15:28 Ludlow

Sunday 12 May 2024

All13:4314:1814:5315:2816:0316:3817:13

Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:29 | Winning time: 3m 39.72s

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Selected odds by:

Collingham³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

17/2

Has drawn a blank since winning the Scottish County here in February 2023 and last two efforts have been poor. Return to better ground could help and he's not dismissed from a sliding mark.

Form: 568800-

Him Malaya^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 109

10/3

Got off the mark when landing 2m Wincanton handicap in November and creditable third on two of three subsequent outings, coming from a long way back at Kempton on latest. Should go well.

Form: 3513P3-

Flight Of Freedom¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 108| D

5/1

Won a 2m mares' novice on Warwick hurdle debut in October. Back on the up returning from 5 months off when fourth at Huntingdon 17 days ago and, if sharper for that, she should make her presence felt.

Form: 65/1244-

Sergeant Wilson¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 105| D

8/1

Free-goer who posted a good second at Newbury off a 4 lb higher mark in November. Safely held next 3 starts, no better for a return to quicker ground at Taunton on latest. Has a bit to prove.

Form: P/52448-

Zucayan^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 102| CD

9/2

Won this last year and, while he's only been seen twice since, shaped as if retaining ability when fourth of 6 at Hereford on recent return. Should be spot on for this, so not dismissed.

Form: 133/174-

Cawthorne Banker^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 101| D

3/1

Fairly useful bumper performer who, back on this sort of ground, left previous hurdling efforts well behind when scoring readily in a handicap at Kempton last time. Likely type for the follow up.

Form: 7/08531-

Gerard Mentor^t,v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 99| CD

25/1

Three of his 4 career victories have come right-handed and he ran well when runner-up at Exeter/Hereford in the autumn. Lost form subsequently, showing little back from 5 months off at Taunton last time.

Form: 522690-

Saddlers Quest²¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 92| D

22/1

Arrives at the top of her game last year, completing the hat-trick at Newton Abbot, then acquitting herself well when third at Worcester (demoted from second) 7 months ago. Claims if she's ready for this return.

Form: 8/3111D-

My Mate Polly³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Angus Cheleda⁽³⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 81

100/1

No promise in bumpers. Showed more than previously in this sphere when fourth in a juvenile at Hereford last time but had the run of things and is not certain to reproduce it on handicap debut. Well out of the weights.

Form: 808764-

Non-Runners

Jazz King²²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: A Ralph J: J J Burke

Equus Millar⁴¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 11

T: S-J Davies J: James Best

Forecasts

Cawthorne Banker (3/1), Him Malaya (10/3), Zucayan (9/2), Flight Of Freedom (5/1), Sergeant Wilson (8/1), Collingham (17/2), Jazz King (10/1), Saddlers Quest (22/1), Gerard Mentor (25/1), Equus Millar (33/1), My Mate Polly (100/1)

CAWTHORNE BANKER was impressive at Kempton last time and remains with plenty of handicapping scope on bumper form, so he's capable of following up. Him Malaya and Flight of Freedom arrive in good order with few miles on the clock, so they're expected to get involved, too.