A Proper Friday Afternoon at Ludlow — Don't Let Anyone Tell You Summer Jump Racing Is Dull

Right, settle in and pull up a stool, because Ludlow is serving up a cracking seven-race card this Friday afternoon and I'll not hear a word said against summer jumping. Good ground, a feature race worth twenty-five grand, and a bumper to round off the evening? There are worse ways to spend a Friday, I'll tell you that for nothing.

The going is Good — and that's proper Good, not that mealy-mouthed "Good to Soft in places" nonsense that trainers use as an excuse when their horse gets beaten. This is genuine, fair summer ground that'll suit a handy, athletic type rather than your big, lumbering mud-lovers. Keep that firmly in mind as we work through the Ludlow racecard.

The Feature Race: The Summer Plate Trial Handicap Chase (15:55, Class 3, £25k)

This is the one that matters today. A £25,000 pot, Class 3 company, and a field of six (one non-runner in Bleu d'Enfer, who Donald McCain has wisely kept at home) — this has the makings of a proper scrap over two and a half miles.

Mahons Glory heads the weights at a lofty 139 and is the one everyone will be talking about in the morning papers. A ten-year-old with course form, trained by Dylan Cunha and ridden by Lee Edwards — and look, I won't dismiss him entirely, because a horse rated 139 in a Class 3 has obvious claims. But here's my concern: he's a decade old, it's June, and Good ground doesn't always flatter the old warriors who've done their best work in the deep stuff. Watch him in the paddock before you commit your mortgage.

Now, the one who genuinely excites me here is Bhaloo. Eight years old, rated 133, trained by Nicky Henderson — and that last detail is not something you gloss over. Henderson doesn't send horses to Ludlow on a Friday in June for the craic. He sends them because he thinks they'll win. Bhaloo holds course and distance form [C,D], and James Bowen is in the saddle — a combination that fills me with considerable confidence. Good ground will suit a Henderson-trained chaser down to the ground, and at a mark of 133, he's got weight in his favour against Mahons Glory. This is my nap of the day.

Genois at 126 for the Jonjo O'Neill yard with Harry Cobden up is not one to ignore either. Cobden is a man who knows what he's doing over fences, and a ten-year-old with experience on his side could run a big race at a competitive price. If Bhaloo has an off day, Genois could be the one mopping up.

Key Runners to Watch Across the Card

13:30 — Maiden Hurdle: Royal Rocket Each-Way

The opening maiden hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs has a bit of intrigue to it. Getaway Vic is the highest-rated runner at 108 and has experience on his side, but the one I'd be keeping a close eye on is Royal Rocket for Emma Lavelle, ridden by Harry Cobden. Rated 103, five years old, and trained by one of the most underrated handlers in the south — Lavelle knows how to have a horse ready for a summer campaign. Good ground suits a fresh, young type, and I wouldn't be shocked to see Royal Rocket go very close here. Each-way at a price, if you can get it.

Keep an eye too on Kiwi de Cotte for the Dan Skelton yard. Unrated, which means we're flying a little blind, but Harry Skelton doesn't ride no-hopers at tracks like this. If the Skelton team have targeted this race, there's a reason for it.

14:05 — Handicap Hurdle: Muskerry Rock Hard to Oppose

A ten-runner Class 5 handicap hurdle and the form book points firmly at Muskerry Rock — top-rated at 100, Dan Skelton trained, and Harry Skelton in the irons again. The Skelton operation in full flight on Good ground is a formidable thing, and I'd want a very good reason to be against them here. Cinderello [D] has course form worth noting, but Muskerry Rock looks the class act in this field.

15:15 — Mares' Handicap Hurdle: Beorma Each-Way

The mares' hurdle over two miles is a lovely little puzzle. Hello Sweety heads the market on ratings at 104, but it's Beorma at 102 who catches my eye — course winner [D], Harry Skelton in the saddle, Dan Skelton trained. On Good ground over a trip she's proven at, this mare has every right to go well. The Secret Pearl [C,D] also holds course and distance form for Alex Hales, and Gavin Sheehan aboard Miracles Do Happen is never a jockey you want to dismiss lightly. This could be a cracking little race.

16:30 — Handicap Hurdle: Midnight Pass Each-Way

Twelve runners in the Class 5 handicap hurdle and it's a minefield, frankly. But Midnight Pass for Emma Lavelle catches the eye — five years old, rated 91, and James Bowen takes the ride. A young horse on Good summer ground with a quality jockey up? That's a combination I'll have a small interest in. Vivid Pink for Alan King is also interesting — Tom Bellamy knows the track and the horse is rated 99, which gives him a solid chance off the top of the weights.

How the Good Ground Changes Everything

I want to hammer this point home, because it genuinely matters today. Good ground in June at Ludlow is not the same as Good ground in October. The track rides quick, the bends are fair, and you want a horse that moves well and jumps fluently rather than one who relies on bottomless conditions to grind out a result.

That's precisely why I'm so sweet on Bhaloo in the feature — Henderson horses are invariably well-schooled and athletic, and a mark of 133 on this surface is entirely workable. It's also why I'd be wary of some of the older, heavier-framed horses in the handicap chases. Getaway Jewel in the 14:40 is twelve years old — God love him, but Good ground in June is not his friend.

Equally, the bumper at 17:05 will be won by a horse who moves well on a decent surface. Fine Thing for Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton is the one I'd be watching — the Skeltons have a habit of producing well-prepared bumper horses, and a five-year-old on Good ground in a six-runner field is an interesting proposition to close the day.

Best Bets Summary — Tom's Picks

  • NAP: Bhaloo (15:55) — Nicky Henderson, James Bowen, course and distance form, Good ground suits. This is the one.
  • NEXT BEST: Muskerry Rock (14:05) — Skelton operation at full tilt, top-rated in the field, hard to see past him.
  • EACH-WAY: Royal Rocket (13:30) — Harry Cobden, Emma Lavelle, Good ground, five-year-old with upside. Take a chance.
  • EACH-WAY: Beorma (15:15) — Course winner, Harry Skelton, mares' race with a competitive look but she's proven here.
  • WATCH: Fine Thing (17:05) — Skelton bumper horse to close the card. If the price is right, have a small interest.

That's your Friday sorted. Get the Ludlow racecard up on your phone, back Bhaloo in the feature, and enjoy the racing. Good luck to all — except the bookmakers, obviously. They can look after themselves.