3:35 Ludlow Tips

Almazhar Garde ran two solid Worcester wins recently, showing he’s returned to form and can handle stamina tests well. He has won at this sort of trip (near 3m) on good ground, so the “Good to Firm” conditions shouldn’t hold him back. Trainer C.E. Longsdon gets the best from his seasoned chasers, especially on courses with honest fences like Ludlow. In the market, he is strongly supported (short-priced) ??' the public respect him. Combine his current form, course/trip suitability, and trainer backing ??' Almazhar Garde is quite plausibly the one to beat.

Three-Mile Handicap Chase offers over £5,000 to the winner and presents a strong opportunity for Hold Your Fort, trained by Deborah Hamer, to return to winning form. He's been consistent throughout the summer, mainly at Newton Abbot over 3m2f, and although he finished third of four last time when sent off favourite, he may have done too much too soon. He can be a little awkward over the early fences but made good mid-race progress into second before fading from the home turn. That effort wasn't poor, and he remains in solid form. A return to three miles, going right-handed, and encountering faster ground should suit him well. The booking of talented claimer Callum Pritchard, who takes off a valuable 5lb, is a notable plus. Given the modest quality of the field, Hold Your Fort looks well placed to go very close.

The favorite Almazhar Garde is respected but a tad too short for me at the evening 2/1 quote. All the others are capable enough if in the mood, but at 8/1 YES DAY is the value call. Given a break to freshen up after two poor efforts, he had looked decent before then and has run well before in small fields.