PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

14:30 Ludlow This looks something of a two horse race, with the once raced Slowfoot looking the likely short priced favourite. Anytime Jim Best books AP McCoy punters and bookmakers are best advised to be weary and this former decent German flat horse got his hurdling career off to a good start when beating a moderate bunch Plumpton last time. Despite running green late on the last day he looked to have plenty more to come and is almost a certainty to come on for the run, coupled with his trainers hot form he probably deserves to be favourite but trading at slightly odds on, there is room to oppose. The Queens, Jack Frost looked a nice sort when winning a bumper here and duly followed that u with two good hurdling victories. Nicky Henderson’s five year old then rather flopped in a good race at Newbury after and hasn’t been seen since. Whether or not you believe in forgiving such shocking efforts is a personal thing but his efforts before that make him the one to beat and the ground could also be used as an excuse last time. The yard has also begun to throw in winners of late and it would be most unlike the stable to send one here for the fun of it, all things considered and probably the deciding factor of being the value of the big two, he is taken to atone for that poor effort last time and regain the winning thread. Sandygate is nicely bred but appears and is bred to want a much sterner test of stamina, he wants watching closely with a view to backing in handicaps over further in time. Jack Frost (WIN)

14:30 Taunton Our second selection of the day comes from the same stable as the first and this one appears to have been found a gilt edged opportunity. A beaten favourite at Sandown the last day, Princess Ombu appeared a tad one paced having failed to pick up when going well enough in pursuit of the clear leader. David Bass takes the ride and now encountering quicker ground, she could well prove a much better proposition as plenty of her relatives preferred these conditions. Drifter is a nice sort who probably shouldn’t be trading at a high of 20/1, his front running style could make him hard to peg back on this ground and the yard took this last season. Classical Art has every chance on the book but is a rather disappointing sort and Moojaned is probably one for the future. Princess Ombu (WIN)

17:10 Wolverhampton This is quite competitive for the grade and looks like being a truly run race with plenty liking to lead. Given by me a couple of starts back, Rise To Glory rather disappointingly faded in the last half furlong despite being bang their. He remains on a winnable mark however and showed plenty enough at Chelmsford last time to suggest his turn is near, trading at double figure odds and despite having competition for the lead, he is handed the vote and is probably worth following until he goes in should he fail again today. Little Eli and Dream Silka are other front runners with sound claims at their best, both are respected but perhaps the dark horse is hold up performer Bogsnog. Drawn ideally in the one box today he should get the strong pace he requires and is likely to be flashing home at the end. Your Gifted is another whom likes to be held up, she’s held her form well over the winter and is sure to be running on late. Rise To Glory (E/W if 5/1+)