14:00 Ludlow

Wednesday 22 February 2017

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:1016:4517:20

Bitterley Point To Point 1st April Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 3m 56.80s

Alfie's Choice¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

7/1

Put in a better performance last time when third in a similar race here a couple of weeks ago. Seems to be going the right way and can't be ruled out on ground that should suit.

Form: 4-0353

Alpha Indi⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: W Featherstone⁽⁵⁾| T: H J Evans

200/1

Showed decent enough form in a trio of Irish points before never getting involved in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell last time (2m3f, soft). Much more will be needed in this harder and more competitive race.

Form: 2/43872-

Bobo Mac⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: T Symonds

5/2

Ran well in a series of bumpers for previous trainer in Ireland, as well as recording form figures of 4F2 in maiden hurdles in between those races. That second at Limerick last time looks solid, and he should go close for a new yard.

Form: F33221

Johanos¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke

12/1

Having acquitted himself decently enough in bumpers, the form of his hurdles debut at Taunton last time is working out well. Perhaps this drop down in trip will help and definitely one for the shortlist.

Form: 2-

Our Delboy¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr

66/1

Has finished midfield in his two starts so far, both in similar races over C&D. Those experiences will help him, but others have shown more coming into this race and rate much more likely winners.

Form: 75836

Quigley Court¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

200/1

Beaten 21L and 46L in a bumper and a maiden hurdle so far, including over C&D latest. Will need to come on a lot for that hurdling debut in order to be competitive here.

Form:

Ridgeway Flyer^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 117

7/4

Didn't run badly in defeat when settling much better and finishing second at Exeter last time. That was an encouraging run, and the form of his other races is working out well, including his fifth behind the subsequent Betfair Hurdle runner-up at Wincanton in December. Big player.

Form: 21-4

Spin Point¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams

100/1

Was not given the easiest debut over hurdles on heavy ground at Uttoxeter last time out. Still, that 72L defeat coupled with his recent tame form on the Flat is difficult to get excited about, and he looks up against it with some more experienced hurdling rivals today.

Form: 607-

Autum Rain⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: J E Moore| T: T H Weston

100/1

Makes her debut over hurdles today having gone within a length of victory on her second of two starts in points. One of the more unknown quantities in the field, but wouldn't be the biggest shock if she were to go close here.

Form: 42037

Calling Des Blins^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

33/1

Ran poorly after a break last time having been beaten at odd-on on his previous start last spring. Doesn't have the worst form coming in to this and is entitled to come for that last run, but others seemingly have both more ability and more potential to improve.

Form: 1/32-896

Over To Midnight¹⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 80

250/1

Nine race maiden who returns from a moderate break today. Ran one decent race here over further last April but has been well beaten on every start other than that and looks unappealing back down to a trip where her form figures read 508 over hurdles.

Form: 883-660

Does It In Style¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

150/1

Well beaten over C&D last time, finishing 95L behind the winner with only one rival behind him. Much more will be needed here even with a top conditional claiming a useful 3lb.

Form: F

Lexington Law²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

7/1

Failed to get off the mark in five attempts on the Flat for Richard Hannon. Now finds himself with a top jumps trainer, which is interesting, but has a break to overcome and must prove he is effective over hurdles, so best watched here.

Form: 6

Royal Reserve²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 111

15/2

Steps down in class today having finished fourth on all three starts over hurdles so far. That form reads well, including when behind leading Supreme Novices contender Charli Parcs at Kempton two starts ago. Should run well with an easier assignment today.

Form: -4

Sky of Stars⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C Poste| T: Mrs A L M King

250/1

Only modest form on the Flat and unseated on hurdles debut at Warwick last time while trying to refuse at 100/1. Looks to have very little chance on that evidence.

Form: -

Non-Runners

Coopers Square⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: T H Weston J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Ridgeway Flyer (7/4), Bobo Mac (5/2), Alfie's Choice (7/1), Lexington Law (7/1), Royal Reserve (15/2), Johanos (12/1), Calling Des Blins (33/1), Coopers Square (33/1), Our Delboy (66/1), Autum Rain (100/1), Spin Point (100/1), Does It In Style (150/1), Alpha Indi (200/1), Quigley Court (200/1), Over To Midnight (250/1), Sky of Stars (250/1)

Royal Reserve is faced with a much easier task today having been behind the likes of Charli Parcs and Coeur De Lion on his previous starts. He should finish better than the fourth he's managed in all three races over hurdles so far, while Ridgeway Flyer ran a nice race when settling much better last time at Exeter. Preference though, is for BOBO MAC. The Irish import wasn't given an easy time of things when making his hurdling debut in the mud at Limerick last time but still managed to shape encouragingly, and he can provide the answer here on his first start for Tom Symonds. 1. Bobo Mac 2. Royal Reserve 3. Ridgeway Flyer