GB - Ludlow - Race 1

Thoroughbred

8 Runners

15.8f

Sweepstakes Hurdle

Turf

Soft

13.5K

VIEW

Verdict

This looks a competitive opener but there was enough encouragement to glean from TALAKAN's hurdles debut third at Ascot to think he can play a lead role with his sights lowered, and he shades preference over Kempton runner-up King Al. Wolf Rayet also has the form to play a part, whilst market confidence behind hurdles newcomer Gallivanted would also look significant for the stable who landed this race 12 months ago.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
6	Fairly useful on Flat in France, won 14f maiden on final outing for Francis-Henri Graffard. Sold for €40,000 later in November and solid start debuting in this sphere when third of 10 in juvenile hurdle at Ascot (15.7f, soft) on NH debut 18 days ago. Can build on that effort now. 1st Pick 6 Talakan (Fr) Jockey: K. Brogan Trainer: Toby Lawes J: K. Brogan T: Toby Lawes	100	-	-	-	29%
Analysis Fairly useful on Flat in France, won 14f maiden on final outing for Francis-Henri Graffard. Sold for €40,000 later in November and solid start debuting in this sphere when third of 10 in juvenile hurdle at Ascot (15.7f, soft) on NH debut 18 days ago. Can build on that effort now.
3	Fairly useful Flat winner (stays 1¼m) who built on a promising hurdling debut display when second of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Kempton (16f, good) 25 days ago, the sounder surface likely to have shown him to advantage. Encounters forecast softer ground here but he has the form to play a part. 2nd Pick 3 King Al Jockey: Tom Bellamy Trainer: Alan King J: Tom Bellamy T: Alan King	99	-	-	-	36%
Analysis Fairly useful Flat winner (stays 1¼m) who built on a promising hurdling debut display when second of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Kempton (16f, good) 25 days ago, the sounder surface likely to have shown him to advantage. Encounters forecast softer ground here but he has the form to play a part.
7	Just modest form in 3 Flat outings for Donnacha O'Brien in 2024. Changed hands for 32,000 gns after and encouragement to glean from 2 hurdle runs this winter, equipped with a tongue tie when fourth in Triumph Trial at Cheltenham (16.8f) in December. Possibilities back in calmer waters. 3rd Pick 7 Wolf Rayet (Ire) Jockey: Robert Dunne Trainer: Samuel Drinkwater J: Robert Dunne T: Samuel Drinkwater	99	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Just modest form in 3 Flat outings for Donnacha O'Brien in 2024. Changed hands for 32,000 gns after and encouragement to glean from 2 hurdle runs this winter, equipped with a tongue tie when fourth in Triumph Trial at Cheltenham (16.8f) in December. Possibilities back in calmer waters.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Synthetic Surface

A racing surface comprised of silica sand and fibers, such as recycled carpet or spandex. The mixture is then sealed with wax.

Daily Double

A wager on two consecutive races on the card where bettors have to pick both winners.

Stewards

The officials watching every race at a meet to enforce the rules.