UK Horse Racing Tips: Ludlow

MOON OF BARODA made an encouraging start to his hurdles career when second behind a 125-rated horse over C&D last time out and could go one better for Hughie Morrison. The five-year-old didn't pull up many trees on the Flat with a rating of 75, but clearly likes this sphere and handled soft ground well when making his National Hunt bow. Hijack appears likely to go off favourite after his C&D success last month but carries a 6lb penalty for that win, while South Seas could prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Moon of Baroda 2nd Hijack 3rd South Seas

ALLART fell at the first on his hurdles debut at Ascot last year, but he is likely to have been intensively schooled since and could get back on track for Nicky Henderson. The Ronnie Bartlett-owned gelding previously showed potential when third in an above-average Newbury bumper, and is clearly still held in high regard by the team at Seven Barrows. Hunting Percival was successful in a bumper on fast ground at Wincanton in October but faces a different test here, while Java Point and Eau Top are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Allart 2nd Hunting Percival 3rd Java Point

GOSHEVEN ran a solid race when fourth after a 14-month absence at Chepstow over Christmas and is fancied to have come on markedly for those exertions. This step up in distance should suit the seven-year-old, and he might prove tough to stop if running to his official rating of 127. I'm Wiser Now is often thereabouts but is becoming tough to win with, while Felony, who was second on a testing terrain at Warwick recently, is also respected.
Prediction : 1st Gosheven 2nd Im Wiser Now 3rd Felony

ALMAZHAR GARDE jumped well when getting off the mark at the second time of asking over fences at Catterick last month and the five-year-old appears capable of further progression despite a 10lb rise from the assessor. At Its Own Expense's recent third at Taunton has worked out particularly well and he has to enter the reckoning along with Night Of Sin. who can bounce back after falling on his return at Leicester.
Prediction : 1st Almazhar Garde 2nd At Its Own Expense 3rd Night Of Sin

SUBWAY SURF shaped on her most recent outing at the course as though the step up to 3m would aid her cause and an opening mark of 115 appears workable if translating her bumper form to this sphere. Who's The Boss ran a lot better when fifth at Wincanton last month and represents a stable that do well with their mares, while others to note include Legends Gold, who has the assistance of Ben Jones' 5lb claim, and Winter Getaway.
Prediction : 1st Subway Surf 2nd Whos The Boss 3rd Legends Gold

ALCALA has been off the track for 544 days but at his peak he was rated 152 over fences and the 10-year-old can make a winning return to action this afternoon. The former Cheltenham Festival winner Ballynagour should not be underestimated and he made the frame in a point-to-point last month. The shortlist is completed by Bletchley Castle, Magna Sam and Cut The Corner.
Prediction : 1st Alcala 2nd Ballynagour 3rd Bletchley Castle

LITIGATE accounted for a useful rival when making a winning debut at Fakenham in October and Paul Webber's gelding could be hard to beat today, despite having to carry a 4lb penalty for that success. Miss Farage is a newcomer to note, having cost 26,000 pounds and coming from the family of the useful performer O O Seven. Others to note are Getaway Luv, Riggs and Castle Robin.
Prediction : 1st Litigate 2nd Miss Farage 3rd Getaway Luv