Morning all,

One of the low-key Saturdays in the winter jumps calendar. However, Prime Venture & Another Crick made it a very profitable day.  So, I can’t really complain too much about how low-key it might have been.

Inside today’s main piece. I look back at the Sandown action and there's a selection from Ludlow.

Tolworth Hurdle Day

It was Williams Day at Sandown. Trainer’s Venetia Williams, Evan Williams, and Ian Williams all had winners on Saturday. If you add in Wincanton where Noel Williams had a winner then it was a good day for horse race trainers named Williams.

There was plenty of rain at Sandown which turned the ground to heavy all round by race three. The mud splattered ground didn’t stop Constitution Hill  from winning the day’s feature race.

Constitution Hill so impressive when winning at the venue on his hurdle debut landed the Sandown feature the Grade 1 Tolworth Novice Hurdle. A long odd on favourite. Constitution Hill travelling powerfully took it up two out. Before pinging the last and going further clear of his rivals. Jockey Nico De Boinville even had the luxury off looking at the big screen for non-existent dangers.

The winner was never out of third gear.  One of the easiest winners of the Tolworth in recent years. Who knows what the quality of opposition was like behind him? And it would be easy to get carried away by a 12-length success on bottomless ground. However, I think he’s an exciting prospect who deserves to head the Supreme Novices Hurdle ante post betting after this win.

Trainer Nicky Henderson also has Jonbon in the same race and looks to have stranglehold on the Supreme. Let’s hope both horses stay sound over the next two months.

Prime Veteran

Besides seeing Constitution Hill in action again. Most Sandown racegoers had likely come to witness the Veterans Series Final.

As I mentioned last week. The race is in the ideal time in the race calendar. I just hope some ‘clever clogs’ doesn’t try to switch it to the Cheltenham in March.

Prime Venture my tip in the race was given an ideal patient ride by jockey Adam Wedge. His success gave trainer Evan Williams a second win the race.  The winner who had placed in a Welsh Grand National, just stays and stays, and was well suited to the ground turning heavy. He doesn’t do things quickly that’s for sure. However, he made slow but relentless headway. Before finally taking it up at the last and going clear of Final Nudge and Sir Ivan.

Spare a thought for the bold jumping Valadom. He got into a good jumping rhythm out in front and by halfway was well clear of his field. He started to run on empty coming to two and a mistake there saw him finally headed coming to the last by the pursuers led by Final Nudge.

Top-weight Aso made a couple of early mistakes and could never really get competitive.

It was another big Saturday ITV winner for trainer Evan Williams who is certainly capable of preparing one for a big race.

Monday Racing

Its jump racing at Ludlow and Taunton this afternoon. Followed by a tea time all-weather card at Wolverhampton.  

Ludlow

1:15 – Demachine is a best priced 5/4 for this 3m 1 ½ f handicap chase. Twice a winner of novice handicap chases last season. He returned with a solid effort when a 31 ¼ length 5th of 21 in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury last time. Lightly raced over fences. He takes a drop-in class and less of stamina test will also suit.

Who will chase home the favourite or take advantage should he under-perform on the day.

Bobo Mac is a former C&D winner and he’s yet to finish outside the first two on his five visits to Ludlow. The last of those runner-up efforts came over C&D two starts back.. Unseated his rider at the ninth at Haydock 11-days ago. A reproduction of his 9-length 6^th of 18 in last season’s Welsh Grand National, off 9lb higher, would see him go close. His hold up tactics do mean he can leave himself relying on good fortune but he could worth chancing on a track and going that suits.

Monday Selection:

Ludlow

1:15 – Bobo Mac – 10/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John