Wednesday 24th April

Ludlow 2.35 - a Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles with 12 runners. Chris Cool and Armchair Farmer have reasonable chances here and much Too Dear was impressive last time but a couple stand out as value, one at a shorter price that you may want to have win or each way at your discretion and another at a nice each way price.
 
FORTUNATE MAN is a 3 mile P2P winner on handicap debut and connections may have placed the horse very well here and will be disappointed if the 3m P2P doesn't stack up to a handicap level significantly higher in time. The each way yardstick at nice odds is HURRICANE HARVEY who drops in Class and off a declining mark with some Course and Distance form off a win mark of 126, that makes the mark of 122 today very appealing. (RT)
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Catterick 4.50 - Class 5 Handicap over 7 furlongs and they may swing wide in to the straight in soft conditions so negating the usual low draw bias. Obee Joe is one to TRACK but will likely need the run, Mr Strutter can never be discounted here Sunny Orange has run well fresh before and had it been last week I'd have advocated a small tip on Code Purple @ 12/1 who looks a lively danger. It is hard though to look much further for likely 1-2 than BEAUTY CHOICE a Course and Distance winner last time here and MUTANAASEQ who ran an eye catching 3rd here last time and who will definitely come on for that run and has a great chance of going at least one place better today. (North)
 
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Uttoxeter 5.00 - There is one with really stand out each way value in this weak field over 3 miles and fences and that is ECLAIR DE GUYE who is one of the few with assured stamina in the sapping ground and looks genuine each way value. (TA)
 
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Taunton 5.15 - a Mares Hurdle with 15 runners and a race where I very much want to pay the "mares season" logic that has served us so well. HazyDream and Faha Belle will be genuine dangers but I think that SPITFIRE GIRL is cracking each way value, a Course and Distance winner who looked to be running back in to form last time and just 1lb above that winning mark here with no excuses for not placing at least. With 15 runners there will be enhanced places and I am frankly torn between a pair at very nice odds over 20/1 at the time of writing. Preference would be just for BABY SHAM whose last winning mark was off 75 on good ground last April and for whom this Good ground is vital. Marginally preferred to MALINA JAMILA who had a golden little spell at this time in 2022 and whose runs have been truncated sine, a visor might just perk here up and a much better run would not be a surprise in to an enhanced place. (Spec)
 
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Uttoxter 5.35 - another 3 mile race this time over Fences with 10 runners and once again, just the one who yells "value" on closer form analysis. A Maiden after 20 plus starts but 10 times the bridesmaid finishing runner up, so definitely one that deserves a win and in a weak race where very few have proven stamina in the ground and form anywhere near as consistent, hopefully GOOD WORK can get a deserved win. The main danger would be Belargus, another frustrating type but better i think on better ground. (TA)
 
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Bellewstown 7.40 - a long distance Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles plus and a field of 12 on yielding ground and once again in a field where many may need the run there is a standout one on form for a solid each way punt, KILLINURE LASS may also just need this run but has moved to the mcNamara yard who usually have them fit to go and with wins off marks of 90 and 97 in soft and heavy conditions and a win just beyond this distance in the past at Kilbeggan, really is the only one who ticks all of the boxes. (MG)