THURSDAY RACING TIPS

13:00 Ludlow

Family Pot finished a head behind Ivilnoble when third at Hereford earlier in the month, running well and in contention for possible victory before the tank hit empty late on. That race was over a furlong further than he encounters here and as a prior course and distance winner should be capable of reversing the form.

The Toojumpa is more than capable at this level so looks to be the biggest challenger, however also comes with plenty of risk attached given she has failed to complete in four of her last six runs, while Steel Wave is another with the ability to get involved if arriving here on a going day.

FAMILY POT (WIN)

14:30 Ludlow

An intriguing contest with all of the seven capable of winning, meaning that our selection Gardefort is somewhat of a tentative selection. The Venetia Williams trained thirteen-year-old hasn’t won since early 2017 and hasn’t raced in eleven months, however has run well on previous returns from similar breaks, has been dropped 4lbs for his return and is further aided by his jockeys 7lbs claim so a belated return to the winners enclosure is not out of the equation.

Bobhopeornohope won well at Market Rasen when last seen and the runner up has since franked the form so Kim Baileys’ runner warrants respect, although the stable have struggled for winners in recent weeks and a 5lbs rise will make things tougher, meaning that the biggest danger looks to be Karl Philippe who has shown plenty of promise in bumpers, over hurdles and more recently since tackling the larger obstacles. He wasn’t seen to best effect at Ascot when last seen but was reported to have bled so its easy enough to put a line through that effort and given his age and profile its highly likely he is still capable of improvement.

GARDEFORT (WIN)

written by Dean Kilbryde