'He's got plenty of boot' - who's confident Ludlow's tight track will suit?

Tuesday: 2.50 Ludlow
Tanners Champagne Handicap Chase | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

I used to make a lot of noise about the softness of Ludlow's fences. Not only have they seemingly been stiffened up a little in recent years, but I also realise now that the configuration has always compensated for the apparent ease of the obstacles.

In 2m chases at the track, like this one, there are 13 fences but none for the first two to three furlongs. That presents a high concentration which is all the stronger at the sharp end of races.

Up the home straight, runners jump four fences in less than two furlongs. The first of them is one of the most deceptively tricky fences on a British jumps track and the one that follows is an open ditch.

Winners rarely come from way off the pace over fences at Ludlow and that should be the main consideration in this 2m handicap chase.

As ever with these races, there is no shortage of forward-going types but few would be able to lay up with Prince Escalus if his wins at Hereford early in 2022 are any guide. He went about those races with the enthusiasm of a labrador puppy and nothing was able to match him.

Other contenders for the role of early pacesetter are headed by the decidedly hit-and-miss Peterborough, The Widdow Maker and Gumball.

The last named has had a wind operation since showing a tame response to pressure at Ascot in October, while The Widdow Maker holds some interest as a two-miler but perhaps at stiffer tracks than Ludlow.

He certainly jumps well enough to think that he can offer a clear round, even at a track that presents an unexpectedly demanding test of jumping.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Joe Tizzard, trainer of The Widdow Maker
He ran well enough at Newbury last time when he came up against Paint The Dream, who bolted up. I think a sharp track will suit our fella and we'll ride him aggressively, while he should perform well off this mark. There isn't a Paint The Dream in this – he'd run well in the Charlie Hall – and this looks the right race for my lad, who should be competitive.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Gumball
He ran very well at Ascot last time but Paddy [Brennan] just felt he might need his wind doing, so he's had surgery and hopefully it means there's a bit of improvement to come. He's run well at Ludlow before and the tightish track should suit him as he's got plenty of boot.

Tom George, trainer of Bun Doran
He was a bit fresh at Newbury last time, which was his first start of the season. I expect he'll come forward from that and he is slipping down the ratings. He's 11, and obviously isn't getting younger, but we're happy with him at home.
Race reporting by James Burn

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