4.10pm Ludlow Tips & Betting Preview 05/10/2016

A competitive Class 3 Handicap Chase at Ludlow where the winner will pick u. £8,758 in prize money. Read our horse-by-horse race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Master Dee is the pick of those with chasing experience while Peter Bowen’s Play The Ace is also interesting off bottom weight. However, this may go to a newcomer over fences in PULL THE CHORD. The 6-year-old has been contesting some decent hurdle races of late for the in form Philip Hobbs and also retains the services of Richard Johnson here, a past master at bedding in a chasing debutant. He looks the one to side with in an intriguing contest.

1 Master Dee – Boasts the best form over fences and will be popular under top weight. After a decent spell over hurdles he was sent chasing by then trainer Donald McCain, going off 15/8 2nd fav and finishing a never threatening 3rd of a 5 runner affair at Sedgefield. Owners switched him to the Fergal O’Brien yard where he was stepped up in trip and improved in to a good 2nd behind Benzel who has since gone in again. Running very consistently in similar races since with figures of 212 but today’s trip may just be on the short side.

2 Pull The Chord – Chasing newcomer who has been on the improve over hurdles for the Hobbs team. Having run a creditable 3rd in a decent Class 3 event on hurdles debut he was then dropped in class and lost the novice tag next time out with a comprehensive 12 length success at Exeter. Won 2 of his next 4 races back in Class 3’s and lost nothing in defeat upped in class again since since, finishing 5th and 6th in big field handicap hurdles the last twice. Jumps well and worth a go over fences.

3 Ascotdeux Nellerie – Another chasing debutant who seems to love this place but may be stretched by the trip. Kim Bailey’s charge won his bumper here last year and followed it up at the same venue on hurdles debut.  Lightly raced a could improve but hasn’t been quite as good since and 2 miles seems to be more his distance.

4 I’dliketheoption – Beaten 1/2 length by Master Dee on their recent clash at Newton Abbot but receives a 3lb pull in the weights here. May have thrown his chance away with mistakes at the last two flights that day, however he did get back on terms with the leader who then pulled out more on the flat. Will need to step up on that effort but it was his first start over fences and every chance that he will.

5 Play The Ace – Ran in no less than 16 point to points and a bumper before making his debut chase debut where he was a convincing winner of a poor race at Sedgefield. Joined the Peter Bowen yard in June and having been stepped up to Class 4’s since has form figures of 2314U. Though this field does demand improvement it’s not ruled out and he’s interesting off rock bottom weight.

myracing Forecast Prices: 9/4 Master Dee, 5/2 I’dliketheoption, 7/2 Ascotdeux Nellerie, 5/1 Pull The Chord, 6/1 Play The Ace