Azure Fly and Airpour Desbois a pair of aces among Ludlow and Towcester tips
Published:
David Metcalf | October 5, 2016
Azure Fly to swat Ludlow rivals
Azure Fly can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land back-to-back runnings of the 3m 1f handicap chase on today’s card at Ludlow (15:10).
The Charlie Longsdon trained eight-year-old was last successful in this race 12 months ago when only having to be driven out to readily beat Dreamsoftheatre by 1 3/4 lengths off a mark of 129.
Azure Fly got put up to 136 for that victory and failed to make an impact in his next five starts.
However, the gelding did post two solid efforts to make the frame at Wincanton and Ffos Las earlier in the summer and now returns to action off a reduced rating of just 121.
That gives Azure Fly outstanding claims at the weights on the pick of his form and the son of Blueprint has a tremendous record fresh with his recent form figures after a break reading 1211.
Another plus is that the stable is in good form and, with champion jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle, everything looks in place for a huge run.
I’dliketheoption ticks all the right boxes
I’dliketheoption shaped really well when runner-up on chasing debut, so can go one better to land the 2m 4f novices’ handicap chase (16:10).
The Jonjo O’Neill trained five-year-old made a couple of costly errors before throwing down a strong challenge after the last and going down by just 1/2 a length to Master Dee at Newton Abbot.
It was a performance which suggested there was better to come and I’dliketheoption now meets the winner on 3lb better terms.
Given that rival went into the contest with the advantage of race fitness, it should be more than enough to see the selection turn the tables.
I’dliketheoption also looks nicely treated off a mark of 122, just 2lb than when last successful over hurdles, and is the youngest runner in the line-up and open to plenty more progress.
Ludlow best bets for October 5th
14.10: Fool To Cry
14.40: Templehills
15.10: Azure Fly (NAP)
15.40: Morning Herald
16.10: I’dliketheoption (NB)
16.40: Tempuran
17.10: Sports Day
Airpour Desbois weighted to strike at Towcester
Trainer Charlie Mann has his team in good form and Airpour Desbois looks decent value to provide him with another winner in the 2m 5f novices’ handicap hurdle on today’s card at Towcester (15:20).
The six-year-old is yet to get his head in front in six starts over the obstacles but has shaped with promise on more than one occasion without being unduly knocked about.
They include when third to Hunt Ball at Worcester where Airpour Desbois made a couple of costly errors before weakening late on to be beaten 16 3/4 lengths.
The winner was rated 135 going into the contest and the runner-up Mont Choisy has scored since to be rated 130.
That gives the form a strong look in the context of this class 4 contest and suggests Airpour Desbois is potentially well-treated off his current mark of 99.
Another plus is that the gelding has the services of promising young jockey Tommy Dowling who has ridden four winners from his last 16 rides and takes off another 7lb with his claim.
Chic Theatre to turn on the style
Chic Theatre has some strong form to his name, so looks the answer to the 2m handicap hurdle (15:50) now eased in grade.
This gelding came good at the third time of asking over hurdles when showing a tremendous attitude and beat The Unit by a short-head in a 15-runner contest at Doncaster.
Chic Theatre made a costly blunder at the last but would not be denied and kept on gamely to fend off the persistent challenge of the runner-up.
The fourth home Peter The Mayo Man has scored twice since to be rated 125, and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth has also gone on to taste success.
That gives the form a rock solid look and Chic Theatre was far from disgraced next time up when ninth of 18 to Barney Dwan in the valuable Grade 3 EBF Final at Sandown.
David Pipe’s charge now returns to action in a far less competitive class 4 contest off what looks a lenient mark of 120, and it looks a great opportunity for Chic Theatre to get back on the scoresheet.
Towcester tips for October 5th
14.20: Innocent Girl
14.50: Prettylittlething
15.20: Airpour Desbois (NAP)
15.50: Chic Theatre (NB)
16.20: Saint Charles
16.50: Schap
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