17:22 Ludlow

Wednesday 22 February 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5217:22

Suzuki ATV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 5m 16.10s

Quoi De Neuf^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120

6/1

Opened chase account over 2¼m at Taunton last season but yet to fire this term, including over hurdles. Others look more solid despite a drop in class.

Form: 32P-P45

Padleyourowncanoe^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: M Blake| OR: 119| D

14/1

Useful hurdler/chaser at best for Colin Tizzard and, after 15 months off, made positive start for Dan Skelton when third in handicap hurdle at Haydock (24.3f) in December 2021. However, form has gone the wrong way since, including for new yard at Exeter 3 weeks ago, Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 874-FP5

Riskintheground⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 114

11/8

Positive start when runner-up in a bumper at Chepstow first time out last year and finished with running left when fifth in a listed event at Ascot next start. Not at that level first 3 outings over hurdles but his mark could be generous for his top yard.

Form: 256-538

The Wrekin²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 114| C| D

3/1

Three-time winner of novice hurdles in 2021 who largely performed well in handicaps subsequently in 2021. Missed all of last year and didn't show a great deal on last month's reappearance.

Form: 11756-6

Stonific^b1,t⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: K Brogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 113

14/1

Latest hurdles success was for David O'Meara at Market Rasen off 9 lb higher in July 2021. Encouraging effort for new yard following a year off at that course in September but not so good twice since to end 2022. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 1/13-564

Heros²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 107

17/2

Bumper/hurdles winner in France in 2021. Low-key start for current yard but did show a bit more like it when fifth at Southwell 3 weeks ago. Eased further 6 lb, which makes him of interest.

Form: 378-P75

Samtara^h1⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Atkins⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 106

12/1

Fair maiden hurdler but didn't really take to chasing and fared no better back over timber on Boxing Day. Hood replaces tongue tie.

Form: 62-35FP

Joyful Kit^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: H Brown| OR: 92

40/1

Modest maiden hurdler but fare start when fifth for new yard at Wincanton in November and likely to have been placed when unseating rider at Kempton 12 days ago. 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 2-2375U

Forecasts

Riskintheground (11/8), The Wrekin (3/1), Quoi De Neuf (6/1), Heros (17/2), Samtara (12/1), Padleyourowncanoe (14/1), Stonific (14/1), Joyful Kit (40/1)

RISKINTHEGROUND hasn't set the world alight over hurdles so far but he lurks on a good mark based on his bumper form and, representing a leading yard, he could be a different proposition this time. Heros has tumbled in the weights so he could be dangerous, with The Wrekin expected to step up on his reappearance.