Racecards
15:15 Ludlow
Bet totepool Text tote To 89660 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £9,000 added
- Winner: £5,848
- 2nd: £1,717
- 3rd: £859
- 4th: £429
- Form 986322-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
raced on inside, chased leaders, went 2nd 2nd until approaching 7th, went 2nd again 8th until ridden, outpaced and no chance with leading pair before 3 out
- Form 23/F24-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey A P McCoy
raced towards outside, led, not fluent 7th, narrowly headed before 3 out, still upsides and travelling okay when mistake 2 out, immediately beaten
- Form 5564-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J Scott
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
raced wide, chased leader until 2nd, went 2nd again before 7th until next, led before 3 out, in command after 2 out, idled, kept on well flat
- Form 80000/7-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
took keen hold early, always last, outpaced and struggling 8th, soon eased, tailed off
- Form 566651-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer D & G McPherson
- Jockey T Molloy
Nonrunner
- Form 17/2661-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Mr H Derham
Nonrunner
- Form 7/34351-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Keevil
- Jockey James Best
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
It was fast ground when Traditional Bob broke his duck over hurdles at Stratford last month and he has to prove that was no fluke off an higher 8lb mark today given he'd never looked like winning before then. It was also good going when Balding Banker scored at Uttoxeter last time and Marshal Zhukov's recent victory at Fontwell looks stronger form. However, TROP FORT has been threatening to get his head in front of late and, after a recent second at Exeter, it could the turn of David Pipe's charge today.
Formwatch
Trop Fort (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Led until after 3rd, chased clear leader, took closer order 4 out, led before next, headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Dragon's Den (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Little Fritz (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 11, 25l behind Opening Batsman (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Pericoloso (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway from 8th, ridden after 4 out, 4th and outpaced from next, 4th of 12, 18l behind Cocacobana (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Comme Je Trouve (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, no impression 3 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Great Gusto (11-3) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Traditional Bob (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 5th, headway after 3 out, chased leader before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Red Skipper (10-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Balding Banker (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, soon led, driven right out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Oscar's Secret (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Marshal Zhukov (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leading trio, travelling well after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, driven right out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Warsaw Pact (10-7) by 14l, 8 ran.