15:50 Ludlow

Thursday 21 October 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Butcher Woods Ltd. Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 46.25s

Tip Top Cat²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109

11/4

Lightly-raced maiden who ran poorly when tailed-off in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (24.7f, soft) 7 months ago. Stable switch to Fergal O'Brien catches the eye so one to consider from this mark.

Form: 743/930-

Ballymilan^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102| D

7/2

Ridden differently to finally get off the mark in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell in July and doubled her tally when coping best with rain-softened conditions at Worcester last month. Respected.

Form: 062151

Glen Mooar^b1²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 100WS

14/1

Did appear to show a bit when not beaten that far in Warwick Grade 2 in January but his subsequent poor efforts in a handicaps suggests that might flatter him. Blinkers on for reappearance.

Form: F/07088-

Top Drawer¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 99

25/1

Maiden Irish pointer who struggled in a pair of handicaps back in the spring. Probably needed the run back in maiden company earlier this month and this should reveal more.

Form: 523P0-7

Imphal³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 99| BF

2/1

Four-time Flat winner who was noted travelling best before fading out of things when fourth at Plumpton (20.5f) last month. May well be sharper now.

Form: 23472-4

Dynali^t1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97

8/1

Fair Flat winner, including on AW in May. Below form back over hurdles at Worcester 23 days ago after some decent efforts on the Flat in recent weeks. Tongue tie replaces usual headgear.

Form: 347/0-5

Fraterculus^p,t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Ross Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 88

9/1

Runner-up twice over hurdles last autumn, but gone the wrong way since. Tough to assess at present so percentage call to look elsewhere.

Form: 90-08P8

Non-Runners

Major Robinson¹⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Mr Yeats⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: M F Harris J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Imphal (2/1), Tip Top Cat (11/4), Mr Yeats (11/4), Ballymilan (7/2), Dynali (8/1), Fraterculus (9/1), Major Robinson (10/1), Glen Mooar (14/1), Top Drawer (25/1)

Only a handful of these make any serious appeal, with the vote going to TIP TOP CAT. He hasn't shown a great deal so far, but it's still early days and this change of scenery could be just what Fergal O'Brien's new recruit requires on return from 7 months off. Ballymilan doubled her career tally at Worcester last month so she rates an obvious threat, ahead of Imphal.