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LOVE TREE CAN BLOSSOM AT LUDLOW

Written by 4Racing | Jan 5, 2024 4:45:47 AM

By Molly Hunter

James Owen’s Love Tree can continue in good form in the Ludlow Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

The four-year-old has made a success of the season so far, placing second in two bumpers before making her hurdles debut over course and distance last month.

She was an impressive seven-and-a-half-length winner on that occasion and looks able to strike again on her second start over hurdles.

Malaita can make amends for a fall last time out in the Simply Delicious Cakes Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The mare was placed behind Marsh Wren and La Renommee on her first two starts of the season and both of those horses have subsequently been placed themselves in Listed company.

She is proven over this trip and round this course and has a good jockey on board in Charlie Deutsch.

The same rider can get on the board again with Burrows Park in the Racing UK Handicap Hurdle.

The veteran has been lining up off significantly lower marks this season and was second last time in a Chepstow handicap over nearly three miles.

He seems happiest in testing ground and has a good record at the track, winning and finishing a close second in two runs there.

Tide Times can strike again for Ian Williams in the Plyvine Caterers Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old won by half a length over three miles at this track last time and often seems to produce a solid effort at Ludlow.

Kim Bailey’s Magical Escape can land the Luke Watson Memorial “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.

The six-year-old took huge strides forward from his hurdles debut last time out at Chepstow, finishing second in a two-and-a-half-mile novice with the rest of the field 41 lengths or more behind him.

At Musselburgh, Chosen Templar is an interesting contender in the Tote Guarantee, Bet Smarter Maiden Hurdle.

The six-year-old was a bumper winner in Ireland before joining David Jeffreys and makes his hurdling debut having jumped fences in three pulled up point-to-point starts.

Grozni can make it a double on the day for Owen in the New Tote Multiples Only On-Course Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The gelding was previously trained in Ireland by both Charles Byrnes and Denis Hogan and finished second on his debut for Owen over three miles at Doncaster last month.

He looks like he will appreciate a return to two and a half miles as much of his best form is over that trip.

Donald McCain’s Flaubert can come out on top in the Tote.Co.UK Back To Work Monday Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The six-year-old won an Irish point to point by 18 lengths and makes his debut under rules in the contest.

At Southwell, it is Heathen who can prevail in the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap for trainer David O’Meara.

The five-year-old has been in good form of late, winning and finishing a close second over course and distance late last year.

He has gone up 2lb for the latter run but can still be competitive here.

Tom Clover’s Big Zou can get off the mark in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Restricted Maiden Stakes.

The Zoustar gelding has been placed in two runs on the all-weather, most recently finishing third when beaten just half a length in a promising effort rom which he can take a step forward.

At Wolverhampton, Min Till can hit the target again in the Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Fillies’ Handicap for David and Mick Easterby.

The bay was a winner over course and distance last time and has often fared well on the all-weather track here.

Tony Carroll’s The Craftymaster holds a significant chance in the second division of the Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap.

The chestnut is another who appreciates the course and and has been consistent here since becoming an all-weather regular when joining his current stable.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 13.02 Fieldsman, Race 2: 13.32 Jackson Street, Race 3: 14.02 Big Zou,
Race 4: 14.37 Character Testing, Race 5: 15.12 Heathen, Race 6: 15.47 It's Not Risky, Race 7:
16.22 Stallone, Race 8: 16.57 Katar, Race 9: 17.32 Turner Girl.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1: 14.10 So They Say, Race 2: 14.45 Chosen Templar, Race 3: 15.20
Grozni, Race 4: 15.55 City Derby, Race 5: 16.30 Dot Cotton, Race 6: 17.05 Friary Rock, Race
7: 17.40 Flaubert.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 14.25 LOVE TREE (NAP), Race 2: 15.00 Malaita, Race 3: 15.35 Royal Way,
Race 4: 16.10 Burrows Park, Race 5: 16.45 Tide Times, Race 6: 17.20 Magical Escape, Race 7:
17.55 Bellas Bridge.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Come To Pass, Race 2: 19.00 Min Till, Race 3: 19.30
Influence, Race 4: 20.00 Master Of Combat, Race 5: 20.30 Gerrots, Race 6: 21.00 The
Craftymaster, Race 7: 21.30 Jacquelina, Race 8: 22.00 Revolucion, Race 9: 22.30 Camacho
Star.

ALL TO COME: Love Tree (Ludlow, Race 1) and Heathen (Southwell, Race 5).

For fields, betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com