Hi all,
There’s some good jumps action at Ludlow with a couple of competitive looking handicap chases the highlights of a seven-race card at the Shropshire track.
Ludlow
3:20 – Tintern Theatre returns from a 684-day layoff but he’s well handicapped, 12lb below his last winning mark, if ready to roll. Two from two at Ludlow but may prefer the ground easier than good.
Bigmartre is also down to his last winning mark. No issues with good ground for the top weight as he’s 4-8 +34 on good ground. A 229-day layoff also shouldn’t be an issue either, as he’s 3-5 + 29.63 when returning from a 121+day absence. Stamina for 3m to be proven although this track will be helpful and the yard is among the winners.
Relentless Dreamer’s form figures around here are 521, including a C&D success back in December 2017. The 11-year-old has just had the three starts since winning at Cheltenham in October 2018, off 1lb lower. A dour stayer he may find 3m around here a bit sharp on good ground but a 325-day absence isn’t necessarily negative as he’s 2-5 – 3 places when returning from a 121 to 356-day break.
Verdict: Tintern Theatre is the most intriguing runner given his present mark. The overnight market suggests he will be fit enough after his long absence but how much ability remains. There are stamina doubts about Bigmartre but he’s got his ground and has each way claims.
1pt each way – Bigmartre – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 3 places 1/5 odds).
4:30 – Morning Vicar was still travelling strongly when falling four out at Newbury on his chase debut last December. A winner here over hurdles. He looks capable of winning races over fences off his present mark.
Canelo is one of the most experienced of these over fences and won at the fourth attempt of asking at Huntingdon back in March. That win came on heavy but he’s also won on good ground in the past. Now 6lb higher and faces some unexposed chasing debutants types.
Ruthless Article was well suited to good ground over hurdles 3-9-6 places and looks the type to make up into a chaser.
Back On the Lash ticks the vital course and going boxes being 2-2+9 at Ludlow and 3-7 +17 on good ground. It’s the 6-year-old’s first run for 256-days but he should be ready to roll as he’s 2-3 +16 when returning from a 121+day break.
Now Look At Me is another who goes well on a sound surface. It’s the 6-year-old’s first run since falling over hurdles at Newbury back in December. He’s another who goes well fresh and has scope for improvement.
Demachine shaped with plenty of promise on his four starts over hurdle last season. He’s the type to do a lot better over fences and trainer Kerry Lee is 6-20 30% +21.45 with her runners over fences at the track.
Verdict: A fascinating novices handicap chase. Morning Vicar will surely win races over fences as will the likes of Ruthless Article and Now Look At Me. However, at the prices my two against the field are Back On The Lash and the Demachine.
1pt win – Back On The Lash – 6/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Demachine – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John