TimeformBlog

Donald McCain and Jason Maguire combined for a treble at Bangor yesterday and the pair can get off to the best possible start at Ludlow today via hurdling debutant [b]Call Back[/b] (14:30) in the opening two-mile novice event. Call Back was much improved on his second start when winning a Newcastle bumper in December and was not disgraced in a hot Cheltenham event (third won next time) at the beginning of January that usually works out well, suggesting that he could be one to take seriously once sent hurdling. He gets the chance to prove that synopsis correct in what looks a winnable race this afternoon and, while Call Back's owner will be hoping for Supreme Novices' success with another son of Beat Hollow in the shape of Cinders And Ashes at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, he can celebrate...

[b]14:30[/b] - Dark Shadow looks like a sensible selection in the opening novice hurdle, with his form to date over obstacles looking just about the most solid on offer. With the defection of Hoare Abbey, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old goes is as a banker. [b]15:00[/b] - The first of a few tricky seven-runner - and so only two places - races on the card, and it could pay to play things safe with the two 'obvious' ones. Tiger O'Toole was a decent hurdler and shaped better on his latest chase start over two miles, giving the imrpession that he'd appreciate this step up to two and a half miles. U B Carefull posted solid efforts on his first three completed starts over fences, and seemed to get bogged down in heavy ground last time. With a break to freshen him up and the return to a sounder...

[b]Politeo[/b] is fairly useful on his day, successful twice over fences early last year. Sound start for new yard when runner-up at Ascot (19f) in November, but attitude hasn't been ideal either outing since. [b]Carrickmines[/b] has been in cracking form over hurdles of late, winning 2 of last 3 starts. Higher mark to contend with over fences but well treated on form he showed when winning Kempton handicap chase 11 months ago. [b]Vincitore[/b] got off mark over fences in maiden at Worcester, and followed up when too strong for Aldertune over same C&D in October. Below form in a couple of handicaps since and others stronger for now. [b]Fort View[/b] tends to race lazily but won 3 of first 4 starts under Rules, including a hunter chase. Disappointing in recent months, however, his...

[b]Grams And Ounces[/b] left Seamus Durack and much improved for new yard to win handicaps at Hereford and Leicester (tongue tied latter occasion). 10 lb higher mark (including penalty) may not prevent hat-trick. [b]Credit Swap[/b] was the Cambridgeshire winner in 2010 who made winning hurdling debut at Leicester a year ago. Not progressed as expected since, well held in 2 handicaps this term, but yard back in better form now. [b]Pepite Rose[/b] was a fairly useful juvenile last season, scoring twice after coming over from France. Moved well for much of race when fourth of 11 to Grams And Ounces at Leicester last time, but that one still preferred. [b]Sahrati[/b] is a one-time useful performer on Flat who racked up a quick-fire hat-trick over hurdles in summer of 2010. Let down...

[b]Timeform run the rule over a competitive handicap chase at Ludlow on Wednesday...[/b] [b]Cast Cada[/b] was a fairly useful hurdler, but not so good over fences, lucky to open account (left clear) in 3-finisher maiden at Southwell in 2010. No promise on return here and blinkers now added to usual tongue tie. [b]Fort View[/b] tends to race lazily but won 3 of first 4 starts under Rules, including 3m Huntingdon handicap in April. Disappointing both comeback starts this autumn, however, so hard to be confident now. [b]Ten Fires[/b] was a fairly useful staying chaser in Ireland, and would have run close to form but for falling heavily last (challenging for second at time) at Punchestown in October. Has left Dessie Hughes since. [b]Edgeover[/b] won a maiden chase at Market Rasen...

Two of today's SmartPlays come from Ludlow, and first up from the Shropshire venue is [b]The Chazer[/b] (13:10) trained by Richard Lee. A winner over hurdles at Newbury last season, The Chazer had the misfortune to come up against this year's Champion Hurdle runner-up and current ante-post Arkle favourite Peddlers Cross on his chase debut at Bangor last month. Although flattered to get so close to the facile winner, (beaten four-and-a-half lengths) it was a promising introduction to fencing from The Chazer and the handicapper may have been a tad generous by leaving his official rating unchanged on a mark of 121. Placed in points earlier in his career the six-year-old looks the type to make a better chaser, and can start proving that point this afternoon. Alan King has his team in tremendous...