16:20 Ludlow

Thursday 18 January 2018

All13:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

Clive Pavilion Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 3m 43.35s

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Selected odds by:

Delirious Love⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

33/1

10-1 for his debut at Doncaster (good to soft) last month, where he was keen enough and weakened to be beaten 28L. Should be capable of better than that if he can settle this time.

Form: 0

Dreamliner^h1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: C N Kellett

100/1

Sent off at 40-1 for his debut in a Musselburgh (good to soft) bumper earlier in the month. Unable to get competitive there and eventually a 59L last of nine. Headgear now fitted and can continue his education in this.

Form: 9

El Scorpio⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott

33/1

Outperformed his 66-1 SP for a long way on debut at Hereford (good) on debut in November when he was beaten less than 9L. If he can step up on that form then you couldn't rule him out of the prize money today.

Form: 7

Flash The Steel²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

13/8

Won an Irish point-to-point on his second start (yielding/soft) in October. Made a good start under rules when neck second in a C&D (soft) bumper last month. Can build on that and looks a leading player again.

Form: 4-12

Ligny²⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| BF

9/2

Beaten 9-2 favourite in debut in a Newbury bumper (good to soft) last March. Has been given time and drops slightly in trip for this second attempt. It would be a surprise if he is not capable of better this time.

Form: 0-

Rainbow Legend⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

50/1

Never really got competitive at Carlisle (soft) in November when 18-1 for his debut and beat just one home. Likely to need a lot more than that to figure today.

Form: 9

Rebound^t1²⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A J Honeyball| BF

11/2

13-8 favourite and ran as the market anticipated he would for a long way on his debut at Fontwell (good) last March, taking it up 2f out before being collared. Tongue-tie may help and he is likely to be able to improve and take a close hand again.

Form: 2-

St George's Oval²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: L Heard| T: D M Loughnane

33/1

Did not look the easiest of rides when 9L fourth of six on debut at Stratford (good) in June, failing to settle for some time. Nonetheless, he has something to build on from that run and can get more competitive here.

Form: 4

Top Decision^h⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater

33/1

Made frame in maiden Irish point-to-point last May and changed hands for £42,000 soon after. 33-1 and always towards the rear on rules debut in a Cheltenham bumper in October. Drop in trip not ideal and probably best watched.

Form: 30

Laughing Luis⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson

7/1

Began over a similar trip at Towcester (good) in November, when 100-30 but was never able to get in a blow with the leaders. Beaten less than 9L there and surely capable of better. Market check suggested.

Form: 7

Melekhov

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

4/1

€28,000 foal. Half-brother to point/2m5f hurdle winner Indian Hawk. Dam well beaten bumpers/maiden hurdles, half-sister to 1m2f Flat/useful 2m-3m hurdle/chase winner Banasan. Top stable is 35% in bumpers this season and good debut anticipated.

Form:

Righteous River¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner

33/1

Posted a couple of reasonable efforts on her first two runs at Warwick (good to soft) and Towcester (good), though well held on heavy at Exeter earlier in the month and others readily preferred.

Form: 565

Non-Runners

Nellemani

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: J Groucott J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Flash The Steel (13/8), Melekhov (4/1), Ligny (9/2), Rebound (11/2), Laughing Luis (7/1), Righteous River (33/1), Delirious Love (33/1), St George's Oval (33/1), El Scorpio (33/1), Top Decision (33/1), Nellemani (33/1), Rainbow Legend (50/1), Dreamliner (100/1)

Not a very strong race of its type at first glance and it could be a good opportunity for newcomer MELEKHOV to make a winning start to his rules career. Philip Hobbs is enjoying a good season in this discipline and the appearance of the champion up top is very much a positive. Nicky Henderson's runners are always to be respected and both Ligny and Laughing Luis should improve for their debut runs, while Flash The Steel and Rebound are others likely to be in the mix.