17:00 Ludlow

Thursday 27 February 2020

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:00

Visit RacingTV Again Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 4m 3.1s

On The Quiet²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁶⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 106| D

14/1

Not completely disgraced when fifth after being pitched into a decent handicap at Sandown (2m3f; heavy) at the start of the month. Drops back in trip in what looks a far easier contest. Jockey offsets the burden of top-weight and she is considered.

Form: 4432U5

Sticky Situation¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 102

80/1

16-race maiden who has been pulled-up on each of his last three starts. Beaten before four from home last time, and is readily opposed when in such dire form. Yard run two.

Form: 507PPP

Alltimegold^p,t⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 101| BF| CDWS

6/1

Failed to justify favouritism (3-1f) when a slightly underwhelming fourth of seven at Catterick (1m7f; good to soft) on New Year's Day. Has only ever won on 'good' ground, and profile suggests that is what he prefers.

Form: 121334

Demopolis^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 100| CD

4/5

Had been underwhelming since joining this stable, but he landed a gamble on chase debut over C&D last week. Interesting that he is turned out quickly again over hurdles off a 4lb lower mark. Outstanding claims if in the same form.

Form: 80-P941

Sarasota Star^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 107

7/1

Shown promise on both his starts over hurdles so far, making the frame behind a pair of 125+ rated animals. Now makes handicap debut, and this isn't a very strong contest on paper. Should be bang there.

Form: 34

The Honeydipper^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Hicks⁽⁸⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 95

33/1

Shown next to no ability in short race career. Tailed off on both starts over hurdles when completing (pulled-up on hurdles debut). Makes handicap debut, but this mark looks stiff enough. Yard have had 14 runners since their last winner (45 days).

Form: 59P49

All Good Things^b,t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 94| D

13/2

Never won off a mark as high as this before, but hard to fault his recent second-placed effort at Uttoxeter (2m; heavy). 7lb higher now though, and the form of that contest has been let down by the winner who was pulled-up next time out.

Form: 052182

Richie Valentine^t⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Edward Austin⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 89

33/1

Failed in no uncertain terms to build on an encouraging hurdles debut when runner-up at Fontwell (2m3f; good) last March, as he has since failed to beat a single rival in two starts this season. Others preferred.

Form: 7/82-0P

Cottonvale^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 83

11/1

Modest strike-rate of just 1-37 and his recent efforts over the past six months have been woeful, so much so that he is 16lb below his last winning mark. Latest run at Taunton (2m3f; soft) would suggest he is nowhere near ready to return to form.

Form: 500000

Bonjour Steve^p,t1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: R J Price| OR: 82

66/1

Dropped a further 7lb by the handicapper after another unenthusiastic display at Huntingdon (1m7f; good to soft). Two duck eggs beside his name in both starts over hurdles in 2020. Cannot be recommended. Look elsewhere for realistic alternatives.

Form: 0564-00

Non-Runners

Zorlu⁴⁰⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: Christian Williams J: Ben Godfrey

Forecasts

Demopolis (4/5), Alltimegold (6/1), All Good Things (13/2), Sarasota Star (7/1), Cottonvale (11/1), On The Quiet (14/1), The Honeydipper (33/1), Richie Valentine (33/1), Bonjour Steve (66/1), Sticky Situation (80/1), Zorlu (100/1)

The Phillip Hobbs yard have been operating at a 27% strike-rate over the last two weeks, and it is interesting that DEMOPOLIS is turned out quickly again over the smaller obstacles after winning with something to spare here last week. If in anywhere near the same form he should follow-up. Of the remainder of the field, dangers look thin on the ground. However, both On The Quiet & Sarasota Star bring potential to the table. The former is eased in grade after a respectable effort when last seen. She showed ability when runner-up on handicap debut earlier in the season. Meanwhile, the latter makes his handicap debut after making an encouraging start to life over hurdles.