15:55 Ludlow

Monday 9 April 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0517:35

Boyne Cup (Handicap Chase)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 1.0s

Space Oddity^h⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: H Fry| OR: 138| D

7/2

Good runner-up to Benatar at Ascot in November but has failed to build on that since, including when unseating rider in two-runner race last time. Yard still in good form though and despite top wieght a good display can't be ruled out.

Form: 14272U

Cut The Corner¹⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 133| D

8/1

Scored twice at Uttoxeter last July including over this trip. Has been campaigned at up to 3m since and drops right back now but is capable of figuring if they go a good gallop.

Form: 254523

Colin's Brother⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| CD

9/2

On a hat-trick mission after wins at over C&D and over 2m4f at Leicester last time where he scraped home by a nose. Top yard always dangerous and may still be half a step in front of the handicapper at this trip.

Form: 1P3-U11

Rock On Rocky^p,t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 130| D

4/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last spring off lower marks but has generally been found wanting until storming home at Newbury last time. Back up 7lb but clearly in form and won't be far away.

Form: 223441

Ifandbutwhynot^t¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: T D Easterby| OR: 125| CD

5/1

Decent hurdler in his time but now into veteran stage. Ran well at Carlisle last time and has a big 13lb pull with Colin's Brother on running here time before so has to come into the reckoning.

Form: 18-U342

Mick Thonic^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124| D

7/2

Won Cheltenham novice chase 12 months ago but has generally been disappointing in six starts since. Had wind surgery prior to most recent run when again stopped quickly, so others make more appeal.

Form: 3UP7P4

Boxer Beat⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 112

100/1

Only win in 68 starts came at Killarney in the summmer of 2013. Has run badly for current yard since the turn of the yard and cannot be fancied on that evidence.

Form: 32-UP09

Non-Runners

Grey Gold³⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 13

T: Kerry Lee J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Space Oddity (7/2), Mick Thonic (7/2), Rock On Rocky (4/1), Colin's Brother (9/2), Ifandbutwhynot (5/1), Cut The Corner (8/1), Grey Gold (20/1), Boxer Beat (100/1)

IFANDBUTWHYNOT has a big pull at the weights with Colin's Brother for their running here in December and can make the most of these terms. Colin's Brother has been in fine form since and should again put up a good show, while Rock On Rocky is another who comes here on the back of a recent success. Space Oddity has claims on the best of his form but has struggled of late, but Cut The Corner may not be too far away dropped back in trip.