Not a bad day on the tipping front on Saturday with Silverburn taking the Tolworth at 5/1. Horses from our list to follow occupied the front 3 places. Roman Ark is a real mud lover and he won his 2nd chase of the season at Haydock under a big weight. Scarvagh Diamond was our 3rd list winner of the day racing well clear of her opponents in the novice hurdle at Haydock.
Huka Lodge gave me a winning tip in the handicap hurdle at Haydock. You wouldn’t have fancied this one with 3 to jump, or even after the last really but he came flying home in the finish. He clearly stays longer than the mother-in-law and likes the mud. He is trained by Kate Walton, and another lady trainer had a hurdles winner on Saturday. We were on United last time at 7/1 but I didn’t tip her this time as I felt the price might by a bit short. She duly won in gutsy style at Sandown ridden by the underrated Leighton Aspell.
Needless to say there is a racing calendar on the wall of the Russellform office. January has a picture of Nicky Henderson’s mare Trompette winning at Plumpton. Trompette runs tomorrow at Ludlow in the handicap hurdle at 2.00. With all the rain we have had I have had Trompette in mind as a likely winner as she seems to revel in soft ground. Ludlow normally drains quickly though and rarely rides really soft so we will have to see. Oumeyade represents our list to follow in this race. Four times a winner in France and a half brother to the useful hurdler/chaser Ladalko, Oumeyade went on a few lists to follow I expect. His form this season has been absolutely woeful however and I couldn’t tip him. He may of course suddenly pop up at a big price as Grecian Groom did last week! Trompette gets the each way selection, particularly as N Henderson has a good record at this track.
Like Oumeyade, Harringay, who runs in the 2.30, is trained by Henrietta Knight. He won over hurdles at Ludlow last season and has done enough in his 2 runs over fences to give him a sound chance. He was a faller last time in ground that was probably softer than ideal for him.
That’s all for tonight. See you tomorrow.
ahorse 