15:30 Ludlow
Wednesday 11 October 2017
All13:5514:2515:0015:3016:0016:3517:10
UK Forest Products Association Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 7f 169y | Good to Firm (Good in places) | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 39.0s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
In the grip of the handicapper since winning a Huntingdon maiden in April (2m, good). The manner of those defeats suggest that a 2lb drop is unlikely to yield a much more positive result this time.
Scored on his first run for this yard at Wetherby (2m, soft) in April 2016, but then spent a year off and has been unable to make any impact in three handicaps. Slipping to a mark from which he could do better. Market check suggested.
Was the wide-margin winner of a weak Hexham handicap hurdle in the summer and remains 4lb higher today. Not shown much since, but if at his best he is not without an each-way chance on ground that suits.
Won his first hurdle at the tenth attempt when debuting for this yard at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month. Up 9lb for that, which looks a little harsh, so will need to find improvement for this drop in trip to follow up.
Has a fast ground handicap hurdle win to his name and added a novices' success at Stratford (2m½f, good) in the spring. Handicapper has had his measure since then, but a further 1lb drop here, plus his claimer, could see him in the shake-up.
Has won over hurdles in Ireland and Scotland (both 2m) and his latest success came in a 1m2f Brighton Flat handicap (good to firm) in July. A 9lb drop since his latest selling hurdle run puts him in the picture here.
Has looked moderate so far, though did at least make the frame last time out when a 17L third of four in a fast ground Worcester novices' hurdle. You would not say that his initial handicap mark is a gimme and perhaps a market check is prudent.
Could argue that he is well handicapped again looking at some of his Irish form from last year, although hard to get too enthusiastic that he is about to return to form after some dismal recent efforts. Cheekpieces need to work well.
Won two of his first three hurdles back in 2015 but has failed to add to those. Was runner-up from 8lb higher last year, though beaten 7L from this mark last time and looks likely to come up short again.
Came back to form over the summer with a neck defeat (2m2½f, good to firm) and then a win by the same margin (2m1f, good) at Newton Abbot. Was out of sorts back there last time, but not ruled out from 3lb higher than his win.
Keeps popping up with a win, especially when conditions are good or faster, as he did at Cartmel (2m1f) in July. However, still 4lb higher today and the handicapper looks to have his measure for the moment.
Won't mind conditions and won here in novices' company last year. Has slid a long way in the weights since going handicapping, though after a 30L defeat last time, even another 7lb drop and cheekpieces fails to rekindle enthusiasm in his chance.
0-8 over hurdles and has dropped a stone in the ratings since the spring. Well beaten again over a similar trip at Sedgefield last time and not easy to get excited about his chance despite a 6lb drop.
1-56, that sole success coming at the 51st attempt at Uttoxeter in May from 1lb lower. Well held in all completed starts since and he looks reasonably safe to be taking on again today.
A slide back to a mark of 86 saw him get his nose in front for the third time in a Worcester handicap hurdle (2m, good) last month. Ran with credit when stepped up to this class last time and from the same mark he has each-way claims.
Relishes good or fast ground and got the latter when last seen winning at Taunton in April from 7lb lower. However, despite the positives, he looks held at present and needs assistance from the handicapper.
Non-Runners
4
Silver Quay44
Weight: 11-11| Age: 5
T: J D Frost J: Bryony Frost
NR
9
Goal12
Weight: 11-6| Age: 9
T: Miss T Watkins J: Jack Savage
NR
Forecasts
Tunnel Creek (4/1), Excellent Team (5/1), Frozen Over (7/1), Quebec (7/1), Sioux Chieftain (8/1), Silver Quay (8/1), Status Quo (9/1), The Kid (12/1), Dove Mountain (14/1), Beallandendall (16/1), Tamarillo Grove (20/1), Tell The Tale (25/1), Head High (25/1), Mighty Whitey (25/1), Back To Balloo (33/1), Goal (33/1), Dollar And A Dream (50/1), Orion's Might (50/1)
A 9lb drop in the weights makes Dove Mountain of more interest today and a market check is suggested. The Kid has each-way claims along with old boy Back To Balloo, but for the win the suggestion is TAMARILLO GROVE, who has conditions to suit and if you can forgive his last run, has claims. Sioux Chieftain and Excellent Team are obvious potential dangers, while a market check is suggested with regard to Status Quo.
- Tamarillo Grove
- Excellent Team
- Dove Mountain
Prize Money
1st: £5,848.002nd: £1,717.003rd: £859.004th: £429.00
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