Racecards
15:55 Ludlow
Shropshire Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Form 1033
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer T G McCourt
- Jockey N P Madden
behind, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 3-42211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J G M O'Shea
- Jockey Dave Crosse
prominent, ridden after 7th, mistake 8th, soon weakened
Sea Wall
25- Form 503-P
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
prominent, led 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, drew clear after last, eased towards finish
- Form F25523
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer W Jenks
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
always towards rear
- Form 8/5F680-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
not fluent, led to 7th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
- Form 83076-3
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Mrs A M Thorpe
- Jockey R Johnson
held up and keen, headway 7th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat
- Form 281556
- Age 4
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer R Hollinshead
- Jockey D R Dennis
always behind
In depth
Verdict
Absolutelythebest has shown improved form to win his last two starts but he faces no easy task in a handicap today and no longer has the assistance of Tony McCoy so is passed over in favour of Ballybeg Glen, who gets the vote ahead of Fly To Dubai. The last mentioned is hard to evaluate after just four starts over hurdles and may have been let in lightly but he is hard to back with any confidence on the evidence of all known form. Sea Wall looked capable on his day on the level but has yet to really prove that he has taken to the winter game so is probably best watched, while Musally could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Ballybeg Glen, a bumper winner in Ireland, has his first start since joining the yard of Evan Williams but he can be relied upon to have a runner ready first time out and the selection may be worth chancing on his debut.
Formwatch
Fly To Dubai (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, 5th 3 out, 4th before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Mill House Girl (11-1) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl gd in Sept.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Made all, mistake 2 out, unchallenged, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Tyup Pompey (10-7) by 17l, 8 ran.
Sea Wall 6-1 (10-13) Never going well in last pair, well behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Classi Maureen (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 8 ran.
Musally 12-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Proprioception (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Ballybeg Glen (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, eased from 2 out, 17th of 20, 46l behind Rights Of Man (10-11) at Tralee 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in Aug '05.
Pilca (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Optimum (9-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Joey 14-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 9th, weakening when blundered 2 out, 6th of 14, 29l behind Veverka (11-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sept.