15:40 Ludlow

Wednesday 21 December 2016

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4015:1015:40

Russell's Big Five 0 Birthday Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 23.10s

Awake At Midnight³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

16/1

Hung too badly at Haydock last month on debut to stand a chance, should know more about the game now.

Form: 8

Black Jack Jaxon⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr James King⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook

80/1

Trainer not renowned for turning out winners in this sphere.

Form:

Black Mischief³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry

10/3

Raced a bit freely when beaten at odds-on in Plumpton bumper last month. Still not beaten far and has his chance here.

Form: 3/33F-

Blue Comet⁴¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

15/2

More than a year off the track and there was nothing in two runs before to suggest he can win this.

Form: 89-

Classula⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss C Dyson

100/1

Breeding suggests he might have the ability to get involved in a race of this sort.

Form:

Louie¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: R J Price

80/1

Claimer booked and would be a shock if the Richard Price runner makes a winning debut.

Form:

Mountain Chimes⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Moloney| T: Evan Williams

12/1

Evan Williams can be relied on to get one ready first time out and this one is entitled to his chance.

Form:

Sidsteel²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: L Heard| T: J Groucott

200/1

Two previous runs in similar contests at this venue have brought similarly disappointing results for connections.

Form: 000054-

Snow Rescue²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: M Hamill⁽⁷⁾| T: T R Gretton

40/1

Favourite for Fontwell bumper in June, in contention for a long way before fading out of it in the final two furlongs. Lots to prove after that effort but has switched yards.

Form: 4

Solomon Grey⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

9/1

Well-related sort making racecourse debut for Dan Skelton's yard here that alone is worthy of some respect.

Form:

Time And Times¹²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: D McNamara

7/1

Chased home an odds-on chance from the Willie Mullins bumper production line at Kilbeggan in August. The pair were streets clear of nine rivals and he should go close.

Form: 32

Top Ville Ben²⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson

11/8

Irish point winner making debut for Nicky Henderson here. Merits plenty respect but no easy race.

Form: 1-1112F

Massini's Dream³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs S Leech

150/1

Tailed off when last of 11 on Ffos Las debut in November.

Form: 0

Way Up High^t1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Ed Bailey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook

250/1

Rank outsider and quickly threw in the towel on sole previous appearance at Bangor in October.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

Celestial Chimes⁴⁷

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: R Dickin J: Chris Ward

Forecasts

Top Ville Ben (11/8), Black Mischief (10/3), Time And Times (7/1), Blue Comet (15/2), Solomon Grey (9/1), Mountain Chimes (12/1), Awake At Midnight (16/1), Snow Rescue (40/1), Celestial Chimes (66/1), Black Jack Jaxon (80/1), Louie (80/1), Classula (100/1), Massini's Dream (150/1), Sidsteel (200/1), Way Up High (250/1)

Nicky Henderson has landed this contest four times in six years and his newcomer Top Ville Ben will likely take plenty beating today. Of those with experience however, TIMES AND TIMES run at Kilbeggan stands out. Adrian Heskin is riding with confidence right now and they can land the finale. Another newcomer, Solomon Grey, is interesting for Harry Skelton while Black Mischief must settle better after his Plumpton debut effort. 1. Time And Times 2. Top Ville Ben 3. Black Mischief