Racecards
14:05 Ludlow
Red Cross Intermediate Hurdle (Class D)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good
- Form 512114-
- Age 9
- Weight 12-4
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey R Biddlecombe
held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 611-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
in touch, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out
- Form 1054-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
always in touch, headway from 3 out, stayed on flat
- Form 0R4343-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey Mr R Young
soon clear, headed appraoching last, ridden and kept on well under pressure
Policastro
63- Form P-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Karen George
- Jockey T Siddall
behind, ridden 6th, weakened next, pulled up before last
- Form U05-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer K Bell
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakened next
- Form 3335-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up in touch, went prominent 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, slight lead last, ridden and ran on well
- Form 64U-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
held up towards rear, headway 6th, soon one pace
- Form 523313-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, eased when beaten
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer P Purdy
- Jockey P J Brennan
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
River Pirate is fancied to score a first success under Mick Fitzgerald, with Burning Truth and Pirandello most likely to fill the places. Nicky Henderson's charge was not disgraced when third on his hurdling bow at Sandown, but disappointed when favourite on a return to the Esher course on his only subsequent run. That was clearly not his form, and this better ground might be the key to him scoring his first win here. Burning Truth was a course and distance winner last October and is likely to strip fitter for his reappearance at Stratford last month, but may just struggle to concede 18 pounds to the selection, while Pirandello is on a hat trick after wins at Huntingdon and Stratford and Kim Bailey's horse should not be too far away.