THE ADVISOR.

 

Ludlow is built on a sandy base so very rarely turns heavy here but heavy rain, and the bigger issue is the Course characteristics of the very narrow top bend that goes between Golf Course Bunkers and a Hedge, so when it does get wet the Course cuts up badly on that turn. A factor to take into account. They can tend to run "indian file" round here before fanning out off the final turn and down the straight so position is very important.

 

All 10 have chances but some need to conclusively prove stamina and ability in heavy.

 

Like The Sound who has some form at 3 miles plus in soft may need the run for new Trainer Oliver Signy, but if fit would be an interesting proposition at bottom of the market.Coup De Princeau is a CD winner has moved from PFN to Nick Mitchell, has good form on better ground but won't appreciate the Going and I'll leave it alone today for that reason.

 

Another who probably won't appreciate conditions is As You Like It for Jonjo, whose last win was on Good ground at Southwell and the same and also stamina concerns would rule Alan Kings Azzerti out for me too. 

 

Towards the top of the market, Brelan D'As has to be a big danger for PFNicholls, on a reducing mark since a runner up at Cheltenham and may get the trip on this easy flat right handed circuit, but surely going to be prone to a finisher in a finish when they are all out on their feet?. The value on that basis is the issue for me and value also the concern about second favourite Buster Thomas who despite a P2P win back in 2016 over 3 miles has rarely run at the distance since and never really been aimed at heavy Going either.

 

EarloftheCotswolds is the one they all have to beat, a progressive horse OK in soft, not proven at the trip and although NT-D always to be feared here, I want to take it on at the price.

 

I'm left with 3 and will have a small Tricast Perm on them.

 

In reverse order, I think ANOTHER VENTURE who was runner up here on it's last run here to HEAD TO THE STARS and who gets a 1lb pull for 2 lengths, may just need the run . Form at 3 miles off marks of 123 and 128, a mark of 135 and the 293 days off, just the worry for me.

 

KILFILUM CROSS should be fit now after 3 poor runs, a runner up at Cheltenham over 3 miles 2 furlongs in soft, won too at Chepstow and right handed at Kempton over the trip on soft Going off similar marks, 138 looks nice mark and provided its not just regressing at a rate of knots, a nice each way price and one you'd expect to run to and through the line.

 

The one I like most though is Henry Dalys HEAD TO THE STARS who won over Course and Distance last year beating Another Venture, has benefit of a run, albeit much needed, if fit now, and has won second time out before, looks well primed with stamina and Going no excuse.

 

 

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In the Ladies only Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and 5 furlongs at 3.05 there could be a significant disparity in terms of jockey ability. A few progressive types and hard to rule out any at the top end of the market. With Paul Nicholls though keen to target 100 winners by New Year he'll look at races like this as possibly "soft targets" and there is enough in the profile of GET THE APPEAL to suggest a bold run. A horse well versed in this type of event and regularly ridden by the more experienced of the Williams Sisters is VIRGINIA CHICK, the younger Eleanor rides today, she looks to be decent if not yet as accomplished as her sister, the horse though is a kind old soul and with wins at trips between 2 miles and 3 furlongs and 2 miles and 7 furlongs off marks between 114 and 123 in soft, no excuses at this median distance off a mark of 120.

 

Of the rest Jaunty Viking and Precious Eleanor could outrun Odds if you fancy a Tricast Perm.