14:15 Ludlow

Monday 27 November 2023

All12:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:50

Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 6m 11.58s

Movie King⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B M Coonan⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 104

12/1

Opened hurdles account in a Down Royal handicap (20.4f, good) in June and has performed with credit both starts since returning from a break, latterly fourth of 10 over fences at Punchestown. This Irish raider has to enter calculations.

Form: 216734

The Scorpion King^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| OR: 102

4/1

Runner-up on second of his 2 starts in bumpers and stepped up on previous hurdles efforts when third in a Taunton maiden in January. Back on track following a tame handicap debut when fourth of 12 in a first-time tongue strap at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) but improvement needed if he's to take this.

Form: 2/P730-4

Duke Of Moravia²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 98| BF

7/2

Reached the frame all 4 hurdles starts last season, including when third in a 21f handicap here in March. Too free when sent off favourite on return at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) and better expected back here with that run under his belt, provided he copes with this step up in trip.

Form: 23433-5

Le Boulevardier^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Curling| OR: 92| D

9/2

Showed ability in bumpers/initially over hurdles for Oliver Sherwood in 2020. Did well in points last year (successful once and runner-up 3 times) but since offered little back under Rules and he's hard to warm to.

Form: 120/788

Getbazoutofhere^p,t²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 92

20/1

Winless following 9 attempts in this sphere but she has made the frame on several occasions, signing off last season with a creditable third of 8 off this mark at Ffos Las (21.9f, good to soft). This stiffer test should play to her strengths and she's in with a shout.

Form: 26/7443-

Release The Kraken^p²⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 91

12/1

Modest maiden hurdler for Nicky Richards and failed to complete all 3 starts for Laura Morgan last winter. Resumes for another new yard on an attractive mark and will be a threat if he can get close to peak 2022 form, but record stands at 0-12 in this sphere.

Form: 044UPP-

Clondaw Pretender^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 86| BF

9/1

Patchy profile but started to get it together over fences a couple of seasons back and yet to be asked for his effort when unseating 2 out following a lengthy absence at Sedgefield (21.1f, soft) last month. Well backed that day and it'll be interesting to see if support again arrives.

Form: P9224/F

Samatian^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 84

5/1

Made a winning reappearance last season on the back of a wind op at Stratford. Made the frame on each of his next 5 starts but first run of this campaign was poor (pulled up) and he now has a point to prove.

Form: 32224-P

Night Jet¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 83

15/2

Out of a mare who did well for the same connections and fair form in a couple of bumpers. Yet to make much of an impact over hurdles, though, and hopes pinned on this step up in trip sparking improvement.

Form: 5/68P4-9

Newtonian⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 77

33/1

Promise both starts in bumpers for Oliver Sherwood in 2021 but subsequent efforts over hurdles/fences have left much to be desired.

Form: 7-6665P

Non-Runners

Fantomas⁵⁵

Weight: 10-5| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Duke Of Moravia (7/2), The Scorpion King (4/1), Le Boulevardier (9/2), Samatian (5/1), Fantomas (5/1), Night Jet (15/2), Clondaw Pretender (9/1), Movie King (12/1), Release The Kraken (12/1), Getbazoutofhere (20/1), Newtonian (33/1)

The vote goes to Irish raider MOVIE KING, who has performed with credit both starts since returning from a break in September and his latest effort over fences at Punchestown was eye-catching. Clondaw Pretender represents a yard in good form and is feared on the back of an encouraging comeback run at Sedgefield where he held every chance when unseating rider at the second-last. Duke of Moravia, Fantomas and Getbazoutofhere are others to consider.