This analysis covers all Ludlow races in chronological order, drawing on the provided sources.

12.20 Bright Maize ‘Introductory’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2m5f)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Tiptoptim	Highest Topspeed (128) and RPR Master (135).
Freshers Week	Second Highest RPR Master (121) and Topspeed (100).

Recent Form and Comments

Tiptoptim (5yo, J Snowden, 4/6)
Tiptoptim is a point/bumper winner who finished a clear second on his hurdling debut last month at Uttoxeter (2m, good) to a subsequent Cheltenham winner. The form of that race has been “well advertised by the third and fourth since”. He ought to be suited by today’s step up in trip.

Freshers Week (4yo, C Longsdon, 7/2)
This runner won a small-field Irish point in April before causing a minor surprise by winning a four-runner Market Rasen novice (2m4f, good) on his recent rules debut. He seemed to benefit from a good tactical ride in that muddling race but must now carry a penalty.

Spotlight Verdict

The safest play is TIPTOPTIM who has a very good chance to go one better over today’s longer trip, with the form of last month’s Uttoxeter second having worked out very well in the meantime. Freshers Week won his hurdle debut but that form may not be reliable. Hopeless Dancer could be the one for the forecast.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The statistics for this race type in recent years show wins across various ages: 5yo (7 wins, 5 places in 29 runs), 4yo (1 win, 2 places in 15 runs), and 6yo (2 wins, 2 places in 12 runs).
• Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites in this race type suggests a good strike rate, with 6 wins from the last 10 instances listed.
• Trainer Records: Jamie Snowden has a 1-0-1 record in these specific race conditions.

Assessment of the Top Two

Tiptoptim

• Strengths: Form has been highly advertised by subsequent winners. Ought to be suited by the step up to 2m5f. Sets the standard.
• Weaknesses: None explicitly stated regarding ability, although he is penalised for a debut win.
• Suitability: Obvious appeal, highly suited by the longer distance.

Freshers Week

• Strengths: Already a winner over hurdles.
• Weaknesses: Carries a penalty. His win came in a muddling four-runner race, leading to questions about the reliability of the form.

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12.55 Racing To School Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Ocean Conquest	Market Favourite (6/4). High RPR Master (110) and Topspeed (106).
Diplomatie	High RPR Master (116).

Recent Form and Comments

Ocean Conquest (4yo, N & W Twiston-Davies, 6/4)
He delivered on promise shown in juvenile hurdles last season. He battled on well to win a 2m novice hurdle here a fortnight ago (good; also suited by soft).

Diplomatie (7yo, H Derham, 4/1)
Diplomatie returned from her latest spell in Jersey to take a close second over C&D (good to firm) last month. However, her subsequent run at Bangor was disappointing. Cheekpieces are tried again (worn once in France in 2022). She may not be favoured by rain today.

Spotlight Verdict

Preference is for last year’s winner MELTON MOSSY (nap), who made an encouraging seasonal reappearance last month and remains on a workable mark. Ocean Conquest can build upon last month’s 2m course win but he probably needs to. Sam’s Amour is better than he showed at Worcester last time and may provide the main threat.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 7yo (1 win, 2 places in 12 runs), 8yo (0 wins, 2 places in 7 runs), 4yo (0 wins, 0 places in 2 runs).
• Fate of Favourites: Favourites have secured 2 wins from the last 5 relevant contests listed.
• Trainer Records: Evan Williams has a 1-0-2 record in this race type.

Assessment of the Top Two

Ocean Conquest

• Strengths: Recent course winner. Still lightly raced with potential.
• Weaknesses: Needs a bigger performance now stepping into a handicap. He is not bred to benefit from the step up in trip (from 2m to 2m5f).
• Suitability: Potential remains, but the step up in class and distance are suitability concerns.

Diplomatie

• Strengths: Has course and distance form (second over C&D).
• Weaknesses: Recent form was disappointing. She may struggle if the ground is soft due to rain.

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1.30 Ace ATV Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (2m)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Mojito Des Mottes	Strong market preference (4/9) and Spotlight NAP.
Treasure Planet	Highest listed RPR Master (110).

Recent Form and Comments

Mojito Des Mottes (3yo, B Pauling, 4/9)
Mojito Des Mottes made a winning debut in France (2m1f, very soft) in March, where he drew nicely clear of the others with a recent Listed chase winner. He was acquired by J P McManus. A tongue-tie is fitted for his British debut.

Treasure Planet (3yo, P Nicholls, 2/1)
He ran to a fairly useful level when placed in two middle-distance Irish Flat maidens in the spring. He displayed clear promise before fading into fourth on his recent stable/hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good). He needs to learn to settle better.

Spotlight Verdict

Treasure Planet showed more than enough when fourth at Chepstow last month to suggest he can win a juvenile hurdle fairly soon, but Ben Pauling’s new recruit MOJITO DES MOTTES beat a rival who has quickly developed into a useful chaser when winning on his debut in France in March, and he gets the vote.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: All runners are 3yo (10 wins, 16 places in 81 runs).
• Fate of Favourites: Only 4 of the last 10 favourites listed succeeded, with one unseated rider (4/10).
• Trainer Records: None listed.

Assessment of the Top Two

Mojito Des Mottes

• Strengths: Formidable French debut win against a strong subsequent performer. High confidence from connections (J P McManus).
• Weaknesses: Absent since March. First run in Britain.
• Suitability: Commands respect on British debut and is the projected winner.

Treasure Planet

• Strengths: Solid Flat background; demonstrated clear promise on hurdle debut.
• Weaknesses: Needs to settle better. Ground slower than yielding would be a new experience for him.
• Suitability: Big player but rated second best due to need for improvement in settling and ground uncertainty.

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2.05 Richard Strachan Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3m1 1/2f)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Minniemum	Highest listed RPR Master (128).
Easy Bucks	Market Favourite (10/11). High RPR Master (122).

Recent Form and Comments

Minniemum (8yo, H Daly, 5/2)
She has a chase strike-rate of 2-4 (compared to 1-16 over hurdles). She won 3m/3m1f handicaps in the spring. She returns to a better trip after her return run over 2m3f, which she found too sharp. Her yard won this race last year.

Easy Bucks (10yo, M Bowen, 10/11)
His chase strike-rate is 7-24. He won clearly at Perth (3m, good) on his return from over a year off. He was going well and jumping soundly when he fell three out at Hexham. He departed early at Listowel.

Spotlight Verdict

Henry Daly’s MINNIEMUM is preferred as her last run over fences was over a trip well shy of her best. Easy Bucks would probably have gone very close at Hexham had he not come down, having jumped well up until that point, and he is the main threat.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 8yo (4 wins, 5 places in 22 runs) and 7yo (2 wins, 6 places in 17 runs) are notable groups.
• Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites listed shows 5 wins from 10 instances, with two falls (F).
• Trainer Records: Henry Daly holds a 1-2-6 record in this race type.

Assessment of the Top Two

Minniemum

• Strengths: Excellent chase record over fences. Highly suited by the distance, having struggled over shorter last time.
• Weaknesses: Latest performance was poor (but over an unsuitable trip).
• Suitability: Strong contender expected to thrive back at 3m+.

Easy Bucks

• Strengths: Proven strike-rate (7-24). Recent win following a long absence. Was performing well when falling recently.
• Weaknesses: Susceptibility to falling (departed early at Listowel, fell at Hexham). Is 10 years old.
• Suitability: Should be competitive if he avoids mishaps.

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2.37 Ace ATV Mares’ “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (2m5f)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Mighty Fleur	Highest listed RPR Master (112) and Topspeed (91).
Lady Kara	High RPR Master (100) and Topspeed (85).

Recent Form and Comments

Mighty Fleur (5yo, M Bowen, 5/2)
Mighty Fleur is 0-5 under rules, but she has been very competitive in all three bumpers and both hurdle races. She was beaten by less than 2l over 2m6f at Cartmel (good) recently, and the winner of that race is quite useful.

Lady Kara (4yo, Dr R Newland & J Insole, 4/1)
She has shown similar form in three bumpers and one maiden hurdle, finishing runner-up on three of those occasions (hooded the last twice).

Spotlight Verdict

If PARK PRINCESS (13/8 fav, bumper winner returning from long absence) is sufficiently straight to do herself justice, then this useful bumper performer could be too smart for these. Mighty Fleur is arguably the safest option after five pretty solid efforts in defeat. Lady Kara is third best.

Race Statistics

• Race Statistics are not available for this specific race in the provided sources.

Assessment of the Top Two

Mighty Fleur

• Strengths: Highly consistent form (never worse than competitive). Closely matched with a useful winner recently. Considered the safest option.
• Weaknesses: Still a maiden after five starts.
• Suitability: Highly reliable candidate for a place, aiming for a maiden win.

Lady Kara

• Strengths: Placed form in multiple outings over hurdles and bumpers.
• Weaknesses: Needs to find a bit more improvement to shed her maiden status. Rated third best by the Spotlight.
• Suitability: Needs to raise her game to win, but likely to feature if others falter.

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3.12 Rix Oakleys Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m)

(Note: The TimeWise Top Two from the ratings summary, L’Empire Vert and Mega Speculator, lack explicit RPR/TS ratings in the card. The assessment uses L’Empire Vert and the Spotlight NAP, Outback Frontiers, for a more insightful review.)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
L’Empire Vert	TimeWise Master Top Rated (7/2).
Mega Speculator	TimeWise Master Second Rated (7/1).

Recent Form and Comments

L’Empire Vert (5yo, S Lewis, 7/2)
An inconsistent 12-race maiden. He was well held over hurdles on his reappearance last month, but he is now 1lb lower than when runner-up over hurdles at Ffos Las in March. He remains unexposed over fences.

Outback Frontiers (9yo, J O’Shea, 11/4)
A dual hurdle winner, with his last success coming off a 10lb higher mark. He has been well held in four runs this year but showed a hint of revival when running well for a long way on his second chase start last month (over 2m7f).

Spotlight Verdict

Preference is for OUTBACK FRONTIERS. This unexposed chaser is now 10lb lower than for the second of his two hurdle wins and ran well for a long way back over fences at Stratford last month. The big drop back in trip (from extended 2m6f to 2m) looks interesting. Formel Park has claims if she takes to this new discipline.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 7yo (3 wins, 3 places in 22 runs) and 6yo (4 wins, 4 places in 17 runs) are prominent.
• Fate of Favourites: Poor strike rate for favourites (3/9 wins, with multiple non-completions).
• Trainer Records: Evan Williams 0-2-4.

Assessment of Key Runners (L’Empire Vert & Outback Frontiers)

L’Empire Vert

• Strengths: Unexposed over fences. Handicapped favourably based on past hurdles form.
• Weaknesses: Highly inconsistent maiden. Latest run was poor.
• Suitability: Interesting if he recaptures his March hurdles form and adapts to chasing.

Outback Frontiers

• Strengths: Significantly lower in the weights than his last hurdle win. Unexposed over fences. Drop in trip is viewed positively.
• Weaknesses: Zero wins in four runs this year.
• Suitability: Preferred candidate, strong claims given the advantageous mark and drop in distance.

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3.47 Ace ATV ‘Junior’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)

Horse	TimeWise Master Rating Basis
Crack Ops	Highest listed RPR Master (105) and Topspeed (105).
Bankatary	Market Favourite (9/4). High RPR Master (102) and Topspeed (102).

Recent Form and Comments

Bankatary (3yo, J Owen, 9/4)
He won at Huntingdon (good) on debut, denying Crack Ops, and looked like he had a “bit up his sleeve”. He must now carry a penalty.

Crack Ops (3yo, O Greenall & J Guerriero, 11/4)
He was beaten by under 2l by Bankatary at Huntingdon. He is 7lb better off with the winner today and is entitled to be all the wiser for that initial experience.

Spotlight Verdict

Even with the penalty there’s a good chance that BANKATARY can confirm Huntingdon places with runner-up Crack Ops. The newcomers need checking in the betting, with Captain Mainwaring and Faithful Guardian suggested as interesting types.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: All runners are 3yo (2 wins, 3 places in 18 runs).
• Fate of Favourites: The sources show 0 wins from 2 favourites listed.
• Trainer Records: None listed.

Assessment of the Top Two

Crack Ops

• Strengths: Ran extremely well on debut. Significant 7lb weight turnaround with Bankatary. Expected to improve from initial experience.
• Weaknesses: Finished second to Bankatary last time.
• Suitability: Clear claims and represents a serious threat to the favourite.

Bankatary

• Strengths: Recent winner who seemed to win with something left in hand. Confirmed debut form.
• Weaknesses: Carries a 7lb penalty.
• Suitability: Preferred candidate, expected to confirm the previous form despite the weight concession.