17:20 Ludlow

Wednesday 22 February 2017

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

Jenkinsons Caterers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 5m 33.8s

Authorized Too^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: W Featherstone⁽⁵⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 122

18/1

Has some decent form over shorter than this, but has been unimpressive over this trip in the past. Has had excuses on one of those occasions, when bleeding, but that isn't enough of a reason to fancy him here.

Form: 9-14716

Theatrebar^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121

6/4

C&D winner who probably found the ground a little too soft when narrowly beaten at Uttoxeter last time. Steps down in class today and looks to be a leading contender on that evidence.

Form: 24022/1

Milord^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Morshead⁽⁷⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 117

10/1

Only modest form in handicap hurdles recently, having placed only once since the end of 2013. Goes down 2lb for his distant fourth at Leicester last time, but that is unlikely to be enough to help him here.

Form: 254315-

Harry Hunt²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 115

33/1

Has some recent form on the Flat, but isn't particularly prolific over hurdles, with his only victory in this sphere since 2012 coming over further than this. Other younger and less exposed horses look to be more obvious options.

Form: 35893-2

Farm The Rock²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 113

12/1

Won a maiden point but remains a maiden under rules, not coming particularly close on any of his starts so far. Only lowered 2lb in the handicap for a 45L defeat last time, so best watched here.

Form: 31-5524

Gulshanigans^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

7/2

Proved he was on a workable mark when a close second here over further last time. The drop back in trip should suit, and he'll go well if so, especially given how lightly raced he is.

Form: 452239-

Justatenner¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G B Watters⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 111

8/1

Was much better at Bangor last time when staying on for second, having disappointing the time before at Musselburgh. Drop down in trip is interesting, but not sure to help on the available evidence.

Form: 9/83P26-

Bertie Lugg^t1⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110

33/1

Returns to the smaller obstacles today after two fruitless runs over fences. Generally versatile in terms of trip and ground, but his lofty handicap mark has to be a worry.

Form: 8/15P05-

Key To The West^p,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: M Sheppard| OR: 109

20/1

Hasn't won since December 2014, having moved yards fairly soon after that victory, which is a concern. Has shown little this season and looks set for a minor role only again today.

Form: P/2F3F-5

Calin Du Brizais^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 107

10/1

Recently switched back to the smaller obstacles, unseating at Musselburgh when in contention on that occasion. All his best form is while hurdling, though, so he may be worth another shot if he has learnt from that incident.

Form: 45FU57-

Rocky Elsom^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 93

50/1

First run after a long break last time was far from encouraging. He's entitled to come on for that, but his best form has tended to come on ground that's softer than this.

Form: 6PF5/7P-

Non-Runners

Leaderofthedance²⁷⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: J McGrath

Miss Tongabezi⁶⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: P R Webber J: Fergus Gregory

Monsieur Arkadin⁸⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: Tim Vaughan J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Theatrebar (6/4), Gulshanigans (7/2), Miss Tongabezi (4/1), Justatenner (8/1), Milord (10/1), Calin Du Brizais (10/1), Farm The Rock (12/1), Leaderofthedance (12/1), Monsieur Arkadin (12/1), Authorized Too (18/1), Key To The West (20/1), Harry Hunt (33/1), Bertie Lugg (33/1), Rocky Elsom (50/1)

This is a competitive enough race, but still could easily come down to the market principles. THEATREBAR always seems to run his race and probably found the ground too soft in the mud at Uttoxeter last time, despite only being narrowly beaten. The step down in class will help him as well. Gulshanigans proved he was on a workable mark when a very close second on only his second handicap appearance over a longer distance here about a month ago, while Calin Du Brizais is also a player if recapturing his best hurdling form now he has been sent back over the smaller obstacles. 1. Theatrebar 2. Gulshanigans 3. Calin Du Brizais