David Massey delivers today's advice including three selections at Ludlow.
Racing betting tips: Wednesday February 4
1pt win Rodney in the 14:58 Ludlow at 5/2 (General, take no lower)
1pt win Magical Maggie in the 15:33 Ludlow at 10/1 (General, take no lower)
0.5pts e.w Moonlightinthepark in the 16:07 Ludlow at 33/1 (1/5 1,2,3,4 General, min 20/1)
14:58 Ludlow – Class 3 (0-125) Handicap Chase 2m4f11y
RODNEY has been one of the few bright points in a difficult season for Kerry Lee, with the son of Golden Horn responsible for half of the Presteigne trainer’s four wins this season. That tally should be three from five, as Rodney was well clear when tipping up at the last on his chase debut at Bangor. He’s improved again of late, winning with plenty up his sleeve at Hereford last time when Charlie Deutsch was able to ease him heavily on the run-in. A 10lb rise sounds plenty for that, but he looked much better than his rivals, and should have the beating of Pepe Le Moko, who was 20 lengths behind him at Hereford and is just 10lb better. A thoroughly likeable type, Rodney has quickly developed into an assured jumper and has the physical heft to defy a big weight in this sphere.
15:33 Ludlow – Class 4 (0-120) Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 2m5f55y
Sallyville is of obvious interest moving into handicaps after just two runs and the fact that she is trained by Dan Skelton will ender her to plenty of punters. On the other hand, she does need to improve a fair bit on what she’s achieved, and I prefer to take a chance on the well-treated MAGICAL MAGGIE. Third in the valuable Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen in 2024, she was then off the track for well over a year until running here in December, and it’s no surprise that she shaped as the run would do her good.
Magical Maggie has now dropped 4lb below the mark off which she won here in the 2023/24 season and it bears repeating that she has won six times in an 18-race career, with two of those wins at Ludlow. She has raced mostly around 2m, but ran arguably her best race in the Summer Hurdle when staying on very strongly after getting outpaced, and she has plenty of stamina in her pedigree. With her stable in good form, and with her fitness no longer a concern, she’s fancied to get back to winning ways.
16:07 Ludlow - Class 5 (0-100) Handicap Hurdle 2m5f55y
Windsor Blue’s has caught the eye here in the past, but her handicap debut was uninspiring and she is hard to back with confidence, for all the feeling remains that she is capable of much better at some point. MOONLIGHTINTHEPARK is another to go in the notebook after shaping well here, in her case when a bit too free to do herself justice behind Un Sens A La Vie over 2m here in December. She is now qualified for handicaps and is bred to improve at this trip if she’s learned to settle fully.
Moonlightinthepark came up against The Flaggy Shore on her only point-to-point start, finishing a five-length second to that mare at Stowlin. The winner dotted up on her bumper debut at Warwick and was second in the Listed Mares bumper at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago, so that effort looks much better with the benefit of hindsight. She’s needed the experience in qualifying, but an opening mark of 98 could be lenient based on what she showed between the flags, and she’s likely to be a big price here as most punters and bookmakers will concentrate solely on what she’s done under rules.
Preview posted at 09:45 GMT on 04/02/26
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2025 successes
- Magical Maggie 10/1
- Rodney 5/2
- Java Point 33/1
- Jacques Clouseau 8/1
- Gogo Yubari 7/2
- Ali Star Bert 100/30
- Rossbridge 9/2
- Kala Conti 5/2
- Found A Fifty 100/30
- Hold Up La Colmine 9/2
- Ben Solo 9/2
- Eldorado Allen 17/2
- French Emperor 15/2
- Lud'or 9/2
- Iddy Wood 9/2
- Jager Time 11/2
- Susie Sioux 3/1
- Smooth Silesie 13/2
- Sticktotheplan 6/1
- Daryz 11/1
- Expressionless 9/1
- Blue Jay Way 11/1
- Revival Power 13/2
- Yanifer 10/1
- Saddadd 5/2
- Dark Cloud Rising 11/2
- Forglen 13/2
- Brazilian Belle 11/4
- Red Panda 17/2
- Bearwith 7/2
- Nogo’s Dream 2/1
- Alpha Magic 20/1
- Minnie Hauk 5/1
- Gore Point 17/2
- Molten Sea 6/1
- Pay Attention 5/1
- Laser Focus 13/2
- Phaedra 2/1
- Eldrickjones 8/1
- Straight F/C Cosmic Year/Marvelman 28/1
- Pink Eyed Pancho 12/1
- Pep Talking 7/2
- Ultra Beat 7/2
- Les's Legacy 13/2
- Coniston George 9/2
- Fairlawn Flyer 12/1
- Finn Lough 9/2
- Magma Sam 9/1
- Hawajes 9/2
- Trouble Man 3/1
- Royal Jewel 11/4
- Mr Vango 5/1
- Jack Sprat 11/4
- Ormolulu 100/30
- Khangai 9/2
- Jimmy Knocker 6/1
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