17:50 Ludlow

Thursday 21 March 2019

All14:3015:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

G C Rickards Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 3m 45.1s

Shanroe

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: K Thornton

8/1

Brother to Graeme McPherson's useful novice hurdler Boldmere. Fetched €12,000 as a three-year-old and a rare bumper runner here for an Irish trainer who has gone a while without a winner.

Form:

Weapons Out¹⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| BF

9/2

Half-brother to six winners has run to a similar level on both outings. Second of three finishers last time and the easy winner has been well-beaten since. Has experience but vulnerable to a newcomer of average ability.

Form: 32

Benson

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: S-J Davies

40/1

£14,000 Beat Hollow gelding related to Flat/NH winner Katie Gale and four-time Flat winner Uncle Jack as well as a couple of other winners. Trainer 0-23 in bumpers over past five years.

Form:

Chestnut Pete

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech

33/1

Native Ruler gelding out of a mare who won three minor races over hurdles on fast ground. Trainer has a career record of 1-36 in bumpers.

Form:

Court Dancer

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

14/1

Court Cave gelding with bumper winners in his pedigree. His full-brother, Court Royale, finished second to Vinndication on his bumper debut here. One to note in the market.

Form:

Egypt Mill Duke¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams

33/1

By Intikhab out of a French 1m4f winning sister to 1m4f Flat/2m3f-2m6f hurdle/chase winner Questimato. Only beat one home on Doncaster debut and the stable's record in bumpers is just 6-67.

Form: 7

Shantou Express

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

6/4

Shantou gelding with winners in the pedigree although his full-brothers have failed to win under rules. Trainer having a good year in bumpers so one to note in the market.

Form:

Floressa

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

2/1

Sister to French Grade 3 winner Polygona; half-sister to Nick Williams useful performer Saint Lino. Rider may have to put up some overweight but she makes plenty of appeal on pedigree for a yard with an 8-22 record in bumpers here

Form:

Forecasts

Shantou Express (6/4), Floressa (2/1), Weapons Out (9/2), Shanroe (8/1), Court Dancer (14/1), Chestnut Pete (33/1), Egypt Mill Duke (33/1), Benson (40/1)

Nicky Henderson and Kim Bailey are having an excellent year with their bumper runners and both have strong chances here. The master of Seven Barrows relies on FLORESSA who makes a lot of appeal on her pedigree and in receipt of the fillies allowance. Shantou Express is related to horses who have been effective from 5f up to 3m6f. He is one to note in the market as his stable are having a good week. Court Dancer is another who could merit support, but Weapons Out has run to a similar modest level on both starts and he will have to do a lot better here.