White Turf has been making solid inroads for trainer Alistair Ralph through the spring since switching to handicaps. Placed efforts at Stratford and Uttoxeter in March and April were followed this month by a slender runner-up finish at Market Rasen (2m½f, good) in a Conditional Jockeys' event. The front pair stretched right away from the field and White Turf was denied only on the bob of heads. He might well have bagged that prize had he jumped the last flight a bit cleaner and his maiden status should come to an end soon.
Matt Sheppard has quickly got the best from Schnabel, with successive Fontwell wins (3m2f, good) in the last month after a stable bow over hurdles at Huntingdon in early April that was seemingly needed. Having won easily last month under Sam Twiston-Davies, he travelled like the best horse 19 days ago under the steer of Tom Bellamy and showed a really nice attitude to get the win having been asked to battle. He only had a neck to spare at the line but it was a pleasing display and a 3lb rise here looks negotiable.
He has proved expensive to follow thus far but Chasamax looks capable of winning races, especially once he learns to settle better going through them. He had near misses over C&D at Cheltenham in the autumn and finished second at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in March. His most recent effort at Warwick is overlooked, with neither good ground nor the increased trip appearing to aid his cause. Down in distance on this easier surface, and with Nico de Boinville back on board for a Nicky Henderson team having a good time of it, he may come good now.
Our Rockstar had plenty in hand when winning over C&D 15 days ago and the Gold Well mare could make this a fine day for trainer Alistair Ralph and his team back at Ludlow by winning this Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle run in memory Lorna Brooke. Our Rockstar had the field finishing at wide intervals behind her last time and she's got an excellent chance of following up now with Ben Bromley taking 7lb off her back. Victory would be a landmark for the rider - his first under rules at the 12th attempt following a near miss last week at Huntingdon.
Situated in the Shropshire countryside, Ludlow provides a picturesque escape with an equally inviting course to boot. While the venue doesn’t host any Graded contests, it is favoured by a number of high profile trainers for prep runs and summer jumping contests.
Relatively easy fences and pretty flat track mean the course is perfect for novices learning their trade. The Forbra Gold Cup is Ludlow’s seasonal highlight, won in 2020 by Henry Daly’s Head To The Stars.
