14:25 Ludlow

Wednesday 10 January 2018

All12:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:3516:05

A.J.A Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 6.4s

Broom Tip⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N George⁽⁵⁾| T: T R George| OR: 112

14/1

More was expected last time on handicap debut when bad ground may have been to blame. Could shape much better this time, but he still appears to have more than his fair share of weight.

Form: 0763-4P

Braw Angus⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 110| BF

6/1

His two best efforts have come over shorter and it is possible the hefty rise in the weights, earned in the spring, has taken care of him for now. Rider has partnered 25 winners so will not be found lacking on that score.

Form: 8812-45

Windshear^t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 107

25/1

Very useful middle-distance horse on the Flat but disappointing since joining this yard and reverting to hurdles earlier this year. This would be the easiest task he has faced in this sphere and a capable rider has been booked.

Form: 0-83P7

Gamain^b³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 107| D

7/1

Winner under this rider in September and has gone well over fences lately. Probably wants more of a test than this will offer and others make more appeal.

Form: 6-61335

Johns Luck^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr James King| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107| D

20/1

Well placed to find two weak races over fences last year and his limitations have been exposed since. Never in the hunt when last of three finishers a month ago and hard to see different headgear making much difference.

Form: 1232-P3

Virginia Chick²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105

5/1

Much improved since going handicapping, although he was not that impressive last time in a weak Bangor contest. No surprise to see him stepped up considerably in trip after that and rider's claim helps offset another rise in the weights.

Form: 88-6011

Tindaro^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Sophie Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: P R Webber| OR: 105

50/1

Switched back to hurdling last time when last of nine in a similar race. Ideally suited to better ground and has an inexperienced rider on board.

Form: 174P-49

Flashjack¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Galligan⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 104

5/2

Winner at Warwick on New Year's Eve when taking advantage of a handicap mark based on his chase form rather than his previous hurdling efforts in 2015/16. Escapes a penalty for that here but due to go up 10lb in future.

Form: 7P5P-41

Mr Mulliner^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr B Paris-Crofts⁽⁷⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 102

50/1

Out of sorts lately and a change of scenery did not appear to have helped too much last time.

Form: 85-P6PP

Galactic Power¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ceris Biddle⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 102| C

10/1

Winner here in November over 2m5f and not disgraced at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. Another 4lb rise for that looks harsh and he has a stiff task under a rider having her first mount under rules.

Form: 14-3512

Balkinstown^t,v²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr C Dowson⁽⁷⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 97| D

11/1

Record of 1-5 over timber for this yard, scoring at Worcester (2m7f, good) in July. Has run well enough in all starts since and can handle soft ground, dangerous to discount.

Form: 614333

Way Of The World²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 96

20/1

Hit form about this time last winter and landed a class five contest at Hereford off 3lb lower. Signs of a return to form last time and no forlorn hope.

Form: 39-PF05

Phare Isle^p,t⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Charlie Case⁽⁷⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 95| D

33/1

Veteran's form has taken a turn for the worse lately. Mark is due to drop after this and he is up against potentially well-handicapped horses.

Form: 35B505

Sahara Haze²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 92

14/1

Yet to win over hurdles and possibly flattered lately in some slowly run races. This looks stronger than her recent races and she is up against it.

Form: D3-9434

Tis What It Is^b1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 92

25/1

Modest bumper performer who has not shown any improvement since going hurdling. Tailed off on last two starts and blinkers are fitted. Rider 0-22 under rules for past five seasons.

Form: 346970

Phangio^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr Ed Bailey⁽⁷⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 89| D

33/1

All of his four runs since he came back from a break have been very disappointing and he looks out of sorts at the moment.

Form: 30P694

Passing Fiesta⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr James Jeavons⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 65

100/1

Has 55L to find with Virginia Chick on recent Bangor form and hard to see that happening from 19lb out of the handicap.

Form: 8-PPP5F

Forecasts

Flashjack (5/2), Virginia Chick (5/1), Braw Angus (6/1), Gamain (7/1), Galactic Power (10/1), Balkinstown (11/1), Broom Tip (14/1), Sahara Haze (14/1), Johns Luck (20/1), Way Of The World (20/1), Windshear (25/1), Tis What It Is (25/1), Phare Isle (33/1), Phangio (33/1), Tindaro (50/1), Mr Mulliner (50/1), Passing Fiesta (100/1)

This is nowhere near as competitive as the number of participants would make it look. Virginia Chick and FLASHJACK arrive in good shape with the former bidding to defy the handicapper for the third time. His rider is 2-8 under rules and her claim should offset a further rise in the weights for his latest success. FLASHJACK looks better treated, having fallen 19lb in the weights from his previous run over hurdles when scoring at Warwick 10 days ago. He escapes a penalty for that and is due to go up 10lb in future. That makes him hard to overlook, although his rider's lack of experience under rules is a concern. Way Of The World, Balkinstown, Brav Angus and Windshear are worth considering on an each-way basis.