Today's tips: Racing preview and best bets
By Rory Delargy
Horse Racing
Wed December 04, 2024 · 10h ago
Rory Delargy and David Massey return with three selections on today's card at Ludlow.
Racing Betting Tips: Wednesday December 4
1pt win Extra Cover in 12:28 Ludlow at 6/1 (General) - min 9/2
1pt win Ip Up in 2:03 Ludlow at 11/2 (General) - take no lower
1pt win Found On in 2:35 Ludlow at 25/1 (General) - take no lower
12:28 Ludlow
This is weak, with The Midwife just about setting the standard, but it’s hardly a high bar. You can make some sort of case for Kazontherazz now that Martin Keighley is back among the winners. She's capable if ready after a break, but it's the two unexposed EXTRA COVER that make the most appeal.
Extra Cover is a half-sister to the classy Grade 1 hurdler Thyme Hill, so I don’t need to tell you that this marked increase in trip from two miles to three miles should bring about a whole heap of improvement on her handicap debut today.
The excellent Alice Stevens rides, and Extra Cover looks to have been brought along with staying handicaps in mind, with one run in a bumper followed by the requisite three runs at inadequate trips, and she is starting off on a plater’s mark.
1:30 Ludlow
Jolyjump did the job well enough at Southwell a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn’t much of a race, and a 9lb rise looks a little on the steep side. He did jump well, which will stand him in good stead around here, but we prefer the claims of a couple of others.
Ostrava Du Berlais took second in a fairly incident-packed race at Warwick on her chase debut for Venetia Williams at Warwick, but the form is decent enough, with winner Paddy In The Caddy going in again since. She looked straight enough for that run, however (when are they not for that yard?) and preference is for Dromlac Jury.
Dromlac Jury might get a soft lead here, as was the case at Bangor last time out and she looked all over the winner until run down late in the day. In retrospect, the closing sectionals show she’d probably done a bit too much in front and was picked off by one given a more conservative ride.
A hurdles winner around here in March, trainer Tom Symonds continues to find winners and as long as this slightly quicker ground isn’t a bother, I think she can make all.
2:03 Ludlow
Panic Attack is going to gain a lot of the attention on her first start for Dan Skelton and she's undeniably well treated, but she’s been off for 22 months and will surely need the run, one that looks like a means to an end with chasing surely back on the cards sooner or later.
Brenda’s Asking is effectively 13lb higher than when winning two starts back and looks vulnerable after being put in her place by Asian Spice last time, and Not Now Nathaniel has been beaten twice at short odds since winning a weak affair at Bangor in June.
Tour Ovalie scraped home last time and is vulnerable even after a small rise, and Evan Williams has had just one winner from 40-odd runners in the last few weeks.
IP UP looks like she’s working her way towards something, returning to form when second over fences at Uttoxeter last time, where she stuck on well to chase home the prolific Lime Drop, and that looks a solid effort.
She is now just 2lb higher than when winning over hurdles at Newcastle in January, and her stable is in flying form, with the Jedd O’Keeffe’s form in the last few weeks reading 123211513.
2:35 Ludlow
This race is giving us a headache, because at some point Martin Keighley is going to decide to stop holding up FOUND ON in her races and fire her out from the front and when that happens, I think she’s going to take some stopping.
She’s now pulled up in four of her last six starts but the last three can be forgiven with those hold-up tactics, and her latest drop in the weights now enables her to take on 0-135 company. We’d rather know that she’s going to be ridden from the front, but 25/1 or thereabouts is a huge price based on her ability, and we’ll have to chance it.
I’ve dispatched David to Ludlow with the express purpose of pinning down the trainer and telling him what needs to be done. If you see a man in glasses gesticulating wildly at Keighley in the parade ring, you’ll know our intrepid reporter is doing the Lord’s work.
Published at 0936 GMT on 04/12/24
Join Sporting Life Plus
Combining Sporting Life’s instinctive eye for profit with Timeform’s unrivalled racing data and analysis, Sporting Life Plus is now available to all logged-in readers.
If you're yet to create an account, you can sign up for FREE and gain access not only to the Sporting Life Plus features and cards, but also exclusive content. In addition, you can use the same log-in details to access ITV7, Super6, and Sky Bet.
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
Recent success
- Pep Talking 9/4
- Rockola 11/4
- Smurfette 11/4
- Es Perfecto 100/30
- Telepathique 9/2
- Boomslang 11/4
- Sweet David 10/1
- Eyed 2/1
- Masaccio 7/4
- Coquelicot 16/1
- Martator 13/2
- Pep Talking 9/2
- Minella Drama 3/1
- Sindabella 14/1
- Gris Majeur 17/2
- Hartswood 10/1
- Northern Spirit 14/1
- Hour By Hour 7/2
- Late Arrival 15/2
- Lethal Levi 8/1
- Rock Melody 9/1
- Dion Baker 9/1
- Going Remote 18/1
- Law Of Average 9/2
- Carrytheone 9/2
- Assailant 16/5
- Get Up Mush 3/1
- Alflaila 9/4
- Olivers Travels 13/2
- Glory Call 15/2
- Forcing Bull 6/1
- Outreach 9/2
- Red Hat Eagle 4/1
- Harvanna 2/1
- Captain's Pick 13/2
- Golden Rainbow 11/2
- Porta Fortuna 5/1
- Jayarebe 10/1
- Ain't Nobody 14/1
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.