13:55 Ludlow

Wednesday 21 February 2024

All13:5514:2514:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Suzuki ATV UK 'King Quad' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 4m 10.66s

Deep Strato⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain JnrWS

100/1

Successful on his sole outing in points but ran below expectations when fourth of 7 in a Sedgefield bumper in November. Shaped better than the distance beaten suggested when well held on hurdling debut at Newcastle a couple of months ago and he should improve (had a wind op).

Form: 1-40

Diamond Dice¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill

18/1

Held every chance when departing at the last in point and some promise in bumpers this term. Showed aptitude for hurdling but didn't quite last out when sixth of 12 in novice at Carlisle (17f, soft) just over 2 weeks ago and should do better with that under his belt.

Form: F2566

Gentleman Jacques⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107

10/3

Fair form in bumpers and has made the frame all 3 starts since switched to hurdles, shaping better than the distance beaten suggested when fourth of 15 at this C&D (soft) a couple of months ago. One to consider with Cobden taking over.

Form: 49-3324

Lucky Lugger²⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Sheppard

150/1

Little show in 2 bumpers back in 2022. Can only be watched sent hurdling for a new yard (pulled up all 3 starts in points, latest May 2023).

Form: 05/PP-P

Mount Olympus⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A KingWS

40/1

Fairly useful handicapper on the Flat who won 3 times in 2023. Better than the distance beaten suggested when tailed-off eighth at Hereford on hurdling debut in November but checked out fairly tamely. Had a wind op and looks one for the longer term.

Form: 8

Radharc Na Slaine^t1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: D A Rees

250/1

Maiden Irish pointer who has shown little in novice/maiden hurdles this winter. Tongue tie on and a huge step forward is required.

Form: 3-430PP

Tout Sur Moi^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams

22/1

Showed some promise in a couple of bumpers and did likewise sent hurdling when sixth of 14 in novice (66/1) at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) last month. Handicaps later on likely to be more suitable.

Form: 4-06

Zoeman⁵⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: T R George| BF

25/1

Great Pretender gelding was strong in the betting and made a promising start to his career when runner-up in juvenile hurdle at Ffos Las (15.8f, good to firm) in October 2022. Presumably had his problems to not have been seen since but is open to progress.

Form: 2-

Bella Cavalla²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland

150/1

Milan mare was sent off a big price and went with little immediate promise when well held in a Fontwell bumper (17.7f, soft) last month. Best watched on hurdles bow.

Form: 8

Lindy Reilly^t⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

10/3

Kayf Tara mare who was sent off a huge price but produced an encouraging first effort in this sphere from an unpromising position when third of 15 in novice at this C&D (soft) 9 weeks ago, keeping on gradually straight under hands-and-heels riding. Sure to improve.

Form: 3

Mo Zola^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: B Clarke| D

250/1

Won sole start in point bumpers but pulled up all 3 goes over hurdles. Set for another struggle.

Form: 1-PPP

Golden Maverick¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| BF

2/1

Fairly useful 5-time winner on the Flat (stays 14.5f) for Ian Williams. New connections acquired him for 100,000 gns in the autumn and made a promising start over hurdles after 4 months off when runner-up in juvenile at Catterick (15.7f, soft) earlier this month. Can go one better.

Form: 2

Hamsiyann^t1⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: A J Martin

5/1

Fairly useful Flat winner but well beaten on both starts over hurdles in December. Likely to have more chance in handicaps after this.

Form: 80

Karaktere D'enfer⁷¹

8/1

Close second of 11 to a useful sort in a newcomers race at Fontainebleau last March. Not beaten far when last of 3 on Doncaster British debut in November but, fitted with a first-time tongue tie, finished tailed off at Fontwell (17.7f, heavy) 10 weeks ago. Had a wind op since.

Form: 2-34

Snow Forecast³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

250/1

Modest maiden on the Flat. 500/1, first run since leaving Jonathan Portman when tailed-off seventh of 11 in juvenile at Warwick (2m, heavy) on hurdle debut 30 days ago.

Form: 7

Non-Runners

Boundary Jack⁵⁷

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: Mrs M Rowley J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Golden Maverick (2/1), Gentleman Jacques (10/3), Lindy Reilly (10/3), Hamsiyann (5/1), Karaktere D'enfer (8/1), Diamond Dice (18/1), Tout Sur Moi (22/1), Zoeman (25/1), Mount Olympus (40/1), Boundary Jack (50/1), Deep Strato (100/1), Bella Cavalla (150/1), Lucky Lugger (150/1), Mo Zola (250/1), Snow Forecast (250/1), Radharc Na Slaine (250/1)

GOLDEN MAVERICK was a big improver on the Flat for Ian Williams in 2023 (5-time handicap winner) and while he was unable to land the odds when finishing runner-up on his hurdling debut at Catterick recently, this looks a good opportunity to go a place better. Lindy Reilly finished with running left on her hurdling bow here 9 weeks ago, so she's put forward as the main threat, with Gentleman Jacques and Zoeman also considered.