15:35 Ludlow

Wednesday 22 February 2017

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

Racing UK Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 26.10s

Amber Gambler²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 113

7/1

Much improved chaser who seeks a five-timer today. Has shot up the weights in the past few months but seems to be improving for his victories and has always looked at his best over this trip. Leading contender.

Form: 776-7P1

Ultimatum Du Roy^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A M Hales| OR: 113

12/1

C&D winner who has run a series of nice races over a similar trip to this recently, and should go well again. Slowly going up in the weights but only up 6lb in total for two wins and a second.

Form: 12P131-

Amiral Collonges^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Banks| T: H J Evans| OR: 111

28/1

Was runner up in the Lincolnshire National in December where Ultimatum Du Roy was pulled up, but that second to the useful Gonalston Cloud is his only good piece of form since switching to hurdles.

Form: P625P3-

He's A Bully⁴⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110

25/1

Returns after a long break today but was just finding his feet in staying novice chasers prior to that absence. Has to prove the lay-off isn't a problem but could go well if managing that on a trip and ground that should suit.

Form: 64212-2

Better Days^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 109

14/1

Inconsistent sort who has won twice in convincing style recently, while disappointing in some other races. 6lb rise for his win at Taunton last time seems a little harsh, and he'll need to be having one of his good days to be involved here.

Form: 551412-

How About It^b,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathan Moore⁽³⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 106

6/1

Has something to find with Ambler Gambler having finished fourth behind him at Taunton last time, though he is better off in the weights today. Hasn't won since October 2015, his only win under rules, and difficult to see that changing today.

Form: P564P1

William Money^t²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

8/13

Won as he liked at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) last time, and could prove tough to beat if replicating that form. However, on better ground, over further and with a penalty to carry, he has something to prove.

Form: 211122-

Non-Runners

Raduis Bleu¹⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 12

T: Lady S Brooke J: Miss L Brooke

Forecasts

William Money (8/13), How About It (6/1), Amber Gambler (7/1), Ultimatum Du Roy (12/1), Better Days (14/1), He's A Bully (25/1), Amiral Collonges (28/1), Raduis Bleu (100/1)

There's a good chance that William Money could try and take this from the front again, and though he's proven over this trip he was racing over shorter when romping to victory at Newcastle last time. Though favourite that day, the manner of victory was perhaps too good to be true, and he may not find it so easy under a penalty. If that's the case, perhaps AMBLER GAMBLER can take advantage. He seeks a fifth win in a row today but has always looked at his best over this trip and seems to still be improving, even if he is shooting up the weights. Ultimatum Du Roy has only gone up slightly in the handicap despite being in great form recently and is another one to consider. 1. Amber Gambler 2. William Money 3. Ultimatum Du Roy