17:35 Ludlow

Monday 9 April 2018

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

Ludlow Racecourse Bookmakers Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 3m 56.96s

Queen Of The Wind³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 106| D

6/1

Did it well enough at Southwell last time out. Has winner's penalty to concede but top conditional rider claims 3lb to help redress some of the balance.

Form: 0U54P1

Belle's Spirit²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin

100/1

Has looked of very little account in four starts so far and is impossible to recommend on what we've seen thus far.

Form: 9P00

Better News³¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland

66/1

Showed little on debut for this yard two starts ago then gave rider a nightmare, blundering her away around Worcester in May before eventually getting rid of him. Needs a great deal of improvement.

Form: 4R/U-9U

Celer Et Audax¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea

100/1

Minor promise in bumpers earlier in campaign but has not taken to hurdles and was pulled up at Chepstow last time; reportedly broke blood vessel.

Form: 66U0UP

Fleur Du Pommier⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: G C Maundrell

25/1

Ran satisfactory race when fourth over C&D on hurdles bow in Jauary but pulled up when tailed off last time in heavy ground. Better conditions this time and looks one of the more likely outsiders to get involved.

Form: 0-054P

Floral Bouquet^t1¹⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie SnowdenWS

4/1

Placed in two bumpers last March for Gillian Boanas, and ran well on debut for this yard when third over hurdles at Towcester. Less pleasing last time at Exeter but may have had an issue as has had wind op since.

Form: 023-36

Oh Michelle⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

5/6

Placed in two bumpers last term and again on seasonal bow this campaign before finishing runner-up on hurdles bow at Huntingdon in January. Outclassed on Grade 2 event last time but this more her level and looks leading contender.

Form: 2623-2P

Oscars Little Rose²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas

25/1

Three runs to date showing some promise on second start when third of six at Lingfield in January on heavy ground. Better ground here but on balance has something to find.

Form: 636

Simonia³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

6/1

Three starts in bumpers to date, twice beaten favourite before finishing last of 12 latest at Kempton. Best effort on debut over this C&D when runner-up so not dismissed yet and top trainer always feared.

Form: 260

Stupid Cupid³³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Sheila Lewis

66/1

Winning point to pointer but hans't cut much ice in bumpers and a hurdle so far and looks to have plenty on her plate once again today.

Form: 1584-P

The Toojumpa¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott

25/1

Didn't show much in three bumpers and no star judged on two hurdles effort so far, although wasn't beaten out of sight last time at Chepstow. May do better once she goes hadicapping.

Form: 05845

Mirzam⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: James Davies| T: T Symonds

50/1

Yard won with three of last five runners so in fine form. Won 1m4f handicap on Flat at Chepstow last season for Mick Channon but has yet to take to hurdles and been well beaten all three starts for new connections.

Form: 556

Forecasts

Oh Michelle (5/6), Floral Bouquet (4/1), Simonia (6/1), Queen Of The Wind (6/1), The Toojumpa (25/1), Fleur Du Pommier (25/1), Oscars Little Rose (25/1), Mirzam (50/1), Better News (66/1), Stupid Cupid (66/1), Celer Et Audax (100/1), Belle's Spirit (100/1)

A chance is taken that FLORAL BOUQUET will do better now after wind surgery and on the pick of her previous efforts she has every chance. There'll surely be plenty of support for Nicky Henderson's Simonia, but she's already cost punters plenty and may be one to treat with a shade of caution, but Southwell winner Queen Of The Wind should be very much on the premises once again. Oh Michelle, who takes abig drop in class, could also be in the thick of the action.