16:35 Ludlow

Thursday 26 October 2017

All13:5514:3015:0015:3516:0516:35

Terry Dervin 70th Bedian Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 3m 41.58s

Peruvien Bleu⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 122| CD

13/2

Dual C&D winner earlier this year and not disgraced in two starts off higher marks. Has been given a shorter break and should be competitive despite top weight.

Form: 031-124

Banditry²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 121| D

5/4

Useful Flat performer who got off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles when landing an ordinary contest at Southwell. Has room for improvement at this game and looks a major player at these weights for his in-form stable.

Form: 53-21

Quids In^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Ian Popham| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 120| D

25/1

Maiden on the Flat who has improved for the switch to hurdles. Could not translate that improvement back on the level last time, but was not disgraced and has each-way prospects back over timber.

Form: 421335-

Captain Felix⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 108| D

7/1

Off the mark at the eighth time of asking over hurdles when comfortably landing a Huntingdon handicap last week. Carries a 7lb penalty, but has to race off 3lb higher in future so clearly enters calculations.

Form: 42P-351

Excellent Team^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 114| CD

4/1

Ended a frustrating run when winning a handicap over C&D earlier this month. Has to cope with a 6lb higher mark and that may scupper his chance.

Form: 608441

Lord Fendale^h²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Jodie Hughes⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112| D

25/1

In good form last summer, but was off the track for a long time before finishing down the field at Bangor earlier this month. Needs to have improved significantly for the outing.

Form: 06/212-9

Shinghari⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 110

14/1

Irish import who showed glimpses of promise in three maiden hurdles. First venture into handicap company on debut for this stable, so it will be interesting to see if there is support for him.

Form: 345

King Alfonso¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Burchell| OR: 108| CD

14/1

Landed a four-runner novices' chase at Worcester last month, but has been beaten in two subsequent starts in handicaps over the bigger obstacles. Reverts to hurdling with each-way claims.

Form: 344133

Polished Rock^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 107| D

50/1

Ex-Irish gelding who took a keen hold before finishing well beaten on his debut for this stable at Southwell. In-form trainer will be hoping to see him fare much better this time.

Form: 57345/8

New Millennium²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 107

25/1

One fair run from three starts for leading stable, but it is interesting that they persevere with him. Needs to show a big improvement on his reappearance run at Worcester.

Form: 364-9

Dollar And A Dream^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 101| D

50/1

Irish import who showed little on his first five start for this stable, but shaped better over C&D last time when he was sixth behind Excellent Team. Needs to build on that effort.

Form: 650796

Dalmarella Dancer⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: D P Dunne| OR: 96

100/1

Irish challenger who had registered poor form before refusing to race at Limerick last time. Plenty to do even if consenting to take part.

Form: 509-85R

Forecasts

Banditry (5/4), Excellent Team (4/1), Peruvien Bleu (13/2), Captain Felix (7/1), King Alfonso (14/1), Shinghari (14/1), New Millennium (25/1), Quids In (25/1), Lord Fendale (25/1), Dollar And A Dream (50/1), Polished Rock (50/1), Dalmarella Dancer (100/1)

Plenty of these are either high enough in the weights or are out of form, but the notable exception is BANDITRY, a decent performer on the Flat who won cosily over hurdles last time. It will be disappointing if he cannot defy this handicap mark. Quids Inn did well during his debut season over hurdles and can chase him home, while Captain Felix won last time and can figure again. Peruvien Bleu is not out of it despite top weight, King Alfonso is respected on his return to timber, New Millennium needs to show big improvement for his leading yard, but may do so, and Shinghari is worth a check in the betting.