The Lowdown: Ludlow passes inspection as National runner-up turns out at Newbury

Today's news

• INSPECTION PASSED:Ludlow will race this afternoon after passing its morning inspection.

• UPBEAT UPDATE:Ascot is confident of beating the weather for the two-day meeting starting on Friday despite more heavy rain forecast tomorrow.

• APPEALING SUCCESS: The seven jockeys suspended for ignoring a void race flag in the London National at Sandown have had their ten-day suspension dismissed on appeal.

• COBDEN'S CHOICE: Paul Nicholls is backing the wisdom of youth to get things right in next week's Ladbrokes King George VI Chase even if he admits the decision Harry Cobden faces is tougher than many appreciate.

• NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: Brian Hughes and Richard Johnson matched winners yesterday to stay level but Hughes tells our Racing Riot podcast he is not thinking about the title right now.

Key links

Today's racecards
Today's non-runners
Today's free racing tipsLatest free bets

Today's meetings

**STAR MEETING**
Newbury (first race 12.20)
Magic Of Light, runner-up to Tiger Roll in the Grand National, bids to win the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares' Chase (1.55) for the second year in a row, again facing Drinks Interval, the beaten favourite and runner-up last year. Read the preview here.
Going Soft, good to soft in places
Distances: 12.20, 12.50 +80yds; 1.20, 1.55 +88yds; 2.25 +94yds; 3.00 +51yds; 3.30 +52yds
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Defi Sacre (3.00)

Lingfield (AW) (12.10)
Going Standard

Ludlow (12.30)
Going Soft (GoingStick: 6.1)

Newcastle (AW) (3.45)
GoingStandard

Dundalk (AW) (4.30)
GoingStandard

Key non-runners

Keep up to speed with today's non-runners and the latest changes with Raceday Live

Today's tips

Keith Melrose's top tip

Roll Again(2.35 Ludlow)
Shaped quite well in a similar event at Market Rasen on his chasing debut and can come on for the run and experience.

Live Tipster
Richard Birch leads our team of experts providing live insight through the day on Raceday Live.

Today's videos

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