SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
BettingExpert are looking for redemption in Wednesday’s Tipster Challenge at Ludlow, after drawing a blank last time at Catterick. Similarly, Timeform will be hoping for better after picking just one winner last week in Out Sam.
This time, SBC News, BettingExpert and Timeform will be taking on Alan Alger from Betway. Can Alan continue a resurgence for our guest tipsters and emulate the multiple winners achieved by Beanbagsports at Catterick?
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1.10
SBC News: Berland
Won on hurdle debut at Catterick in mid-December, before a 3rd place at Kempton just 2 weeks later.
BettingExpert: Berland
Won well on debut at Catterick and better than the bare form when upped in class behind Triumph hurdle candidate at Kempton.
Timeform: St Saviour
Created a good impression when winning over C&D on hurdles debut last month, running to a useful level in the process, and he should have little trouble defying a penalty. Berland looks next best, though any market support for Harry Fry’s hurdling debutant Brotherly Company would look significant.
Betway: Brotherly Company
Harry Fry’s recruit from the flat can go well here and fits the profile of recent winners of the race. This Juvenile Hurdle has not been won by a horse carrying a winner’s penalty down the years and favourites have a poor record too.
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1.40
SBC News: Divine Spear
Nicky Henderson enjoys a very good record at Ludlow and Divine Spear looks primed to further boost the figures.
BettingExpert: Divine Spear
Shaped really well when 2nd on hurdling debut at Doncaster and very hard to beat here down in class.
Timeform: Divine Spear
Looked a smart prospect when winning his bumper in May and should prove hard to beat on the back of a promising hurdling debut at Doncaster last month. Fled Or Pled and North Hill are taken to fill the frame.
Betway: Divine Spear
Nicky Henderson took this race last year and I think he can follow up in 2016 with Divine Spear, who comes back after being a beaten favourite last time out.
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2.10
SBC News: Chocca Wocca
Nico de Boinville will fancy his chances here. A good win on debut at Ludlow and 2nd in a field of 19 at Aintree.
BettingExpert: Chocca Wocca
Looked very useful in bumpers last season and sure to be well prepared for this hurdling/seasonal debut.
Timeform: Chocca Wocca
Proved useful in bumpers and is likely to be in a different league to her rivals ahead of her hurdling debut/return. Space Oddity and Boolavard King can battle for minor honours.
Betway: Chocca Wocca
Henderson can also take the second division of the Maiden Hurdle race with this 6-year-old who showed good form in bumpers last season.
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2.45
SBC News: Carningli
A multiple race winner, Carningli was poor at Chepstow last time out but should be much improved at Ludlow.
BettingExpert: Souriyan
Yard is back in the winners and looks very well treated on the pick of his form this season.
Timeform: Belmount
Blotted his copybook with a sloppy round of jumping at Newbury in December, but he holds strong claims on a couple of placed efforts off higher marks prior to that and is worth chancing to bounce back.
Betway: Uhlan Bute
This 8-year-old was probably raced far too soon after winning at Bangor in November – and subsequently flopped a few days later at Market Rasen. Fresh after a break and strongly fancied to get back to winning ways.
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3.20
SBC News: Crazy
Placed in the top 5 in each of his hurdle appearances back in 2013. Bit of a punt, but performed decently on AW this year after a long break.
BettingExpert: Crazy
Not had a run over jumps for 898 days, but had a couple of AW sharpeners and booking of Coleman catches the eye.
Timeform: Mini Muck
Got stuck in the mud at Lingfield last time and might be worth chancing having shaped with a bit of promise back over hurdles on her 2 runs prior to that. The handicapper hasn’t taken any chances with Very Extravagant’s opening mark but she still looks an interesting runner, particularly if the betting speaks in her favour.
Betway: Crazy
This is a very competitive Mares’ Hurdle and could throw up a surprise. There’s enough of a glimmer in this mares form over obstacles – albeit nearly three years ago – to fancy her for this under Aidan Coleman.
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3.55
SBC News: Zama Zama
Consistent performer who won at Ludlow as recently as November.
BettingExpert: Lemon’s Gent
Yard back to form of late and sure to be fit and readied for this belated reappearance.
Timeform: Lemon’s Gent
A wide-open handicap that may go the way of Lemon’s Gent back from an absence. Zama Zama and Guanciale are not the most straightforward, but are well enough treated to have a big say in matters.
Betway: Grimley Girl
She has been placed on her last three starts at Ludlow and after a decent break at the grand old age of 10 can land more prize money and hopefully end up on the top step of the podium.
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4.30
SBC News: Hill Fort
Wide margin of victory at Ludlow in December; much higher in the weights now but don’t rule him out.
BettingExpert: Reyno
Been waiting for better ground and conditions fine here after a 111 day break to freshen him up.
Timeform: Danceintothelight
Had things sewn up a long way out under his young rider at Catterick last time and is taken to land the spoils again. Scales and handicap debutant Un Prophete are other lively contenders.
Betway: Acapulco Bay
A tough race to call but a case can be made for Dai Burchell’s 12-year-old and Jodie Hughes is a worthy pilot in this type of race.
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Click here to see the latest leaderboard before the first race. You can follow the results of these tips throughout the Ludlow race meet, or return to SBC News tomorrow to see how our tipsters got on.
