First and second in Sandown's military races last term (soft, good to soft) before converting an easy task in his members race at Didmarton; all rules and point wins have been gained around more testing tracks than Ludlow, and it's five years since his one winning seasonal reappearance.
Player on the form of 2025's hunter chase wins over C&D (good to soft) or 2m1f at Stratford (good); a number of tough tasks (one a Grade 2 hurdle) have contributed to some ragged form figures since, but last time's Fakenham flop is harder to forgive; rider 0-1 under rules (0-8 points).
Landed two of British hunter chasing's three big prizes (Aintree, 2m5f and Stratford, 3m3f) during a 2024-25 season founded on consistency at a high level rather than progression; match-fitness is a given for his yard's runners and, with stamina to spare, he may not be for catching.
Underwhelming seasonal/stable debut in a Sandown handicap latest, but returns to Ludlow for the first time since 2023 with a course record of 2-4, including a C&D win on soft (RPR 135); interesting.
C&D match last May (good, RPR 128) gave him his only chase win to date; habit of jumping right too great to ignore since, including when twice second in points lately, so a return to a clockwise track is timely.
Easy winner of a well-run Uttoxeter handicap chase for Simon Edwards in September (good), and burgeoning versatility advertised by subsequent open point wins over 3m (good to soft) and 2m4f (heavy); jumping issues of summer's Irish chasing form look well behind him; player.
7l to find with Gracchus De Balme on last term's Haydock form, but was keeping him honest in a point earlier in the season before running out at the last; 2m4f hunter winner on sole previous Ludlow run, and November's Cheltenham handicap fourth (3m1f, heavy) rated a really solid return.
Owner-breeder's patience was rewarded with Leicester maiden hunter chase win last year (2m4f, heavy); never better than midfield behind Gracchus De Balme at Aintree, and a few look too good again here.
Second in each of his last four point starts, only one of them as high as open class; among the non-finishers with Blagthebookies at Cheltenham in May when last seen in this sphere; overlooked.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
