15:20 Ludlow

Monday 1 April 2019

All14:1514:5015:2015:5516:2517:0017:30

Templar Medical H4H Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 36.6s

Totterdown^h²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 135| D

12/1

Much improved in the autumn winning at Huntingdon (novice) and Sandown (handicap) both from the front. Found life harder since his last win off higher marks; turned in a poor effort last time (without usual hood); marks still demands more.

Form: 31354P

Militarian²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 134| D

16/1

Enjoyed a productive spell over fences of late (last hurdles run March 2017) scoring for the third time in four starts at Leicester in February. Comfortable over a variety of distances; found a Festival handicap too testing last time; limited appeal.

Form: 21141P

Snapdragon Fire³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 132| CD

5/4

Rather uneven profile but has won three times this season; twice in handicaps before being given an easy proposition over C&D back in novice company. Will find this tougher and looks to face a tough task of this mark returned to handicaps.

Form: 1P1241

Peruvien Bleu¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 124| CD

28/1

Three-time C&D winner through 2017 but has for the most part regressed since then; disgraced himself last time (virtually refused to race), finished tailed off. Still above his last winning mark and remains one to be wary of due to his attitude.

Form: 63-26P6

Thounder²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| BF| D

6/1

Both his hurdles wins have come over 2m (first two starts for this yard) in juvenile company. Gradually regained his form of late recording three placed efforts going down to a thriving rival the last twice; mark creeping up for not winning though.

Form: 4-PU232

Court Royale⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 121| CD

11/4

C&D winner (novice, good) in October before continuing his progress to score at Taunton in November (second handicap start). Highly tried in two starts after that win (test proved too much) before taking a step back in the right direction last time.

Form: 141954

Tim Rocco^h,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Ross Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 113| D

7/1

German 1m Flat winner (useful form); showed improved attitude/form when scoring at Doncaster; responded well to pressure. Unpenalised and well treated when following up four days later (race run to suit); more to do but going the right way.

Form: 703411

Non-Runners

Potters Midnight¹⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: L Wadham J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Snapdragon Fire (5/4), Court Royale (11/4), Thounder (6/1), Potters Midnight (6/1), Tim Rocco (7/1), Totterdown (12/1), Militarian (16/1), Peruvien Bleu (28/1)

We should get a soundly run race here and that will enhance the chances of Court Royale who will appreciate this test although his stable remain rather quiet at the moment. Snapdragon Fire for all his winning form looks to have a tough task returning to handicap company and the up in grade but in form Tim Rocco would be preferred. Thounder may well have had his chance in handicaps until the assessor allows him some respite from his consistent efforts and its POTTERS MIDNIGHT who gains a narrow vote in the hope that she jumps the final flights more cleanly than she did at Fakenham last time