Racecards
15:55 Ludlow
Margaret Roberts Memorial Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 55y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £9,000 added
- Winner: £4,901
- 2nd: £2,258
- 3rd: £1,129
- 4th: £565
- Form 1-3P212
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Tom Broughton
pressed leader, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 7th, weakened before 3 out
- Form 12-6131
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey Ben Harvey
made all, clear last, stayed on, comfortably
- Form 3302-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Ben Clarke
- Jockey Ben Jones
held up behind leaders, closed 3rd, lost ground 6th, headway after 4 out, chased winner final bend until 3 out, jumped left and weakened 2 out
- Form 21-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
chased leaders, mistake 5th, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd and not fluent 3 out, held when not fluent last
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Sheila Lewis
- Jockey Sean Houlihan
raced in last and niggled along at times, went to run out stable bend after 5th, soon pulled up
In depth
Verdict
Cheltenam De Vaige won over a similar trip at Stratford in August with a subsequent defeat coming over fences but the veteran would have preferred a more searching test of stamina. Ooh Betty won here and at Uttoxeter in May and should be competitive again if ready after a break but the Sligo and Hexham winner LISNAMULT LAD (NAP) is developing into a decent novice and is the one to beat. Pyffo is making his debut over timber but is a half-brother to four winning jumpers and has already won a bumper so is one to note for future reference.
Formwatch
Cheltenam De Vaige (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Took keen hold, briefly led 2nd, headed 3rd, not fluent 11th, ridden before 15th, 3 lengths down 16th, soon left in lead, pressed for lead 3 out, soon headed, 1 length down 2 out, kept on one pace approaching last, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Organdi (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Lisnamult Lad (IRE) 4-11fav (11-0) Made all, shaken up and went clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep beating Belle Of Annandale (10-11) by 37l, 6 ran.
Ooh Betty (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Always prominent, switched right before 2 out, led before last, stayed on, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in May beating Manimole (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Pyffo (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 11f out, bumped and close up 2f out, not quicken 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Moon Chime (11-1) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in May.
Annhe May Native Ruler M out of Bach Me.