Being by St Leger winner Shantou from
the family of Denman, it was unlikely that sharp tests would suit Polly Peachum (15:15 Ludlow), but Nicky
Henderson’s mare acquitted herself remarkably well when runner-up in a 1½m
junior bumper at Newbury on her racecourse bow in March. She went one better at
Warwick next time, and made a winning debut over hurdles at Stratford in
October. That success didn’t come with alarms, as she got outpaced on that
sharp circuit, but the way she rallied after hitting odds of 55 in running was
most taking, and she overcame a couple of sloppy jumps to hint at much better
to come. She has a penalty to carry against a couple who have achieved more on
the book today in Floral Spinner and Mrs Peachey, but a step up to 21f will
bring about greater than average improvement, and she can take this in her
stride. Proven on heavy ground, any further rain is unlikely to affect her
chances, and she deserves to be a warm favourite. Backers may also want to leave
a bet up at bigger odds, as she has come off the bridle reasonably early on all
3 starts to date, and is likely to trade bigger than her pre-race price again.
That said, I expect the market to reflect those expectations close to the off,
and would recommend backing her at Betfair SP, rather than at her
current odds. Floral Spinner looks next best, as she also handles this ground,
and has shown a most likeable attitude on all starts to date. She’s much more
exposed than the selection, and is vulnerable to anything with a bit of class,
but still makes appeal for forecast betting purposes.
If Polly Peachum is well bred, then
the same can be said for Drumshambo (13:40
Ludlow) who is a Dynaformer half-brother to Irish 2000 Guineas winner Bachelor
Duke out of a mare called Gossamer, although not the same Gossamer who won the
distaff version of that event in 2002. Drumshambo
wasted little time on the Flat, but has very much found his niche as a jumper
for Venetia Williams, winning 5 of his 18 starts, including 2 out of 4 over
fences thus far. He was ultimately impressive at Hereford last time despite
dropping the bridle before the home turn, and the way he pricked his ears when
challenging between horses at the last showed that he had plenty to spare. A
rise of 5 lb will not be enough to stop him in handicapping terms, and it
merely rests with Aidan Coleman to keep this promising young chaser motivated
before producing him at the right time. His jumping wasn’t without blemish when
a good third at Newbury on his penultimate start, but he measured his obstacles
well last time, and has already proven that Ludlow’s soft birch holds no fears.
He’s open to more improvement than any of today’s rivals, and looks a
rock-solid wager.
Williams and Coleman can make it a
double courtesy of Howard’s Legacy in
the 14:45. The Alan Parker-owned gelding found conditions putting too much emphasis
on speed at Newbury (17f) last time, and he was on the back foot from flagfall
in the race won by Parsnip Pete, but a return to genuinely testing ground and
step up to 3m can see him put that disappointment behind him. A hurdles winner
on soft at Hereford last term, the rangy son of Generous impressed when beating
subsequent winner Mountainous on his chase bow at Ffos Las on going described
as heavy, and that is the performance to judge him on for the time being. He
will find it much easier getting into a rhythm against lesser animals today,
and can prove the Newbury run to be no more than an aberration.
Recommended Bets:
Back Polly Peachum in the 15:15
Ludlow @ [BSP]
Back Drumshambo in the 13:40 Ludlow @ [2.58]
Back Howard’s Legacy in the 14:45
Ludlow @ [5.5]
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