Verdict

This looks competitive with Apollo Lady, Theatre Diva, Linnet and Saratogane all worthy of mention with the vote going to the last named. The selection comes here after two wins at Lingfield and Exeter. She had been highly tried in the spring of last year and was not quite up to that standard. She was dropped in grade and bounced back to form to win her latest two wins. Off this mark of one hunderd and three she looks potentially still well treated so she is difficult to oppose. Apollo Lady is the winner of four form seven and looks a nice prospect in the making. She has done nothing wrong and has as much chance as anything in the race. She comes from a yard in form and a look at the betting market might give a few clues. Theatre Diva makes life more difficult for herself carrying a seven pound penalty meaning she has twelve stone five to lump round. The one thing in her favour is she is a course and distance winner and loves Ludlow. She does have a five pound claimer rider to reduce the burden but she will find this tough. As will Linnet whose stable has had a rough time of things this season. She showed promise at Hereford last time out but will be out of her depth here. So for the winner we return to Saratogane.

Formwatch

Theatre Diva (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway approaching 9th, led 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Chilly Milly (10-3) by 3l, 8 ran.

Blaeberry 9-2 (10-0) Raced wide, tracking leaders, went 2nd 6th, led after 3 out, headed when blundered 2 out, beaten after, last of 6, 9l behind Refinement (11-12) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.

Apollo Lady 11-10fav (11-2) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, soon ridden, left in lead 2 out, driven clear from last, won at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Presenting Copper (10-10) by 9l, 17 ran.

Linnet (GER) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, ridden 2 out, headed and one pace last, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Miss Mitch (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.

Saratogane (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) won at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Back On Line (11-2) by 3l, 5 ran.

So Cloudy 12-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 9th, led and hit 3 out, blundered next, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Knockara Luck (11-2) by 4l, 13 ran.

Simple Glory (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden 7th, hampered and outpaced next, kept on to take 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Theatre Diva (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.

Aberdeen Park 10-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 20, 17l behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.