Nicholas Chauvin can score at Ludlow with Johnson back aboard

Nicolas Chauvin
1.20 Ludlow

Nicolas Chauvin is the only one in this field of six not to have previously won here but he still looks the one to beat.

Cumbrian handler Jimmy Moffatt is a rare visitor to these parts, but he appears to have found a winning opportunity for his nine-year-old with relatively decent prize-money on offer.

Nicolas Chauvin was a fair third at Doncaster last time out and impressed when scoring at Wetherby prior to that.

Moffatt didn’t hold back in his praise for Richard Johnson following that success as he had settled a horse who can pull hard on occasions.

It’s interesting to note that Johnson is back on board and victory awaits if he can conserve his energy again.

Motown Mick
1.45 Lingfield

Motown Mick hasn’t had the best of luck on his last couple of starts but can strike here.

Richard Hannon’s juvenile has found a slow gallop and small fields his undoing in two 7f nurseries at Kempton, plugging on into the places having been tapped for toe.

He overcame those pitfalls when winning his first two nurseries on turf but simply isn’t as well treated now.

That said, he still shapes as though he has some scope off his mark of 87 and there may be improvement to come when he gets a fast pace to aim at.

Zenovia
2.20 Lingfield

Zenovia hasn’t the best of luck on her last few starts but can score here granted better luck in running.

Archie Watson’s filly gained her first career success at Wolverhampton in October and, while she has been unable to strike in a few attempts off a 5lb higher mark since, she has certainly shaped as though her current rating of 60 is well within her scope.

She lost her place early but stayed on for fifth when the race was over before she had a chance to get involved and she never saw daylight until too late when filling the same spot over this course and distance last month.

Connections switch from cheekpieces to first-time blinkers and, if the change of headgear has a positive effect, she will be tough to beat.

Morello Royale
2.05 Newbury

Morello Royale is gradually getting the hang of chasing judged on her three starts over fences this term and can make it fourth time lucky.

Colin Tizzard switched his mare back to hurdles last time, but that was down to opportunity more than anything else as it was a Listed contest she had won previously and, with the field cutting up, she was able to pick some prize-money in fourth.

Her best effort over fences came on her latest chase start at this track over 2m6f when she finished second in a race containing rivals rated higher than those she faces here.

All her best form is over 3m so the return to this longer trip is a plus and she can provide Robbie Power with a winner on his only ride of the day.

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