THE ADVISOR - Ludlow 2.25 - Class3 - mares Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - 10 run - Good (bit of Good to Soft - watered)

 

It's a tightly framed and decent little race and hard to rule anything out especially with a few progressive recent winners upped in grade, a few who may start to fire now we have Spring in the air and one in particular who may have some quite well hidden form.

 

At the top end of the market Flying Nun for Emma Lavelle steps up in Class off an increased mark with previous wins off 94 and 99 and 102 last time to a mark of 109. She will be a big danger as will Lady Glitters for Henry Daly with form figures of 1-9-1 including a Course and Distance win off 99 and a subsequent win off 104 at Hereford, a mark of 110 might just blunt that progress though although this would be my win-saver suggestion. Lets Go To Vegas has a 3 miles P2P background and will surely improve for this trip, she ties in form wise with Lorens for Dan Skelton who also has some past 3 mile P2P form in her locker and whose progress may have been boosted by a wind operation. I fear all of those and would find it hard to split them to be honest.

 

I'm equally convinced that the likes of Ucanaver who come from an in form yard but with stamina to prove, Terresita who has wins off 104 and 119 rights handed and who is dropping down the ratings running off 117 with a 7lbs claim today and Tequila Blaze who runs for Fergal O'Brien with Paddy Brennan in the saddle who has been poor recently but plenty of old form, will also be very solid and worthy contenders. Sacre Coeur for Jonjo is equally dangerous, as it's a typical Yard inmate, blows occasionally very hot, but cold too often but the sort you can't ever discount.

 

The one I can't take my eyes off though is the rank outsider, the fact that Donald mccain trains one at this price opened one eye on the form, the fact they've booked Brian Hughes the Champion Jockey certainly opened both eyes wide. If you look at the UK form its suggestive of the reason for the price but it's not been in the UK that long and had a couple of sighters. The Irish form however clearly suggests the further this horse has gone the more consistent it has been and this is as easy a 3 miles as you'll get in the UK. On some solid collateral form I think the mark is generous enough and I'm happy to take a speculative punt on her in such an open race. 

 

TIP - Merry Poppins