UK Horse Racing Tips: Ludlow

As Willie Mullins ramps up his efforts to attain the UK trainers' title, it's hard to look past his first ever Ludlow runner in DADDY LONG LEGS. The five-year-old was sent off favourite in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. Although he disappointed that day and subsequently in another Grade 1 at the same venue, he holds outstanding claims in these calmer waters. The main threat may be posed by Diskatek, who posted a solid second on his hurdles debut at Southwell in February, ahead of Blueberry Wine.
Prediction : 1st Daddy Long Legs 2nd Diskatek 3rd Blueberry Wine

FORTUNATE MAN displayed a willing attitude when gaining a second victory over hurdles at Southwell last month. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and a step up in distance could see him following up. Chris Cool appreciated the return to quicker ground conditions when scoring at Huntingdon earlier this month. The son of Sulamani may serve the most resistance to the selection, although an improved bid from Charles St following a break wouldn't surprise either.
Prediction : 1st Fortunate Man 2nd Chris Cool 3rd Charles St

CONCETTO proved a different proposition in first-time blinkers when landing the spoils at Huntingdon at the start of this month. The seven-year-old should take all the beating if the retained headgear has the same effect, with a 6lb rise in the ratings looking manageable. The hat-trick seeking duo of One True King and Flash Gorcombe are sure to have their supporters too, with the former feared most given his experience over C&D.
Prediction : 1st Concetto 2nd One True King 3rd Flash Gorcombe

GIULIETTA returned from a 105-day break to hit the frame in this grade at Taunton last month and she is only 1lb higher for that display. Dan Skelton's seven-year-old should have no issues with this slight drop in distance and she can get her career up and running. The main threat might be Of Course You Can, who has shown some promise in her three attempts over hurdles thus far, and she could have a say on her handicap bow. Ici La Reine completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Giulietta 2nd Of Course You Can 3rd Ici La Reine

Special Dragon put her first three poor efforts last year well behind her when returning last month after having wind surgery to hit the crossbar on her handicap debut at Market Rasen, and she isn't taken lightly off 4lb higher. However, the vote goes to I LOOK HOW I LOOK, who was touched off by half a length into second over an extended 2m3f at Hereford in January and this step up in trip could eke out the improvement needed to go one better. Valentine Getaway is another to note.
Prediction : 1st I Look How I Look 2nd Special Dragon 3rd Valentine Getaway

FAERIE CUTLASS finished 21 lengths clear of the third in this grade at Southwell when last seen in June. Kim Bailey's mare goes off a 2lb higher mark on her return and she looks the one to beat following wind surgery. Dairylane Daisy has been well-held in her three outings in novice company, but she could be seen in a different light on her handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces. Kalnoo is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Faerie Cutlass 2nd Dairylane Daisy 3rd Kalnoo

A switch to hunter chase company could be just what is needed for GO ON CHEZ to regain the winning thread, having been runner-up on each of his last four starts. Going back up in trip is another plus and he should have too much for Goose Man, who has done well since joining the Jamie Snowden stable but was comfortably beaten on his debut in this sphere last month. Kayf Hernando and Percussion are both more than capable of being in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Go On Chez 2nd Goose Man 3rd Percussion

Given wind surgery since a listless effort on debut at Doncaster in January, much better can be expected of THE HAPPY CHAPATI on this occasion, with the recent form of his stable another source of encouragement. A half-brother to The New One, the five-year-old is preferred to the similarly well-bred Country Park, whereas Celtic Sea would have strong claims if bouncing back to the form of his penultimate effort over C&D when not beaten far in second. Others to note include Big Ginge, Disco Davis and newcomer Wistmans Prince.
Prediction : 1st The Happy Chapati 2nd Country Park 3rd Celtic Sea