Crosse and Bailey could add some spice to Ludlow action

Dave Crosse has a rare call-up to ride for Kim Bailey at Ludlow on Wednesday, where the pick of his two mounts is chasing newcomer Little Chunk in one of the features, the Ludlow Club Chase Novices' Limited Handicap (2.20).

Crosse is taking his first rides in more than five years for Bailey, prior to which he had six unsuccessful mounts for the Cheltenham handler, but is expected to be competitive on the former useful hurdler here.

The six-year-old takes on the likes of Ascot third Copain De Classe in the eight-runner contest, where the ground is expected to be testing.

Half an hour earlier Crosse teams up with winning Irish pointer Kilfilum Cross, who like Little Chunk is owned by Gary Tardi, on his belated debut over rules in the Jubilee Restaurant Maiden Hurdle (1.50).

Bailey, who enjoyed a successful start to 2018 when Cresswell Legend scored at Musselburgh on New Year's Day, said: "The owner has a connection to Mr Crosse and wanted him to ride both his horses at Ludlow.

"Little Chunk has schooled very well, so I'm not worried about his jumping, but the ground could be an issue. He needs this run to qualify for handicaps so we'll see how we get on."

Mixboy in the mix again in Scotland

Mixboy goes for back-to-back wins in the feature at Musselburgh, the Get Daily Tips at racinguk.com Kilmany Cup Handicap Chase (3.00), in which he shoulders topweight.

Although he has been without a win over jumps since that 21-length triumph over Thankyou Very Much, Keith Dalgleish's charge has proved more productive on the Flat and has earned his keep with victories at Ripon and Catterick at the backend of the turf season.

Since then, connections even ventured onto the all-weather for the first time with the eight-year-old at Wolverhampton last month to put him cherry ripe for this, and he did not fare badly when finishing sixth in a 1m4f handicap.

Mix Boy has had a productive time on the Flat and returns to chasing on WednesdayCredit: John Grossick 07710461723

Jason Maguire, racing manager to owners Paul and Clare Rooney, said: "Fair play to Keith as he's done a great job getting Mixboy back to win on the Flat and now he's ready to go back over fences.

"He took a heavy fall at Ayr in April, which he took time to recover from, and he's fine to return to Musselburgh, where we know he likes the track."

Great Scott

George Scott has a decent 30 per cent strike-rate at Southwell and produced a remarkable training performance to produce Jack The Truth to lose his maiden status after a near ten-month absence at the East Midlands track last month.

The son of Dandy Man burst out of the stalls to slam Ladies First by three lengths over 6f that day, and a similar showing looks on the cards over the minimum trip.

Scott said: "Jack The Truth had a niggly problem which kept him off the track for a while, but it's sometimes not the end of the world for horses like him as they can need that extra time to develop.

"The plan now is to win races with him and this doesn't look a tremendously strong race for his first go in a handicap."

King Edward?

Ed Dunlop is packing a 50 per cent strike-rate over the festive period and has chances of further bounty at Wolverhampton's twilight fixture with Arnarson (5.10) and the prolific King Kevin (6.40).

King Kevin came from an unpromising position under a fine ride from Robert Havlin to nail the gallant Victoriously over course and distance on Boxing Day, and the way he won suggests the resulting 6lb penalty will not be a problem granted a clear run.

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