14:35 Ludlow
Wednesday 22 February 2017
All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:1016:4517:20
Ludlow Racecourse Bookmakers Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 4  |  1m 7f 212y  |  Good to Soft (Good in places)  |  7 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:35Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 9.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has struggled since winning at Worcester in July, and is still on a higher mark than at the time of that victory. It is a plus that he returns to that winning trip today though.
Makes his chase debut today having run some decent races over hurdles, including when a close third at Fakenham in October (2m, good). Has to prove he's effective over fences but this mark could prove lenient if so.
Point winner who hasn't finished within 10L of the winner on any of his five starts over fences so far. His second at Taunton last time was much more encouraging though, and his mark is sinking quickly.
Has improved massively for the switch to fences and has looked at his best over this sort of trip and clearly enjoys tracks with sharp turns. Same mark as when beaten favourite at Fontwell last time and looks to be a leading contender.
Makes his chase debut today off what looks to be a fair hurdles mark, and though he's been well beaten on each start so far, much of the form is working out well. It is a slight concern that he fell during his only PTP, however.
13 race maiden who is lightly raced for his age but has been struggling under a similar handicap mark in similar races recently. Didn't seem to enjoy himself over C&D last time and looks unlikely to build on that today.
Was running with some promise behind some useful types before unseating the last twice. His jumping seems to fall apart under pressure and that has to be a concern here, but at least he has a light weight to carry.
Forecasts
Wade Harper (9/4), Mercian King (10/3), Deadly Approach (7/2), Lou Vert (8/1), Dr Dunraven (8/1), In On The Act (12/1), Emperor Commodos (22/1)
Sometimes the switch to the larger obstacles really can bring out the best in a horse, and that certainly seems to have been the case with MERCIAN KING. Never showing much on the Flat or over hurdles, he has improved massively since being pulled up on his first start over fences back in April. His defeat last time out was a mild disappointment, but he still looks progressive and is taken to land a second chase win today. Lou Vert can prove the main danger off what could be a lenient hurdles mark on his debut in this sphere, while Dr Dunraven finds himself in the same situation, though he must put his fall in a PTP last spring behind him.
1. Mercian King
2. Lou Vert
3. Dr Dunraven
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
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