LUDLOW
4:50 TURFTV HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 3) (4yo+,0-120) 2m5f
MEXICAN BOB 11-12 ~ Finished last of the finishers in the Imperial Cup but chances are the Alan King trained 5yo didn’t enjoy his first try in a competitive big field handicap. Dropped back in class today this is a much weaker race and one in which the gelding should have a perfect opportunity to bounce back to form. This is only his second run in a handicap hurdle and judging by his win in a novice hurdle at Taunton he could be reasonably handicapped. He had to carry a double penalty that day so was giving weight to the field. The 2nd Blacktorn Boy has since won a maiden and was leading when failing at the last in a novice hurdle at Sandown. The 3rd Australia Day has since run in a handicap at Taunton where he franked Mexican Bobs form by finishing only a couple of lengths behind his stable mate Mexican Pete. That stable companion finished 8th in the Imperial Cup when the apparent string of the pair on jockey bookings. It all points towards the impression that Mexican Bob is a capable young hurdler but for whatever reason he didn’t run his race at Sandown. This is a perfect opportunity to bounce back and he has to be respected.
BISHOP’S BRIDGE 11-12 ~ Some 20lbs lower over hurdles than he is over fences but that has never been an angle to get over excited about. He has decent form over hurdles but that was two years ago so it remains to be seen whether he still possesses enough pace for hurdles. On the flip side he has improved this season, as his fine effort in a competitive Cheltenham handicap proves. He was leading at the last but didn’t relish the challenge of the Cheltenham hill and faded. However the horse has shown a tendency to not finish off his races well and after dropping down to 2 miles to try to solve this he wasn’t pressed to win a weak handicap at Huntingdon. He hasn’t really shown much since but that is likely due to the handicapper slamming him for his dominating performance at Huntingdon. He’s had a break and he can go well fresh so definitely not without a chance on his lenient handicap mark over timber.
IN MEDIA RES 11-7 ~ Came back from almost two years out at Sandown where he made his debut for Charlie Longsdon. He was talented for Nicky Henderson and his new trainer is more than capable of recapturing his old form but the 7yo gelding didn’t really encourage when pulled up on his reappearance. He should be fitter for that effort but unless there is strong confidence in the market he can’t be backed with confidence that he is the same horse he once was.
LINCOLN’S INN 11-7 ~ But for winning a maiden hurdle the son of Old Vic hadn’t really shown much else. That was until he managed to finish 2nd in a Huntingdon handicap in testing ground. However that has subsequently looked a poor race so it was a much improved effort when finishing runner-up in a better race next time out, again at Huntingdon. The front two pulled clear of the field and the winner Gustavo has since given the form a very strong look. The geldings proximity to the easy winner definitely flatters the Phillip Hobbs horse but it was still an improved and encouraging effort from the 6yo. He was raised 6lbs in the ratings for that and despite things not going well next time out at Sandown he still looks vulnerable with plenty to pick at in the form. He isn’t without a chance though and if things go his way, or at least better than at Sandown, then he could well continue progressing.
NAJCA DE THAIX 11-3 ~ The Emma Lavelle 7yo won a weak handicap hurdle at Folkestone at the turn of the year for which he was put up 7lbs by the handicapper. He struggled off his new mark and was sent chasing after two poor runs over timber. He took advantage of his 16lbs lower mark over fences and he ran out a wide margin winner in a decent race for the grade at Plumpton. Things will be tougher now back over hurdles off his current mark and despite Timmy Murphy catching the eye he is taken on in this company.
FESTIVE CHIMES 11-2 ~ Neil Kings 7yo mare has looked regressive since running a decent race in a competitive handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last summer. The handicapper has reacted by continuing to drop her in the ratings but she hasn’t shown anything in two runs this season to suggest she is capable of taking advantage of this.
ABERDEEN PARK 11-0 ~Showed improved form when joining the Venetia Williams yard and recorded two impressive wins before disappointing at Wincanton. Excuses can be made for her last run as it could have come too soon after her Plumpton win. Connections were running the horse again before she could be hit by the handicapper but like many horses she couldn’t follow up. She has been freshened up since that run so not unreasonable to think she can bounce back. If the 6yo mare can she will prove a big danger to all concerned as her win at Plumpton marked her down as a progressive horse. Although not the greatest of races it was more the manner of her victory that was impressive and she has the potential to defy her 13lbs hike in the ratings.
KEY PHIL 10-12 ~ A decent handicap chaser two seasons ago but he had been plying his trade over timber this season. It soon became quite apparent though that he is a much better horse over the larger obstacles. This was confirmed when he bounced back to form at Newbury when sent chasing again. He fell last time out though so this might be a confidence booster before the resumption of his chasing career. He is 21lbs lower over hurdles than he is over fences but he still doesn’t look well handicapped given his hurdle efforts. The only race over timber in which he has shown anything was in a weak Worcester novice hurdle two years ago so he is confidently passed over.
OLYMPIAN 10-11 ~ The Charlie Longsdon 6yo gelding didn’t show much in the way of form in two hurdle races before stepping into a handicap for the first time. He showed improved form as he finished 2nd to Big Rob with the front two pulling well clear of the field. The form looked decent and the handicapper agrees having hit him with a 12lbs hike in the weights. That looked thoroughly deserved so he could have been expected so run well in a Folkestone maiden next time out but he was very disappointing when finishing well down the field in 7th. He needs to bounce back from that poor effort but the return to handicap company may help his chances.
SMART JOHN 10-9 ~ Another who improved once stepped into handicap company and he ran a good race to finish 2nd at Wetherby. That doesn’t look a bad race for the grade and he is running off the same mark today so not without a chance of running into the placings despite this being a tougher race.
BENNYNTHEJETS 10-9 ~ Comes into contention after his 7th in a Market Rasen novice hurdle that has worked out very well and his win in a maiden hurdle. In his maiden hurdle win the front two pulled well clear of the field and the 2nd Gee Dee has won since. On his last run Bennynthejets was stepped in handicap company for the first time at Catterick but over the extended 3 miles he didn’t get home. This track and trip should suit him a lot better and he comes into the race with realistic chances.
SWAMPY BLUE 10-2 ~ Interesting runner from the handicap King Tony Martin as he seldom sends his horses to Ludlow. Only 2 runners but he has yet to record his first victory but this lightly raced 10yo gelding is given the task of changing that. He was last seen at Taunton when running a funny race to finish 2nd after getting detached and then coming back before finding little. It wasn’t the first time he has run a bizarre race so he doesn’t look a horse to overly rely on. The winner of that Taunton race, in which he finished runner-up, has since made the form look very good by winning and going close in two reasonable handicaps. He has to enter calculations especially given his connections and if putting it all in he will be the one they all have to beat but he has yet to win a race and might have his own ideas about this game.
HOH NELSON 10-0 ~ Only career win came over 3 years ago in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham. Connections have been trying the larger obstacles recently but the son of Halling didn’t enjoy that challenge and from 3lbs out of the handicap he looks up against it back over timber.
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Mexican Bob, Bishop’s Bridge, Aberdeen Park, Olympian, Smart John, Bennynthejets and Swampy Blue.
The Tony Martin trained Swampy Blue probably holds the key to this race as he could have any amount of improvement in him and could prove very well handicapped. However there isn’t any confidence behind him in the market and he has looked a very quirky horse so not one to rely on.
Three of the horses have only had one start in handicap company and they are Olympian, Smart John and Bennynthejets.
Olympian has been raised 12lbs in the handicap for his 2nd in a Huntingdon handicap and although that was encouraging form his run next time out in a maiden was disappointing. He’ll need to bounce back and he could back in handicap company but a percentage call to take on in this competitive race.
Smart John is turned out quickly after a good 2nd in his first try in handicap company at Wetherby. Worry is though that this may come too soon and it was an average race in which he was well beaten by the winner.
Bennynthejets looks nicely handicapped given his form in a good novice race and his maiden win. He ran well last time out but he didn’t stay the trip so back down in trip he can be expected to go well.
The older more exposed runners are Mexican Bob, Bishops’s Bridge and Aberdeen Park.
Mexican Bob ran well below form in the Imperial Cup but this is a much weak race and a good chance he can to bounce back to form. Robert Thornton though doesn’t ride as the 7lbs claimer takes the ride possibly as connections believe he is plenty high enough in the handicap. This trip is also an unknown so a risky betting proposition given the question marks hanging over the horse but not without a chance on a going day.
Aberdeen Park looks a progressive individual but her impressive win came in a weak race at Plumpton. The 13lbs hike in the weights and the mares disappointing run next time out at Wincanton are enough to put me off backing her. However if she was able to bounce back to her Plumpton form she would be a big danger.
Bishop’s Bridge appears to be the stable first string as Noel Fehily has a 17% strike rate compared with Timmy Murphys 13% strike rate but its not just jockey bookings as Bishop’s Bridge has the better form. He had good early season form over the steeplechase fences but the handicapper has him firmly in his grip in that sphere after putting him up 11lbs for his Huntingdon win. He is some 20lbs lower over hurdles but more importantly he has decent form over hurdles so he looks capable of taking advantage of this lower mark.
The two against the field are the unexposed Bennynthejets and the talented Bishop’s Bridge.
1pt WIN – BISHOP’S BRIDGE @ 15/2
1pt WIN – BENNYNTHEJETS @ 14/1
RESULT
BISHOP’S BRIDGE 4th = -1pt
BENNYNTHEJETS Pulled Up = -1pt
4:50 TURFTV HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 3) (4yo+,0-
MEXICAN BOB 11-
BISHOP’S BRIDGE 11-
IN MEDIA RES 11-
LINCOLN’S INN 11-
NAJCA DE THAIX 11-
FESTIVE CHIMES 11-
ABERDEEN PARK 11-
KEY PHIL 10-
OLYMPIAN 10-
SMART JOHN 10-
BENNYNTHEJETS 10-
SWAMPY BLUE 10-
HOH NELSON 10-
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Mexican Bob, Bishop’s Bridge, Aberdeen Park, Olympian, Smart John, Bennynthejets and Swampy Blue.
The Tony Martin trained Swampy Blue probably holds the key to this race as he could have any amount of improvement in him and could prove very well handicapped. However there isn’t any confidence behind him in the market and he has looked a very quirky horse so not one to rely on.
Three of the horses have only had one start in handicap company and they are Olympian, Smart John and Bennynthejets.
Olympian has been raised 12lbs in the handicap for his 2nd in a Huntingdon handicap and although that was encouraging form his run next time out in a maiden was disappointing. He’ll need to bounce back and he could back in handicap company but a percentage call to take on in this competitive race.
Smart John is turned out quickly after a good 2nd in his first try in handicap company at Wetherby. Worry is though that this may come too soon and it was an average race in which he was well beaten by the winner.
Bennynthejets looks nicely handicapped given his form in a good novice race and his maiden win. He ran well last time out but he didn’t stay the trip so back down in trip he can be expected to go well.
The older more exposed runners are Mexican Bob, Bishops’s Bridge and Aberdeen Park.
Mexican Bob ran well below form in the Imperial Cup but this is a much weak race and a good chance he can to bounce back to form. Robert Thornton though doesn’t ride as the 7lbs claimer takes the ride possibly as connections believe he is plenty high enough in the handicap. This trip is also an unknown so a risky betting proposition given the question marks hanging over the horse but not without a chance on a going day.
Aberdeen Park looks a progressive individual but her impressive win came in a weak race at Plumpton. The 13lbs hike in the weights and the mares disappointing run next time out at Wincanton are enough to put me off backing her. However if she was able to bounce back to her Plumpton form she would be a big danger.
Bishop’s Bridge appears to be the stable first string as Noel Fehily has a 17% strike rate compared with Timmy Murphys 13% strike rate but its not just jockey bookings as Bishop’s Bridge has the better form. He had good early season form over the steeplechase fences but the handicapper has him firmly in his grip in that sphere after putting him up 11lbs for his Huntingdon win. He is some 20lbs lower over hurdles but more importantly he has decent form over hurdles so he looks capable of taking advantage of this lower mark.
The two against the field are the unexposed Bennynthejets and the talented Bishop’s Bridge.
1pt WIN – BISHOP’S BRIDGE @ 15/2
1pt WIN – BENNYNTHEJETS @ 14/1
RESULT
BISHOP’S BRIDGE 4th = -
