15:35 Ludlow

Tuesday 24 April 2018

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:0516:4017:15

April Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 58.8s

Skipthecuddles^p1⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 128

9/2

Novice hurdle winner at Wetherby (soft) over an extended 2m5f in February last year but well held since and wears cheekpieces for the first time.

Form: 80-P550

Souriyan^b³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127

12/1

In the process of running a good race when falling at Bangor (2m7f, soft) on his return to hurdling last month. Interesting to see how he fares off a 2lb lower mark in this.

Form: 10425F

Theatrebar^t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| C

8/1

Victorious over 2m5f on soft ground here in February and finished a decent second at Sedgefield (2m4f, good-to-soft) subsequently. Slightly disappointing last time but remains of interest on this occasion.

Form: 2/131-26

Call To Order^p²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| BF| DWS

10/1

Had just three starts since winning over 3m at Cheltenham (good) in December 2016. Returning from an absence having had a wind operation since his latest outing.

Form: 3315-28

The Devils Drop⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: N P Madden| T: A King| OR: 123| BF

9/2

Placed in a maiden hurdle over C&D on soft ground in February. Also placed at Kempton and Towcester this season and he is making his handicap debut in this.

Form: 2-4333

Will O'The West⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

6/1

Decent fourth over fences at Uttoxeter (soft) last October but disappointing in that sphere since and probably best watched on his return to hurdles.

Form: F-4496P

Muthabir⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 120| D

9/1

Successful over an extended 3m at Kempton (good-to-soft) in November. Struggled in two subsequent outings however and others make more appeal on this occasion.

Form: 443105

Apple Of Our Eye^b1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120| C

16/1

Disappointing in recent starts including over 2m7f at Market Rasen (good-to-soft) on his return from a break last month. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 9P-3F35

Max Forte^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 117

7/1

Put a run of disappointing efforts behind him when finishing 6L fourth at Ascot (soft) over an extended 2m7f last time out. One to note racing off the same mark in this.

Form: 42-PP74

Galactic Power²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 106| C

7/1

Successful twice over 2m5f here including on soft ground in February. Beaten 23L at Warwick subsequently and he is interesting receiving weight from all of his rivals on just his second attempt at this trip.

Form: 512413

Non-Runners

Lord Topper²¹⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: Jamie Snowden J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Skipthecuddles (9/2), The Devils Drop (9/2), Will O'The West (6/1), Lord Topper (6/1), Max Forte (7/1), Galactic Power (7/1), Theatrebar (8/1), Muthabir (9/1), Call To Order (10/1), Souriyan (12/1), Apple Of Our Eye (16/1)

LORD TOPPER has placed on two of his last three handicap starts and he can register a second victory over hurdles by taking this staying handicap event. The selection represents a good yard here and with a top jockey in the saddle he can get the better of Max Forte who ran well over this trip last time out. Theatrebar can put a disappointing effort last time out behind him stepping up in trip for this.