It’s the return of jumps racing at Ludlow, which stages its first fixture of the new season on Wednesday afternoon.
The Shropshire circuit hosts a seven-race card and we get underway with a handicap hurdle run over two miles at 14:10.
15:20 – Sure Touch @ 15/8
Sure Touch has won five times from 12 starts under rules. The seven-year-old has taken a bumper as well as scoring four times over hurdles.
Olly Murphy’s charge faces just three rivals on his chase debut – the two-and-a-half-mile novices’ handicap chase at 15:20 – and he looks ready to land another score.
Sure Touch looked a progressive horse when winning over hurdles at Chepstow two starts ago and he traveled strongly when only caught close to home at Catterick last time out.
The seven-year-old was stepped up to just short of three-miles-and-two-furlongs at Catterick, and while he performed with credit, Murphy’s charge was a little keen that day and the step back in trip on Wednesday looks a wise move.
16:30 – Voice Of Calm @ 7/4
Only four runners are set to line up in the mares’ handicap hurdle run over two-mile-and-five-furlongs at 16:30 and Voice Of Calm looks a sensible wager.
The seven-year-old’s career has been rather stop-start, often punctuated by breaks. However, Emma Lavelle’s charge has cut a progressive horse and she is back on Wednesday for her second run after a wind op.
Voice Of Calm also switches back to hurdles after a poor run over fences last time out.
She has won three times and finished second on four occasions over the small obstacles and today’s trip and forecast ground should be perfect for the daughter of Poet’s Voice.
17:05 – Topofthecotswolds @ 6/1
Topofthecotswolds was rated 142 over fences at his peak and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge now runs off 124 in the handicap chase at 17:05.
Clearly, the nine-year-old may no longer be up to that top rating, but he was an excellent second off 125 at Worcester in July and he did score off the same mark at this track in November.
Topofthecotswolds has also won at Stratford three times in his career, suggesting Twiston-Davies’ charge has a liking for sharp tacks and Wednesday’s conditions should show the nine-year-old in a good light.
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