15:20 Ludlow

Friday 5 January 2024

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Luke Watson Memorial 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 36.11s

Awaythelad^p1,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 112

16/5

Fair form in bumpers and has finished in the money on 4 of his half-a-dozen starts since switched to hurdles, most recently chasing home one who was clearly well ahead of his mark in a Lingfield handicap (19.5f, good to soft). Big player back in novice company with first-time cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 23P2-72

Best Life²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley

66/1

First past the post on his second run between the flags last spring but subsequently disqualified. Readily brushed aside on his Rules debut in a Market Rasen novice (20.6f, heavy) and probably more of a long-term prospect.

Form: 41-4

Dish Of The Day⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Nicky Martin

40/1

Hinted at ability sole outing in bumpers and did likewise starting out over hurdles at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) in November. Still, he appeals as the type who will be seen in a better light in handicaps further down the line.

Form: 6-5

Free The Lion⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: J Butler

100/1

Closely related to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Bavington Bob (19f-3m winner). Made the frame all 3 completed starts in maiden points but doesn't appeal as a likely winner on this Rules debut.

Form: F/3FB3-4

Gustoso⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly

25/1

Well beaten sole outing in bumpers and while he bettered his hurdles debut effort when fourth of 15 in a Wetherby novice last time, this 5-y-o is another who looks more of a handicapping prospect. Yard also saddles Industrialist.

Form: 464

Haiti Couleurs²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis

7/2

Made the frame both starts in maiden points back in 2021 and showed plenty of ability when chasing home a useful-looking novice from the Paul Nicholls yard on Rules debut at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) last month. Major player here with improvement on the cards.

Form: 42/2

He Knows Better^t1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| BF

6/1

Showed fairly useful form when placed on 2 of his 3 bumpers starts for Harry Whittington last season. However, his hurdles debut third for new yard at Uttoxeter was rather underwhelming and now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 352-3

Industrialist^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly

50/1

Has shown some promise in a trio of bumpers but last month's reappearance/hurdles debut at Aintree was hardly inspiring.

Form: 904-P

I See The Sea³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

10/1

Fetched £160,000 after finishing second in an Irish point in May and stepped up on his Rules debut display when fourth in a 9-runner Bangor maiden hurdle (19.6f, heavy). Probably another to look out for in handicaps in due course.

Form: 254

Magical Escape^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

10/3

Showed promise in a couple of bumpers last winter and left hurdles debut form well behind when second of 13 in first-time cheekpieces at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) where he pulled miles clear of the rest with the winner. Stiffer test here will suit and he's a strong candidate.

Form: 65-02

Nippin N Poppin⁴⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts

250/1

Well beaten on debut in a bumper at Worcester (2m, soft) in September 2022 and similar outcome likely now switched to hurdles.

Form: 7-

Shuile Warrior¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: Simon Edwards

250/1

Tailed-off last of 3 on his recent introduction in a Southwell bumper, form which he'll need to leave a long way behind if he's to have a say on this hurdles debut.

Form: 3

Ted's Gift³⁰

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

15/2

Scorpion gelding who improved with each of his 3 starts in bumpers, most recently opening his account here (15.8f, heavy) last month. That form is probably nothing to get excited about but he's in good hands and should make his mark in this sphere.

Form: 321

Youlneverwalkalone⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

14/1

Clear signs of ability in bumpers at Huntingdon and Warwick last year. Improvement will certainly be needed if he's to make a winning start over hurdles here but it'll be interesting to see what the market has to say.

Form: 84

Lizzie Rey²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips

300/1

Looked in need of the experience when fifth of 10 in bumper at Southwell on debut last spring, and offered no encouragement on return/hurdles debut 3 weeks ago.

Form: 5-0

Molto Bene³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon

33/1

Showed a bit on her debut when fifth of 10 in maiden hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) at the end of November. However, a significant step forward will be needed if she's to emerge on top here.

Form: 5

Forecasts

Awaythelad (16/5), Magical Escape (10/3), Haiti Couleurs (7/2), He Knows Better (6/1), Ted's Gift (15/2), I See The Sea (10/1), Youlneverwalkalone (14/1), Gustoso (25/1), Molto Bene (33/1), Dish Of The Day (40/1), Industrialist (50/1), Best Life (66/1), Free The Lion (100/1), Shuile Warrior (250/1), Nippin N Poppin (250/1), Lizzie Rey (300/1)

MAGICAL ESCAPE, Haiti Couleurs and Awaythelad are likely to emerge as the chief protagonists, with preference for the first-named who took a big step forward when a clear second at Chepstow, form which was boosted when the third scored next time. Haiti Couleurs found only a useful novice too good at the same course and he is open to improvement, while Awaythelad was also runner-up on his latest start and should go one better before long. Bumper winner Ted's Gift could be best of the rest.