Hi all,
A busy weekend of racing begins today.
The most interesting race on Thursday is Ludlow’s Bromfield Sand And Gravel Handicap Chase (4:10). The three mile contest has only attracted six runners but it’s still an intriguing puzzle and you can make some cases for all six runners.
Ludlow
4:10 – Concetto has made all to win his first two starts over fences at Huntingdon and Musselburgh. Now 9lb higher but remains on a good mark in his hat trick bid. The one to beat.
Latitude has placed on all three of his three starts over the larger obstacles and he did win here over hurdles last year. A better chaser than a hurdler, he stays 3m well and looks capable of winning off his present mark.
Head To The Stars is a three time C&D winner and his three best RPR’s have also come over C&D. The latest of his C&D successes came in December 2021. He’s still 3lb higher above his last winning mark but he arguably put in one of his best performances when a 2 ½ length 2nd of 6 over C&D last month. Can be ruled out around here.
Tide Times was dual C&D winner last March including this race. He gained a third C&D success in January, from 1lb lower in January. Pulled up in the Edinburgh National he’s another who has to be respected back over C&D that suits.
Venetia Williams has been struggling for winners, but she had a welcome double at Ffos Last yesterday. She saddles First Figaro. The 13-year-old returns from a 355-day layoff but his form figures returning from a 180+ day layoff are 1121 so he’s one to be interested in.
Verdict: Despite winning his last two starts Concetto remains a staying handicap chaser going the right way and the right favourite. Latitude is another unexposed handicap chaser who looks capable of winning races over fences. Course specialists Tide Times and Head To The Stars can never be ruled out around here. The latter looks held by the former on their running here in January but would have finished closer but for a bad mistake at the last
Showers are forecast which could see a further ease in the ground which won’t inconvenience either First Figaro or Head To The Stars but could the favourite and Tide Times. I’m taking a chance with First Figaro given his record fresh and I’m also tempted into a saver at Head To The Stars given his present odds.
First Figaro – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Head To The Stars – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John