A Proper Test for the Ladies
Right, settle in with your pint because we've got ourselves a cracker of a contest at Ludlow this afternoon. The Summer Plate on Ladies Day might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but by God, it's got everything you want in a proper handicap chase – quality mares, competitive weights, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the line.
This £50,000 prize pot has attracted a field that would grace any track in the land. At 2m 5f 89y on good going, we're looking at a stamina test that'll sort the wheat from the chaff. The novice tag might fool you into thinking this is a soft touch, but don't be daft – these are seasoned campaigners who know their way around a chase course.
The Favourite's Burden
Harry Derham sends Jasmine Bliss to post as the likely favourite, and you can see why the money's flowing her way. This seven-year-old mare has been knocking on the door all season, and that 'distance winner' flag tells you everything about her stamina credentials. Carrying top weight of 12-0 with Paul O'Brien doing the steering, she's got class written all over her.
But here's the rub – that rating of 134 didn't come from nowhere, and the handicapper's given her a proper examination. O'Brien knows these big handicaps inside out, mind you, and if anyone can get a tune out of a mare under pressure, it's him. The tongue tie suggests they're leaving no stone unturned in their preparation.
The danger with Jasmine Bliss is that everyone expects her to win. In my book, that's when mares can let you down most spectacularly. She's proven at the trip, no question, but has she got the tactical speed to overcome that weight burden if the pace is truly run?
The Dangers Lurking
Bluey represents the Emma Lavelle yard, and that's never a name to take lightly in a competitive handicap. This seven-year-old has Harry Cobden in the saddle – a man who's forgotten more about riding mares than most jockeys will ever know. That 'course winner' flag is gold dust at Ludlow, where local knowledge counts for everything.
At 133, she's only a pound behind the favourite but gets a crucial 3lb pull in the weights. That could be the difference between winning and finishing second. Cobden's booking tells you Lavelle fancies this one rotten, and when that combination clicks, they're hard to stop.
Ruby Island brings the experience factor that you can never discount in a race like this. Nine years old and rated 127, she's the type of mare who knows exactly how to win these big handicaps. Danny McMenamin takes the ride, and he's a jockey who never knows when he's beaten. That distance winner flag suggests she'll stay all day, and at 11-7, she's not overburdened.
Don't sleep on All The Glory from the Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill stable. Another course winner with Richie McLernon up, she's the type who could sneak up the rail while the fancied runners are having their battle. At 125, she's well treated if returning to her best form.
The Going and Tactical Considerations
Good going at Ludlow is proper racing ground – fast enough for the speedier types but with enough give to test stamina. This track rewards horses who can jump and gallop, and the extended trip means we'll see a proper staying test unfold.
The pace will be crucial here. With eight runners, there's a danger it could turn into a sprint from the home turn, which would favour the lighter weighted runners. But if it's a true gallop from the start, that's when class tells, and the likes of Jasmine Bliss and Bluey can assert their authority.
Charlie Price on Lunar Discovery is an interesting booking. This mare has been thereabouts without winning lately, but at 11-4, she's got a live chance if finding her A-game.
The Value Pick and Final Verdict
Now, here's where it gets interesting. While everyone's falling over themselves to back Jasmine Bliss, I'm looking at Bluey as the value play in this contest. Emma Lavelle's mare has everything going for her – course form, the right jockey, and a weight that gives her every chance against the favourite.
The combination of Cobden and Lavelle in a competitive mares' handicap is not one to oppose lightly. That course winning form at Ludlow is worth its weight in gold, and I suspect she's been laid out for this race.
For those looking for a bigger price, Ruby Island represents each-way value. Nine years old she might be, but that's prime age for a staying chaser, and McMenamin will have her handy throughout.
My selection is Bluey to get the better of the favourite in what should be a thrilling finish to Ludlow's racecard. She's got the class, the course form, and crucially, the right weight to get the job done.
Who is the favourite for the Summer Plate at Ludlow?
Jasmine Bliss from Harry Derham's yard is expected to start favourite based on her rating of 134 and proven distance form. With Paul O'Brien in the saddle, she represents the class act in the field, though her top weight of 12-0 will make life difficult.
Which jockey has the best record in mares' chases?
Harry Cobden stands out for his exceptional record when riding mares in competitive handicaps. His partnership with Emma Lavelle has produced numerous big-race winners, and his booking for Bluey is particularly significant given her course-winning form at Ludlow.
What makes Ludlow such a unique test for staying chasers?
Ludlow's extended trips and undulating track provide a thorough examination of stamina and jumping ability. The good going conditions will suit horses who can gallop and jump in rhythm, while course experience often proves crucial in competitive handicaps like the Summer Plate.
