UK Horse Racing Tips: Ludlow

EFFERNOCK FIZZ has done very well on her sojourns across the Irish Sea this season and this looks like a gilt-edged opportunity for the eight-year-old to regain the winning thread, especially as she went close at Bangor recently. Walk In Clover is still putting it together over fences but she would hold strong claims if bouncing back to the form of November's second at Southwell. Improvement is needed from Cotton End if she is to figure.
Prediction : 1st Effernock Fizz 2nd Walk In Clover 3rd Cotton End

WELSH CHARGER was slightly unlucky when short of room late on as he made a highly promising hurdling debut at Huntingdon last month. The five-year-old is taken go one better with normal improvement expected, and it may be that Greatness Awaits, a decent operator on the Flat for Mick Channon, gives him the most to think about. Completing the shortlist are the likes of Fuji Rocks, Opticality and Royal Max.
Prediction : 1st Welsh Charger 2nd Greatness Awaits 3rd Royal Max

Ludlow can really suit front-runners and that bodes well for the Donald McCain-trained PATIENT DREAM, who wasn't for catching at Market Rasen last time out. A 6lb rise for that looks manageable and he can see off handicap debutant Arctic Lodge, as well as John Betjeman, who was back to form with a strong placed effort at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Balgowan has the form to get involved as well.
Prediction : 1st Patient Dream 2nd John Betjeman 3rd Balgowan

VOLCANO was far from disgraced when fifth from 10lb out of the handicap in the Classic Chase at Warwick and this looks a good opportunity for the grey to gain a first success of the season. Seigneur Des As is turned out quickly after being narrowly denied at Lingfield last week and is feared most, although Head To The Stars has three C&D successes to his name and shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Volcano 2nd Seigneur Des As 3rd Head To The Stars

CHILINLIKEAVILLAIN almost caused a shock when running a well-fancied stablemate close over an extended 2m4f at Southwell last month and, if seeing out this extra yardage, the Dan Skelton inmate looks the one to beat. Oak Creek made an encouraging Rules debut when finishing fourth over hurdles at Doncaster and he isn't taken lightly, with improvement on the cards. Great Snow has something to find, but she makes most appeal of the remaining opposition.
Prediction : 1st Chilinlikeavillain 2nd Oak Creek 3rd Great Snow

Grizzly James drops in class and merits consideration, along with Prime Pretender, who remains on a fair mark. However, a chance is taken on PAWPAW. David Bridgwater's charge finished a creditable third in a first-time hood (retained) at Huntingdon 13 days ago, and he looks set to mount a serious challenge from 3lb lower. Gabriel's Getaway will be a threat to all if turned out quickly, having struck at Lingfield on Monday.
Prediction : 1st Pawpaw 2nd Grizzly James 3rd Prime Pretender

RISKINTHEGROUND faced a stiff assignment in a hot maiden hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but he enters handicaps from a potentially workable figure and the unexposed son of Presenting could take a significant step forward. Stonific has dropped to 9lb below his last winning mark and if first-time blinkers can help eke out more, he could play a leading role. Others to note include Quoi De Neuf and The Wrekin.
Prediction : 1st Riskintheground 2nd Stonific 3rd Quoi De Neuf