Racecards
17:30 Ludlow
Abberley Hall Old Boys Association Hunters' Chase (Class 5)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 1PU-1U4
- Age 8
- Weight 12-4
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer R Barber
- Jockey Mr O Greenall
led from 1st, headed after last, no extra
- Form P5-22P2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer R Smart
- Jockey Mr B Furnival
mid-division, hit 5 out, never dangerous
- Form 8P0/082-
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer C Robinson
- Jockey Mr A Wadlow
mid-division, pushed along halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
- Form 141622
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer P Hall
- Jockey Mr J F Mathias
led to 1st, tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
- Form P8/385-5
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Mrs A R Hewitt
- Jockey Mr J Hamer
held up towards rear, pushed along after halfway, reminders approaching 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form U23-PS3
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer H J Franklin
- Jockey Mrs C Hardwick
tracked leaders, weakened from 12th
- Form 54-URF3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer Lady S Brooke
- Jockey Mr L R Payter
held up in mid-division, towards rear from 10th, pulled up after 3 out
- Form 5212F8/
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Mr A J Berry
always behind and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
- Form 0B67-78
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer P S Davies
- Jockey Mr D J Griffiths
held up in touch in 4th, headway approaching 4 out to chase leading pair, not fluent when well held in 3rd 2 out
- Form 63-1512
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Miss J Du Plessis
- Jockey Miss J Buck
towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 10th, went 2nd at 12th, challenged 2 out, led after last, pushed out
- Form 6-11P11
- Age 9
- Weight 12-4
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer Mrs A Rucker
- Jockey Mr R Burton
Nonrunner
- Form 122283
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey Mr Tom David
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
CEDRUS LIBANI romped away with a similar race to this over course and distance last time and looks a good thing to complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Ofarel D'airy, while Whataboutya is an interesting runner after a lengthy absence. The last-named is best off at the weights here when taking into account official ratings, but he has to prove his fitness after being off the track for over two years. Jonjo O'Neill's runner will be even more interesting if backed, though his best form has been on faster ground and we will take him on. Ofarel D'airy is a former Paul Nicholls-trained runner now with Richard Barber. Trip and ground should suit this lightly-raced eight-year-old and he is respected. Goscar Park also goes in these conditions but might find the trip a little on the short side and a better proposition looks to be Theatre Diva, who loves soft ground and goes well at this track, and over the trip. A market check is advised there, though we will stick with Cedrus Libani. The nine-year-old has won four of his last five starts, including point-to-point runs, the last two being over course and distance, and he looks likely to win this on the way to enjoying a very successful spring campaign.
Formwatch
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 6-4fav (12-4) Held up behind, blundered 12th, mistake next, hit 14th, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Templer (11-13) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Brookview Lad (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Ap; jnd ldr 3 out; nt qckn nxt, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Jolly Rock (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Donovan (NZ) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Andrew Nick (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep '08.
Goscar Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Mad Victor (11-3) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
In Hot Pursuit (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 3 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Nomadic Dreamer (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Redskyatnight 12-1 (12-0) Led 3-6; lft in ld nxt; hdd 4 out; wknd rap, 3rd of 12, well behind Taken On Trust (12-0) at Whitfield 3m ptp sft in Mar.
The Hairy Mutt (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Hdwy 13; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Hoh Nelson (12-0) at Garnons 3m ptp in Mar.
Whataboutya (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, some progress halfway, 9th 5 out, 7th 3 out, no extra after 2 out, 8th of 12, 19l behind Well Tutored (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar '08.
Lan Na Lamh (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs; led 12-14; wknd qckly 3 out, 8th of 18, 31l behind The Howardian (12-0) at Garnons 3m ptp in Mar.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, led 4 out, hit 3 out hard, headed next, held last, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Here's Johnny (11-9) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) Made all, not fluent 7th, 3 lenghts ahead when left well clear 4 out, eased flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Mar beating Silver Adonis (12-1) by 33l, 8 ran.
Baren De Doc (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) With leader, hit 4th, led 6th until next, reminders after 10th, every chance approaching 3 out, no impression on winner from next, scrapped for 2nd until towards finish, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Sarde (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft in Mar.