16:19 Ludlow

Thursday 3 November 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1415:4916:19

Michael Oliver Memorial Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:19 | Winning time: 5m 12.36s

Grange Road¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr James King| T: G Hanmer| OR: 120| BF

25/1

Failed to kick on from a positive start over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and seemed amiss on chasing debut at Worcester 5 months ago. Needs to revive for his new yard.

Form: 12F32-P

What About Time³³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Cian Chester⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 115

25/1

Point winner who made a successful hurdles debut at Uttoxeter in November 2020. Failed to build on that in two subsequent starts and has been off 11 months.

Form: 3211/58-

Chives²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Freddie Mitchell| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115

9/2

Generally progressive over hurdles and enhanced an excellent strike rate when landing a 10-runner event at Worcester on the back of an absence 28 days ago. Should go well again.

Form: 3/1131-1

Une De La Seniere^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113| CD

12/1

Three-time winner over hurdles for this yard but arrives on the back of a couple of sub-par efforts. Others preferred.

Form: 643285

Ballintubber Boy^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

5/1

Better than ever but typically jumped clumsily when making a winning return at Stratford 31 days ago. This is much tougher but he's not one to write off.

Form: 11P66-1

Lock's Corner^p,t⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Anthony O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113| BF| D

12/1

Far more miss than hit as a chaser and arrives on the back of a laboured display at Newton Abbot 75 days ago. Now back over hurdles off a potentially lenient mark, and warrants a market check.

Form: 76P6-23

Tiger Orchid^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Jason Dixon| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112| C

13/2

Dual bumper winner who has proved fair over hurdles and was back to form when landing a 4-runner event at this course a fortnight ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 213251

Iron Heart^b³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 109

22/1

Produced just about his best effort to date when second at Worcester (20f) in June and was back on track when a respectable fourth at Bangor last time. Drop back in trip will help and he's not discounted.

Form: 2-526U4

Welsh's Castle^p,t¹⁸⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr I Herbert⁽⁷⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 105

80/1

Fair form over hurdles/little impact in chases for Ben Case. Placed again in point when last seen in May.

Form: 74433-2

Rock Legend^p1,t1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 105

7/1

Fair hurdler who ran creditably when third in a novice at Fakenham 20 days ago and should give his running again. He's vulnerable to less-exposed types though.

Form: 215-253

Blenkinsop¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 104

5/2

Lightly-raced hurdler who finished with running left when fourth in a novice at this course 179 days ago. Step up in trip looks sure to suit and he's a notable handicap debutant.

Form: 8853-4

Equus Millar^p1¹²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Jess Stewart⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 94| C

33/1

Course winner. Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. Again disappointing at Worcester 4 months ago and returns with a bit to prove.

Form: 24F-759

Forecasts

Blenkinsop (5/2), Chives (9/2), Ballintubber Boy (5/1), Tiger Orchid (13/2), Rock Legend (7/1), Lock's Corner (12/1), Une De La Seniere (12/1), Iron Heart (22/1), Grange Road (25/1), What About Time (25/1), Equus Millar (33/1), Welsh's Castle (80/1)

BLENKINSOP shaped with encouragement in novice hurdles and promises to be well suited by this longer trip, so he is worth taking a chance on now switched to handicapping under a rider that is good value for her claim in these events. The likeable Chives is an obvious danger and Tiger Orchid deserves respect,