Where Value Lurks
The mares' maiden hurdle at 14:10 has Diamonds Galore as the standout on ratings at 112 for Nicky Henderson. James Bowen in the plate is a positive, and Henderson's runners at this level usually know their job. But maiden hurdles are notorious for throwing up surprises, and at the prices, I'd be having a sneaky look at Flying Pimpernel for Jamie Snowden.
In the 15:20 handicap hurdle, Hans Lippershey for Ben Case looks well treated on 105. Jack Quinlan knows how to get a tune out of this type, and the five-year-old profile suggests there could be more to come. The good going will suit down to the ground.
That novices' handicap chase at 16:30 is a proper puzzle. Cuban Court and Southoftheborder are locked together on 117, but I fancy Kayce Dutton each-way at the prices. James Bowen takes the ride for the Pogson team, and the course winner tag suggests he handles the unique challenges Ludlow presents.
Bumper to Close: Henderson's Ace Card
The closing bumper might be worth peanuts in prize money, but it's often where we see the stars of tomorrow. Numero Ventotto for Nicky Henderson with Nico de Boinville aboard screams class. Four years old and unraced, but when Henderson sends one to a track like Ludlow for their debut, you sit up and take notice.
Sea Lord for James Tate is another interesting runner. Gavin Sheehan wouldn't be wasting his time on a no-hoper, and at six years old, this one should be ready to do his talking on the track.
Tom's Verdicts: The Ones to Follow
Right, here's the craic. In the feature race, I'm siding with Bluey each-way - the combination of Lavelle, Cobden, and course form is too tempting to ignore. For the amateur chase, Mt Fugi Park represents the O'Neill team beautifully, and Miss Gina Andrews is riding with real confidence.
Diamonds Galore should take care of business in the mares' maiden, while Hans Lippershey looks the value call in the competitive handicap hurdle. And if you're having a punt in the bumper, Numero Ventotto could be anything for the Henderson team.
The good going plays into the hands of the more athletic types today, so don't be afraid to side with class and speed over pure stamina. It's going to be a cracking afternoon's sport - just the way we like it!
