The class 2 handicap at Ludlow features some recognisable names on Wednesday. Our experts have gone through the field, alongside an exclusive offer from bet365 where you get £50 in Free Bets when you bet £10.
FIDELIO VALLIS 7/2
A very useful novice chaser last spring, Fidelio Vallis really came into his own from March onwards, winning four on the spin over fences, the latter two of those in handicaps.
He was therefore still eligible for novice contests in October. Neither quite went to plan at Chepstow or Cheltenham, but that has meant he is only 3lb higher than for his most recent victory at Warwick.
Back in handicap company, he should be more at home, but because this race is a 0-145, his mark of 146 will ensure he carries 12st 3lb, a hefty burden. That may prove tough to carry over the line here.
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GUMBALL 9/2
Gumball looked to be on the way to a big victory in last season’s November Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, but his fall at the second last there has rather symbolised his subsequent efforts in this sphere.
He was well-beaten twice by Shishkin, understandably enough, but his handicap chase debut went particularly poorly at Newbury last time.
Even down another 4lb, there are now questions for him to answer and far more is required. A more positive ride is probably in order, as that seemed to benefit him earlier in his novice career.
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GETAWAY TRUMP 14/1
A fall at Aintree in April may have resulted in a complete collapse in confidence for Getaway Trump.
Having won impressively at Doncaster off this mark, it would be plausible to think a bounce back was imminent. However, his three starts since that fall have been fairly lifeless, especially his two efforts so far this term.
A return to anything like his best form would see him go close, but he is not the first choice at his yard even in this race and he is opposable until showing more encouraging signs.
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ROCKSTAR RONNIE 9/2
Two wins out of three starts over fences do not quite tell the whole story for Rockstar Ronnie.
He was very well beaten on his first at Newton Abbot when last of four, but bounced back strongly to take victory at Kempton and move up to his current mark.
At the same track and trip, he won again in a three-runner novice, but was booked for second until likely winner Sebastopol fell at the last. That left his mark unaffected, but whether he is able to defy it in this stronger race is debatable.
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NOT AVAILABLE 5/2
Matt Sheppard’s six-year-old has had an incredibly consistent career to date having never finished outside of the top three in his 11 starts under rules.
The first eight of those came for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland, but Not Available has continued that run for Sheppard, despite going off at 14/1, 16/1 and 14/1 again in his three British starts.
A second on his debut for the yard at Worcester was followed up by a third-placed effort at Chepstow. However, in a useful novice event at Newbury, he defied being the rank outsider to score by 2 ¾ lengths.
He is only up another 3lb and the minimum trip of two miles seems to suit this horse’s galloping style. Another victory looks very possible here.
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ASHUTOR 28/1
Two summer handicap successes were the pinnacles of Ashutor’s career for Paul Nicholls before he was bought for £14,000 by Leech Racing Ltd in August.
He now runs for Sophie Leech, but he never travelled on his stable debut at Newbury, his odds of 66/1 a sign of what might have been to come.
Even the fact he has been eased 5lb does not inspire confidence.
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DESQUE DE L’ISLE 7/2
With so many of Venetia Williams’ running beyond themselves in recent weeks, there is still a chance that Desque De L’Isle will come good in similar fashion in the near future.
He was a cosy winner on his first start this season before finishing fourth at Sandown in a hotter race at the beginning of December. He was unable to make an impact from the back of the field that day, but with question marks over a few in this field, he may be able to make his presence felt more here.
Charlie Deutsch takes over in the saddle for his retained stable and he is right there with a chance.
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BIG RACE VERDICT
Desque De L’Isle is respected with his yard in such terrific form, but having never finished out the top three, a 3lb rise for NOT AVAILABLE does not look overly harsh, with the race he won seemingly a strong one at Newbury. Gumball is the only horse to have won at Ludlow in the past, but he has to prove himself in handicap company yet.
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