13:40 Ludlow

Wednesday 8 February 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1516:50

Bromfield 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 4m 4.40s

Alfie's Choice⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

12/1

€75,000 purchase related to a number of wining hurdlers. Appeared not to stay last time so drops back to minimum trip. Stable in decent form and one of the likelier types in a modest event.

Form: 4-0353

Bettatogether⁷⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

12/1

Some promise when second on debut in Bangor bumper in December 2014, but not seen since falling after the line in similar event six weeks later. Long absence to overcome, but interesting that connections have persevered with him.

Form: 29/F5

Bomber Command²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George

8/1

Sent off favoruite for Southwell bumper last summer , finishing fourth without ever getting into the argument. Should be better for the experience and market should indicate if there is any confidence behind him.

Form: 4786-

Esspresso^h1³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

66/1

Dismal first effort over hurdles at Chepstow last month having shown a modicum of ability on debut in bumper. Hard to get excited about even though it's too early to write him off. Wears a hood for the first time.

Form: 30

Flans O Man^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs S Leech

200/1

Maiden point-to-pointer who looked outclasssed on similar event on rules debut here in January. Needs to make massive improvement to figure today.

Form: 255/0

Majestic Touch³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

8/1

Runner-up in Ffos Las bumper back in May 2015 for previous connections and looked as though he would improve for the outing when getting tired on debut for current stable at Doncaster last month. Champion jockey on board, but needs to show a little more today.

Form: 820/62-

Midnight Jitterbug²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Ian Popham| T: Noel Williams

14/1

Shown little in five starts to date and refused to settle for today's rider at Leicester on latest start, duly fading when race began in earnest. Hard to fancy.

Form: 4/50648-

Mr Pippin^b1⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips

200/1

Shown nothing in two outings so far under rules and would need a miraculous improvement to figure prominently in today's contest.

Form: RP-000

Quigley Court³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

66/1

Never sighted on debut in Bangor bumper last month. Might need more time unless hurdles bring about dramatic change.

Form:

Shantou Rock^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

1/4

Second at both Chepstow and Newbury this term, running well at the latter track latest in seemingly better race than this. Free going sort who might be suited by this sharper track and could take some pegging back if in similar mood this afternoon.

Form: 42-

Snow Rescue⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: M Hamill⁽⁷⁾| T: T R Gretton

66/1

First start for current yard and showed a little ability here last time out in a bumper when in touch until weakening in the home straight. Should be better for experience but another who may need more time.

Form: 4

Betterlatethanneva¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin

100/1

Outran her odds when second in a Uttoxeter bumper in June. Shown little since though so very hard to get enthusiastic about.

Form: 779538-

Jaunty Clementine⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: T E Whelan| T: B Eckley

200/1

200/1 and pulled up here over further last time having shown nothing in two previous starts. Looks out of her depth once again.

Form: 60

Val Di Comino¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Leech

200/1

Stable among the winners lately but this mare showed very little on her debut in a bumper in August and looks to have a very tough task once again on hurdling bow.

Form: 9

Mylyny^p³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: David Prichard⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner

200/1

Has looked a non-stayer on all three starts to date, tailing off on each occasion. Impossible to recommend.

Form: 00

Non-Runners

Chti Balko³⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Shantou Rock (1/4), Chti Balko (5/1), Majestic Touch (8/1), Bomber Command (8/1), Alfie's Choice (12/1), Bettatogether (12/1), Midnight Jitterbug (14/1), Snow Rescue (66/1), Quigley Court (66/1), Esspresso (66/1), Betterlatethanneva (100/1), Jaunty Clementine (200/1), Flans O Man (200/1), Mr Pippin (200/1), Mylyny (200/1), Val Di Comino (200/1)

A race with a great deal more quantity than quality. Dan Skelton's SHANTOU ROCK sets the standard, and if ridden with a little more restraint today than at Newbury last time, he might prove very hard to catch around here. Chti Balko ran well enough when third at Doncaster, so in a race lacking depth, he has definite place prospects. Alfie's Choice cost a few bob and is surely open to improvement representing a very shrewd yard, while Bomber Command is the only other on the short list having been made favourite on debut where he shaped with a little promise in fourth. 1. Shantou Rock 2. Chti Balko 3. Bomber Command