A Grand Day Out in Shropshire
Sweet mother of pearl, what a card Ludlow served up on this Friday afternoon! Six races of proper National Hunt fare on good ground - the kind of day that reminds you why we fell in love with the jumping game in the first place. From maiden hurdlers finding their feet to seasoned handicappers plying their trade, today's Ludlow racecard had everything a jumps racing enthusiast could want.
The going stayed a lovely good throughout, which suited the progressive types down to the ground. Harry Skelton and Sean Bowen were the jockeys to follow, both riding with the kind of confidence that suggests they knew something the rest of us didn't. When those two lads are in this kind of form, you'd be wise to pay attention.
The Feature Event: Summer Plate Preview Stakes
The £20,000 Summer Plate handicap chase over two miles and seven furlongs was the day's feature, and by God, it didn't disappoint for quality. Courtland went off the jolly under Sean Bowen, and you can see why connections fancy him for bigger things. Rated 132 and carrying the 'C' for course winner, this fellow has the class to make his mark in better company.
But the horse that caught my eye was Classic King with Harry Cobden in the saddle. Rated 128 and looking every inch a progressive chaser, this one screams 'follow me' for the rest of the season. The way he traveled through the race suggested there's plenty more to come, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him popping up in a decent handicap at Cheltenham or Aintree before long.
Annsam ran his usual honest race under Ben Jones - this old warrior never knows when he's beaten. At 130, he's probably found his level, but he's the kind of horse that makes jumping what it is. Pure heart and determination.
Victor Lucas Memorial: A Puzzle Worth Solving
The Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle was a right puzzle with eleven runners spread across just 16 pounds. Huffin An A Puffin topped the weights at 121, but it was the middle-distance specialists that had me reaching for the notebook.
Idefix de Ciergues is a name to remember - this French import under Oscar Palmer has been knocking on the door in similar company. The 'D' next to his name shows he's a course debutant, but that won't bother a horse of his caliber. These French-bred stayers often improve for a change of scenery, and Ludlow's undulating track should suit his style perfectly.
Coumeenoole with Harry Skelton aboard caught the eye too. Another with the 'D' for course debutant, this one has the look of a horse who'll appreciate the longer trip. Skelton doesn't waste his time on no-hopers, and at 117, this fellow looks well treated for what he might achieve.
The Skelton Factor
Speaking of Harry Skelton, the man was everywhere today - five rides across the card shows the faith trainers have in his judgment. When you see Skelton's name against a horse multiple times on the same card, you know he's found a rich vein of form. His mount Edelak in the opener looked a typical Skelton special - a maiden with scope for improvement.
Ones to Follow: The Notebook Horses
If you're looking for horses to follow from today's action, start with Made All from the novices' handicap hurdle. Jonathan England in the saddle and rated 95, this one has the profile of a horse who'll win his share of races through the summer months. The name suggests he likes to dominate from the front, and on good ground, that's often a winning formula.
Jasmin de Cotte in the handicap chase is another for the tracker. Harry Skelton again, rated 105, and with the look of a horse who's still learning his trade over fences. These are the kind of horses that can find significant improvement as they gain experience, and Skelton's booking suggests there's more to come.
Don't sleep on Nottodaybobo in the conditional jockeys' race either. What a name! Joshua Thompson takes the ride on this 95-rated hurdler, and in a race restricted to the claiming riders, class often tells. This one could be a live outsider in similar company.
The French Connection
There's a lovely trend of French imports making their mark in British racing, and today's card featured several. These horses often bring different tactical approaches and stamina reserves that can catch the home-trained brigade cold. Bouquet de Paris with Sean Bowen is one to keep an eye on - that's a combination that screams value for money.
Looking Ahead: Where Next?
The beauty of a card like today's is that it gives you a proper insight into the summer jumping season ahead. Many of these horses will rock up at the smaller tracks over the coming months, and if you've done your homework here at Ludlow, you'll be ahead of the game.
The progressive handicappers from today will likely target similar prizes at Worcester, Newton Abbot, and the summer meetings. The maiden hurdlers who showed promise will be back for novice events, probably with significantly shorter odds than they went off at today.
That's the joy of following the smaller tracks - you get to see horses at the start of their journey rather than the end. Today at Ludlow reminded us why Friday afternoon racing can be just as rewarding as any Saturday spectacular. Sometimes the best stories are written away from the spotlight, on good ground in Shropshire, with jockeys and horses who know their trade inside out.
Roll on the next Friday card - this game never stops giving if you know where to look.
