Annual Members 2020 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 4.70s

Dolphin Square⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| BF| D

7/4

Ultra consistent since acquired by owner/rider David Maxwell; took the scalp of the progressive Kiltealy Briggs by the narrowest of margins at Wincanton (2m5½f, good) on penultimate start; appears to be attractively handicapped off a mark of 132.

Form: 14-1214

Carrolls Milan²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| CD

9/2

Gritty, determined and as tough as old boots in landing a hat-trick of wins (inc C&D) between February and April 2019; has found life slightly tougher this season (most latterly at Cheltenham); one to be written-off at your own personal peril.

Form: 2111-38

Bhutan^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| BF| C

8/1

Produced late by Jonjo O'Neill Jr to win here (2m5½f, soft) on seasonal reappearance, beating Wilde Spirit by ½L; 10lb higher on this occasion after another rock-solid effort at Catterick (3m1½f) since - rider dropped whip when challenging winner.

Form: 30-8812

Shambra²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 121| C

9/1

Has done all of her winning over hurdles on soft/heavy ground, including when beating Dan McGrue by a short-head at Plumpton (2m4½f) in October; 2lb higher here; blew her chance at the start (very slowly away) at Cheltenham latest.

Form: 233-139

Muthabir⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 118| CD

8/1

Most effective going right-handed; partnered by Richard Johnson when winning this race by a neck (off a 3lb lower mark) 12 months ago (good/soft); the opposition appears stronger this time around; placed on Kempton seasonal reappearance.

Form: 1456-93

Treasure Dillon⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 114| D

11/4

Is open to more improvement after just nine career starts, although does need to prove that he stays this trip; 7lb higher than when easily fending off El Hageb Rose at Chepstow (2m3½f, good/soft) in March; can race prominently.

Form: 2921-37

Non-Runners

Dundrum Wood⁴⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dolphin Square (7/4), Treasure Dillon (11/4), Dundrum Wood (3/1), Carrolls Milan (9/2), Bhutan (8/1), Muthabir (8/1), Shambra (9/1)

Even with the defection of Dundrum Wood, this race is potentially the most interesting on today's Ludlow card and features last year's winner Muthabir. The admirably tough Carrolls Milan shouldn't be dismissed lightly while the improving Bhutan was arguably a shade unfortunate not to double-up (rider dropped his whip) at Catterick. Nevertheless, a most confident shout goes up for the David Maxwell owned and ridden top-weight DOLPHIN SQUARE. He took the scalp of the progressive Kiltealy Briggs (Jamie Snowden) at Wincanton before staying on in a pleasing fashion on handicap debut at Newbury (3m, Class 2). He looks to be attractively handicapped off a mark of 132.