17:10 Ludlow

Wednesday 23 March 2022

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1017:40

E F G Harris Allday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 9.10s

Faint Hope^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 117| D

11/2

Landed 10-runner handicap at Kempton in May (21f) and runner-up in 2 of 4 starts since, producing a career-best at Warwick (21f) when last seen 6 months ago. Shortlised despite his absence.

Form: 2-14272

I'm So Busy¹⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 115

13/2

In good form during the summer, winning 2m Uttoxeter maiden/novice hurdles. Narrowly denied the hat-trick on handicap bow at Worcester (20f) next time but ran poorly when last seen in September.

Form: 4-11247

Black Buble²³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 114| CD

22/1

Put together good run of form between April and June last year, including success in 2m4f handicap chase at Uttoxeter. Ungenuine side back in evidence after though and risky on return back hurdling.

Form: 3-321PP

Neverbeen To Paris⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P G Murphy| OR: 113| CD

13/2

C&D winner who capitalised on reduced mark when winning handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f) in November. Below form both starts over hurdles since though and was down the field on the Flat last time.

Form: 633176

Itacare^b,t⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 110WS

13/2

Ex-French winning hurdler/chaser who is yet to find his feet for his current yard. Has dropped further in the weights but needs another wind op to have had a positive effect. Back down in trip.

Form: 91-349P

Crystal Gazing^t¹⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 110| D

9/2

Bagged her second win this season in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f) in September and ran respectably when fourth at Stratford (16.3f) next time. Could have more to offer back up in trip.

Form: 414R14

Known⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

4/1

Frequent eye-catcher over hurdles for Nicky Henderson (sold out of that yard £25,000 last January), but now has a bit to prove after running poorly both starts this season.

Form: 3/332-P0

Equus Millar^v⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: S-J Davies| OR: 99| C

5/1

Multiple hurdles/chase winner who dropped in the weights prior to showing more for current yard on last 2 starts. Remains well treated following his second at Kempton last time (21f). Leading player.

Form: 7-PP862

Monition^b¹⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: J Groucott| OR: 96

33/1

Long-standing maiden who has disappointed on 2 of his 3 starts for his present stable, including when pulled up back from 8 months off over fences at Bangor in December. Blinkers return over hurdles.

Form: S60/5P-P

Non-Runners

Dan's Chosen⁷¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: P Hobbs & J White J: T J O'Brien

Glance From Clover²⁶

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: A Ralph J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Known (4/1), Crystal Gazing (9/2), Equus Millar (5/1), Faint Hope (11/2), Itacare (13/2), Neverbeen To Paris (13/2), I'm So Busy (13/2), Dan's Chosen (7/1), Glance From Clover (8/1), Black Buble (22/1), Monition (33/1)

EQUUS MILLAR was a useful performer at his best and, having dropped in the weights, has got back on track for his current yard. The 9-y-o can build on his runner-up effort last time to return to winning ways. Faint Hope produced a career-best when last seen and can go well with conditions to suit, while Crystal Gazing has only had 4 starts in handicaps and will benefit from going back up in trip.