Ludlow Placepot: Thursday November 15

Charlie Longsdon has a few good chances at Ludlow today

Timeform's Tony McFadden brings you a Placepot permutation from Ludlow on Thursday...

13:00- Tidal Way was a fair performer on the Flat and managed to get off the mark over hurdles at Bangor last month, winning by seven lengths. He sets a fair standard for the others to aim at and, with his trainer still in good form, should be difficult to keep out of the frame.

13:30- Dark Energy bounced back to form on his first start for his new yard at Market Rasen on Sunday and has a good opportunity of supplementing that win here. He doesn't have the most convincing profile, however, so we will also include Silver Coaster who seems to have gradually got the hang of things of late, finishing third over a possibly inadequate trip last time.

14:00- Satou ran creditably on his return last time, finishing second at Haydock, but he has a tendency to make mistakes at critical points of the race and, while respected, he is a favourite we will try to take on. Nudge and Nurdle is also prone to the odd mistake and was slightly below par at Fontwell last time. However, prior to that he had won at the same venue, jumping well in the main to secure success. He will be the first horse included in the 'pot'. Firebird Flyer hasn't been with Evan Williams long, but he shaped well over hurdles at Chepstow recently, travelling well for the majority of the race and keeping on in the closing stages having been headed at the last. He looks interesting back over fences and can go well here.

14:30- Topthorn improved to open his account under Rules in a C&D handicap under this rider last month. He appeared well suited to dropping back to the minimum trip on an easy track and is open to further progress. The other horse we will include is Benny's Quest. He may struggle to reverse the form with Topthorn, but he has been giving a good account of himself lately, often finishing in the places, and looks like an ideal type to put in the Placepot.

15:00- It is impossible to ignore the claims of Spirit of Shankly, who was twice a winner in bumpers and finished an encouraging third on his hurdles debut at Kempton last month. The fact he was thrown into listed company on his hurdles bow suggests that Spirit of Shankly is well regarded by connections and he should have few problems accounting for today's rivals.

15:30- Hold Court made no mistake on his hurdles debut, storming clear after the last to register a comfortable success here. That effort marked this useful bumper performer down as an exciting prospect and the step up in trip should suit ideally.

Selections:
13:00- 1
13:30- 3, 12
14:00- 3, 7
14:30- 5, 6
15:00- 10
15:30- 1
= 8 lines

Get open access to Timeform data for just 2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!