16:10 Ludlow

Wednesday 23 February 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Suzuki ATV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 5m 17.30s

Whatsupwithyou^p1¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 120

7/1

Useful hurdler who finished a fine fourth in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival last March. Largely below par so far this term, but mark is on the slide and now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 40-6368

Judicial Law²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 116

10/1

Irish bumper winner who left previous hurdles form behind when landing an Exeter novice (16.7f, heavy) last month. Excuses next time and one to consider now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 4-15515

Glencassley⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 116

11/2

Successful first 2 starts in this sphere prior to struggling in Grade 2 Cheltenham novice in November. Right back on track at Doncaster (19.4f, soft) last time and possibilities back up in trip here.

Form: 6-11563

Ballinslea Bridge¹⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 115

150/1

Ended 2018 with back-to-back 19f hurdling wins for Olly Murphy. However, failed to complete both starts over fences for Gary Moore last term and offered little back hurdling for new yard in November.

Form: 236/FP-P

Lounge Lizard^p1⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 115

10/3

Has made the frame all 3 starts over hurdles, chasing home Gentleman At Arms (since placed in Grade 2/listed company) in a 19.6f Huntingdon novice latest. Cheekpieces enlisted for this handicap debut.

Form: 2-422

Steinkraus²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| C

10/1

Doubled his tally in a 3m handicap here in September. Didn't do much wrong when second off this mark last time at Doncaster and, with this drop back in trip no problem, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 214132

Electron Bleu²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R Law-Eadie⁽¹⁰⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109| BF

10/3

Below par for Tim Vaughan last term, but has come down the weights and was in the process of running well when falling at the last on return/debut for new yard at Leicester (20.5f, soft). Key player.

Form: 68348-F

Cafe Pushkin²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 108

15/2

Stepped up on low-key reappearance/handicap debut when just touched off at Fontwell (21.8f, good to soft) last time. 3 lb rise fair enough and he should make his presence felt.

Form: 450-72

Finalshot^h³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 102

14/1

Fair in this sphere at his best and, equipped with a first-time hood, he wasn't disgraced in a handicap chase on return for new yard over 3m here last month. Still, others make greater appeal.

Form: F345-P5

Groom D'Oudairies²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 96

50/1

Didn't shape badly when fourth on hurdles debut at Ffos Las last May. However, he has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts and step forward needed now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 9/34-477

Beau Haze³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 92

25/1

Bagged a trio of handicaps at around 2½m handicaps in the first half of last year. Largely respectable efforts this time round, but he's 2 lb 'wrong' at the weights and looks vulnerable here.

Form: 134375

Non-Runners

Neon Moon⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: T Scudamore

Happy And Fine²⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: A M Hales J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Lounge Lizard (10/3), Electron Bleu (10/3), Neon Moon (9/2), Glencassley (11/2), Whatsupwithyou (7/1), Cafe Pushkin (15/2), Judicial Law (10/1), Steinkraus (10/1), Finalshot (14/1), Happy And Fine (16/1), Beau Haze (25/1), Groom D'Oudairies (50/1), Ballinslea Bridge (150/1)

There are several to consider in this competitive handicap and ELECTRON BLEU could be the pick of them. He would've finished in the money but for falling at the final flight on debut for this yard at Leicester following a 10-month absence, and that spin will have blown away the cobwebs. Unexposed handicap debutant Lounge Lizard is second choice ahead of Judicial Law, Glencassley and Neon Moon.