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14:15 Ludlow
Wrong Shaped Ball faced an impossible task as it turned out on debut taking on Brorson who won effortless that day and subsequently followed up in even more impressive fashion at Southwell. But Nicky Martin’s 6-y-o performed as well as could be expected to take second and will have no doubt come on bundles for that. He was outpaced by the winner but stuck on well once the penny dropped and the extra two furlongs today should be ideal for this promising gelding. Jet Plane would have won the last day at Warwick but for a fall at the last and he ranks high on the list as long as the fall has not left a mark.
WRONG SHAPED BALL (E/W)
15:15 Ludlow
Henry Daly likes nothing more than a winner at his local Ludlow and often targets a horse there, Jimmy The Digger fits that bill and he is 1-1 at the track. He scored comfortably on chasing debut but following two slightly lacklustre runs he has been given a short break and will no doubt be raring to go for Ludlow’s first meeting of the year. His last run was also perhaps over a trip that was just too far for him, although being keen early would not have helped the cause. Back to two and half mile today should very much suit and they will be expecting a big run.
JIMMY THE DIGGER (WIN)
15:45 Ludlow
Brian Eckley has had great success with breeding from his homebred mares and Jaunty Zing is the latest homebred to hit the track. She is a half-sister to four winners all sharing the Jaunty name including a bumper winner and plenty placed bumper runners. Promising conditional Kevin Brogan is an eye-catching booking and he is 1-2 for the yard. Eckley’s horses also appear to be in form after a winner and a close third last week. 1 in 3 of the yard's bumper runners in the past five years have finished in the first three and Jaunty Zing has a few notable points of interest and may well enhance that record.
JAUNTY ZING (E/W)
16:30 Wolverhampton
A seven furlong five runner fillies' handicap in which I will side with Khatwah on what will be her third start for Mick Appleby. Previously with Owen Burrows this 4-y-o is just the type that Appleby excels with, her run on Friday over six furlongs showed that she is in form. She hasn’t run over this trip since her debut where she finished fifth beaten just over two lengths, three of those who finished ahead of her that day are now rated in the 80’s. Off a mark of 65 she should be looking to collect a race of this nature. Algheed will be the main danger after her last two runs behind the promising Arriviste, but the 12lbs she has to give Khatwah could well prove crucial.
KHATWAH (WIN)
written by Michael Taylor