16:10 Ludlow: Timeform preview and free Race Pass

Although there are just six runners for the most valuable event on Ludlow’s card, the three-mile handicap chase (16:10), it’s a tight race on Timeform’s adjusted ratings.

The one with the most progressive profile is Concetto (139p) for the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero stable which had a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last week. Having made the frame in Irish points, Concetto only made his racecourse debut in November, and while he didn’t show much in three starts over hurdles, he has quickly got the hang of chasing, winning both his starts over fences in handicap chases. He jumped boldly when making all at Huntingdon in February and followed up in authoritative fashion when stepped up to three miles at Musselburgh earlier this month. Making all again, he ran out an easy winner by seven and a half lengths from Domandlouis, earning the ‘Horse In Focus’ flag, and looks up to completing the hat-trick.

Latitude (138) also has the ‘Horse In Focus’ flag from his latest start for Mel Rowley. A winner at this course on his hurdling debut last season, he too hasn’t had much racing but has been placed in all three of his starts over fences in novices’ handicaps. He went closest at Kelso last time when going down by a neck to Ned Tanner after a ten-week break and left the impression he’d have won if making his challenge earlier, being forced to switch on the run-in and just failing.

Veteran First Figaro (136) returns to action for the first time in almost a year and has gone well fresh before, though Venetia Williams currently has the ‘Cold Trainer’ flag with just the one winner on the board so far this month. First Figaro ran well on all three of his starts last spring, however, returning successfully from a similar break to win at Doncaster before following up at Leicester and running a creditable second in a veterans’ chase at Newbury on his other start.

Jobesgreen Lad (137) is a likeable type for and was in good form before the turn of the year, winning at both Hereford and Ludlow for the second season running. He ran just respectably after ten weeks off when no match for Le Ligerien back at Hereford last month but might well have faced an impossible task against a rejuvenated rival there. Whilst twice a course winner, he’s not yet proven over this far.

The two remaining runners both have the ‘Horses For Courses’ flag. Head To The Stars (137§) isn’t one to rely on, though he gained a third course-and-distance success last season and ran up to his best here again last time when second to Seigneur des As in a steadily-run amateur event, though was flattered by his proximity to the eased-down winner.

All three of Tide Times’ (136) wins over fences have come at Ludlow (runner-up on his other visit), the latest of them in January when holding off Ree Okka by half a length despite tending to jump left, with Head To The Stars back in fourth having held every chance when all but coming down at the last. He was let down by his jumping when pulled up in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last time.

Timeform Analyst’s Verdict:

A sextet to view positively but Concetto is a staying handicapper on the up and his revised mark doesn't look enough to prevent further success. Latitude is sure to give it another good go, with the returning veteran First Figaro another to consider.

Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:

139p Concetto

138 Latitude

137 Jobesgreen Lad

137§ Head To The Stars

136 First Figaro

136 Tide Times

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