Ludlow Races

Prominent - went second 4th - hung right 3 out - ridden 2 out - wandered on approach last where not fluent - edged left run-in - led final 110yds(op 22/1)

Prominent - switched left approaching last where disputing second - kept on run-in(op 8/15)

Held up in midfield - headway when jumped right and nudged along 3 out - went fourth 2 out - jumped right and 5 lengths down last - ridden and ran on well run-in - went third final strides (inquiry into running and riding of gelding - which raced just worse than mid-division throughout until being asked for a hands and heels effort in home straight - until jumping final hurdle from which point gelding finished nicely to finish third of twelve runners - beaten 2 1/4l; jockey explained that - as stable jockey - he was given no specific instructions but as gelding was very keen and did not finish his race off on hurdles debut - he planned to switch gelding off by getting cover in early stages and ride him to hopefully finishrace off better; he added that gelding settled better on this occasion thanks largely to a strong gallop - although he still raced keenly in early stages - a fact he reported at scales; he said he felt gelding's jumping improved once he found a rhythm and eventually settled after some untidy early jumps - before going on to say that down the side of course approaching home turn - he had been unable to improve his position due to finding himself behind rivals - all of which were not taking him forward into the race and thus prevented him from keeping in touch with leaders; this resulted in him being further back than ideal when looking to mount his challenge off home bend; however once clear in home straight gelding was slightly wayward and inclined to race greenly but still finished pleasingly and responded to his use of whip after jumping final hurdle - which is still approx 1 1/2f out; stewards noted explanation)(op 20/1)