Ludlow Runners

      Neon Moon runs at Ludlow Today

There are two jumps meetings today and thankfully Ludlow passed it's morning inspection, racing goes ahead and we have two runners there.  Newbury is the other jumps card while there are two flat meetings at Lingfield and Kempton and in Ireland they race on the all-weather at Dundalk.  Ludlow were inspecting after an overnight frost was predicted but their temperature did not get as low as anticipated and there are no problems ahead of racing.  We had freezing temperatures at the yard yesterday evening but have woken to much warmer conditions and heavy rain is on the way!

Bras D'or and Neon Moon are our two representatives at Ludlow and with Jack Tudor banned today, Ritchie McClernon rides both.  Bras D'or runs in the opening contest on the card at 12.13pm, a novice hurdle over two miles.  He is a lovely big horse who has just had the two starts for us, finishing second in a bumper at Fontwell and then running a nice race to be fifth on hurdling debut at Cheltenham last time.  He is a long term chasing prospect but has a lovely way of going and it will be interesting to see what he can do today.  It is quite funny that the favourite for the race is the horse he finished a close second to in an Irish point to point and so they meet again!  He may prove tough to beat but he does have to concede a six pound penalty to us having already won a hurdle race.

Neon Moon runs in the 1.45pm handicap chase over 2m7f.  He is a course and distance winner and he won over a slightly shorter trip at Ascot last time.  He went up three pounds for that win and has won off of this mark of 132 in the past.  My only concern would be is they get too much more rain before his race but he will be fine as it is currently described and I don't see why he won't have a great chance in this seven runner contest.

Yesterday, we had two seconds with both Shot Boii and Royal Mer filling the runner up spots.  It was good for him to bounce back to form after disappointing at Ffos Las last time and Rian gave him a nice ride as he was racing a little lazily in the middle of the race but he kept him interested and got him running home well to be nearest at the finish.  He did find everything happening fast enough for him on this ground at the track and would have preferred is softer but it was a good run and gave all out racing club members something to cheer about.  Royal Mer was making his seasonal reappearance and he ran a lovely race to be second.  Held up off the pace he stayed on nicely and held every chance at the second last fence but couldn't quite reel in the winner.  He should improve for this run a little and there is plenty more fun to be had with him going forwards.  Harley's Pride ran a little better than on hurdling debut but needs to take another step forward again next time.

Last night, Chelsea beat Cardiff 3-1 away in the League Cup quarter final.  There are two more quarter finals this evening as Manchester City play Brentford at 7.30pm while Newcastle are at home to Fulham at 8.15pm.

Australia have reached 326-8 on the opening day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide and even though I did not stay up to watch it through the night, I am told both teams can take positives from the first day so we will see what happens on day two!

I'm so old I can remember when you could put Christmas cards on top of the TV!

Have a good day!