Verdict

Gasper can continue his winning ways and land this at the expense of Bob The Builder and Figaro du Rocher. The selection was in winning form at Tramore on heavy ground last time out. The ground conditions will be somewhat different this afternoon. That is the major worry as Ludlow can produce quick ground when it have has been dry. Having said that connections would not have taken the trouble to send him over with these conditions therefore market moves should be noted. Bob The Builder loves Ludlow and has won here on two occasions but his present form has not been great. He was well beaten in a more competitve event at Aintree last time out and has since had a break. If back to his best he has a chance but he is not the most consistent so has to be treated with caution. Figaro du Rocher has found life a little tough off his current handicap mark. He did win a little handicap hurdle at Taunton back in November but he is another that cannot be relied upon. His latest chase form does not look good enough so for the winner we return to Gasper.

Formwatch

Figaro du Rocher (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 15l behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.

Gaspar (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, led again 7th, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed and under pressure before 2 out, left in front at last, kept on, won at Tramore 2m beg chs hvy in Jan beating Anyportinastorm (11-12) by 10l, 13 ran.

Le Seychellois (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Mistakes, always behind, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Alderburn (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.

Bob The Builder 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place from 9th, tailed off, 15th of 20, well behind I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.

Free Gift 12-1 (11-7) Led until after 7th, chased leader, ridden after 13th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Abragante (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.

Kety Star (FR) 28-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out, last of 8, 44l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.

Sky Warrior (FR) 15-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 18l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.

Prince of Persia 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, 12 lengths 5th and staying on when blundered badly 3 out, not recover, 8th of 13, 40l behind Art Virginia (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec.