Racecards
15:30 Ludlow
Ludlow Club Maiden Hurdle (Class E)
- 18 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Form 2231-5
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
always towards rear
Chalom (IRE)
65- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
held up, good headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
prominent chasing leaders, 2nd and every chance after 4 out, soon one pace
Lord Luker (IRE)
969- Form 6/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey M Batchelor
mid-division to 4th, soon behind
- Form 00P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
led to 2nd, in touch till ridden and weakened rapidly 8th, pulled up before next
- Form 63
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
in rear, some moderate late headway from 4 out
Monti Flyer
47- Form 4P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
led after 2nd, ran green approaching 6th, led to 8th, weakened rapidly next
Nickel Plate
22- Form 33-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J O'Shea
- Jockey Gary Richards
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Oatis Brook
34- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
mid-division, mistake 7th, finished well behind
Pollensa Bay
42- Form 46230
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer S A Brookshaw
- Jockey J M Maguire
prominent, ridden and mistake 7th, soon outpaced, ran on from 3 out
- Form P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in rear, some late headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
held up mid-division, headway to lead after 8th, headed before 9th, weakened next
Winsley
48- Form 10
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up mid-division, headway to take closer order 8th, led 3 out, ridden out
- Form 1F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up mid-division, ridden 9th to be nearest the finish
Bob's Sherie
14- Form F
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer W Brisbourne
- Jockey B Hitchcott
always towards rear, finished tailed off
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
in touch, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss I Craig
- Jockey C Llewellyn
mid-division, one pace from 4 out
In depth
Verdict
A relatively open look to this maiden hurdle where, without prior knowledge of any potential gambles, we will short list those with previous experience and take a chance on Blue Romance. The Paul Nicholls-trained mare did not get off to the best of starts over hurdles, falling at the first at Wincanton on Boxing Day. However, her bumper win at the same track in November promised better things and as she was not unfancied for her hurdling debut and comes out again quite quickly it seems reasonable to assume that connections are happy with her at home and feel she can put in a clear round this time. Granted that, she must go close and is our selection. Another who could go well is Winsley, the mount of Tony McCoy and one who performed well to win a debut bumper at Folkestone in November. The Sula Bula gelding comes here with a bit to prove, however, after a lack lustre effort next time at Aintree. Cooldine King showed similar form to that of Winsley when taking a Sandown bumper on his racecourse debut and got bogged down in the Lingfield mud last time. With a decent surface to gallop on here, Paul Webber's charge might just be the one to test the selection most, while we must also give mention to Mendosino, who is being brought along patiently by Venetia Williams and has frame claims here. Nevertheless, we are happy to back Blue Romance to complete and win this time.