16:15 Ludlow

Thursday 29 February 2024

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2317:24

Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 39.05s

Arizona Cardinal^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 128| D

11/4

Freshened up and bounced back to form to record a third win from 6 completed starts over fences at Leicester (22.7f, heavy) just over 5 weeks ago. Did that readily and while his overall profile hints at consistency issues, he looks to have major claims of going in again up 5 lb.

Form: 63-1PP1

Hardy Fella³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122| CD

11/4

Progressive staying hurdler last season and surpassed that form on the second attempt over fences when scrambling home at Fontwell in November. Has failed to build on that on both subsequent starts however (well backed last time), so others make more appeal.

Form: 21-4154

Midnight Mary^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 119| D

4/1

Consistent type who seemed to excel herself when third in a 7-runner mares' listed contest at Huntingdon (2½m, soft) 5 weeks ago. Step back up in trip here no bad thing but the 4 lb rise she picked up for that effort could be a stumbling block.

Form: 22-4353

One True King^v⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115| C

3/1

Bounced back to form when runner-up over C&D (heavy) 8 days ago and remains well treated on his best form. Consistency not his forte, however.

Form: 366372

Special Acceptance^b1⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: D A Jacob| T: P R Webber| OR: 110

11/1

It's now 11 runs since his last win in 2020 but he recorded a creditable fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Plumpton (28.5f, good to soft) early last month. More needed with blinkers replacing cheekpieces for the first time.

Form: 552-224

Non-Runners

Magic Dancer⁴⁵

Weight: 10-13| Age: 12

T: Kerry Lee J: Liam Harrison

Duke Of Deception¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Toby Wynne

Forecasts

Arizona Cardinal (11/4), Hardy Fella (11/4), One True King (3/1), Midnight Mary (4/1), Duke Of Deception (5/1), Magic Dancer (10/1), Special Acceptance (11/1)

ARIZONA CARDINAL's overall profile hints at consistency issues but, given the manner of his victory at Leicester last month, Stuart Edmunds' 8-y-o is fancied to make light of a 5 lb rise and record a fourth success over the larger obstacles. Duke of Deception kept mistakes to a minimum back over fences when runner-up at Aintree on Boxing Day, so he heads up the opposition, with Midnight Mary and One True King taken to fight out minor honours.

Previous Winners

2023

Le Cameleon

Weight: 11-4 |Age: 8

J: David Noonan | T: Mrs J Williams

14/1

Prize Money

1st: £9,506.002nd: £4,374.003rd: £2,187.004th: £1,094.005th: £545.00