16:40 Ludlow

Wednesday 10 October 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:15

Ludlow Brewery Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 3m 35.0s

Cape Caster^p1,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 112| D

7/2

Versatile in terms of going and his last three wins have come in small fields. That gives him every chance of getting closer to Excellent Team than he did at Worcester, with cheekpieces and a 4lb pull in the weights providing further help.

Form: 2325-44

Excellent Team^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 108| CD

3/1

Took this 12 months ago off an identical mark. Beat 15 rivals that day and he would seem a better horse in big fields. Wind surgery had a positive effect last time when he possibly hit the front too soon.

Form: 144542

Blushing Red⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 107

11/2

Dual Flat winner who has shown some ability over hurdles. Well-beaten off this mark in a handicap when he was too keen and jumped right and showed similar tendencies last time. Switch to a sharp right-handed track looks sensible.

Form: 96-293

Knight Commander^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: S Flook| OR: 106| D

16/1

Well-handicapped on his form for Olly Murphy, but below-par since switching yards and best watched until promising more than he has done lately.

Form: 44-F345

Throckley^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 105

7/1

Won three races on the Flat and seems versatile in terms of surface. Stable have been in good form but he needs to show more than he did on his recent bow in a handicap hurdle.

Form: 265/424

Tripartite^p,t1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Max Kendrick| T: P W Middleton| OR: 100

7/1

Won three times at up to 1m2f for Jeremy Gask but hasn't shown too much in four starts over timber for current yard. Fast ground a plus but looks a shade too high in the weights for what he has achieved.

Form: 7545

Rocket Ronnie^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: R Patrick| T: A Wintle| OR: 91

4/1

Gained an overdue success at Newton Abbot three weeks ago. Had to work hard to do so and, as there were three years between celebrations, his chances of a quick follow up are tougher under his revised mark.

Form: 455221

Matravers⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Stock⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 88

16/1

Won twice on the Flat at up to a mile for Sir Michael Stoute but hasn't taken to hurdles in four starts to date for new connections.

Form: 975P

Forecasts

Excellent Team (3/1), Cape Caster (7/2), Rocket Ronnie (4/1), Blushing Red (11/2), Throckley (7/1), Tripartite (7/1), Knight Commander (16/1), Matravers (16/1)

Blushing Red is a potential improver now going right-handed but he has looked in need of strong handling and, if as keen on his last two starts, he may set this up nicely for last year's winner EXCELLENT TEAM who needs to be delivered as late as possible. Dan Skelton's charge showed some improvement last time following wind surgery when he probably found himself hitting the front too soon. Cape Caster is closely matched with the selection on that showing, but Rocket Ronnie has gone up more than seems fair for his latest victory