Nicholls’ inmate looks above par

Paul Nichol ls’ THREE UNDER-THRU FIVE can take advantage of an easier task than he would have faced at Cheltenham by landing Lud low’ s Shukers Introductory Hurdle.

Nicholls had also entered his charge for a Grade Two heat on the first day of the

Open meeting, but it perhaps makes sense to aim at a less competitive event at this stage with a horse who is full of promise.

The five-year-old was not a cheap purchase at 120,000 euros back in 2018 and, while he was well beaten on his initial bumper start last term, a second run proved just the ticket as he edged home in tough conditions at Chepstow in January.

He ran around a bit under pressure that day but showed the experience was not lost when making a professional start to his hurdles career with a fiveandverdict at Lingfield last month.

Three under th ru five certainly did not have to hit anywhere near top gear on that occasion, but should strip fitter for the run and go well again, even under a penalty.

OVERPRICED MIXER is another who goes to Ludlow rather than Cheltenham, and again it appears a sensible move given he had to survive a scare on his way to victory at Kempton recently.

The three-year-old was a length clear coming to the final obstacle last month, only to hang left.

Despite losing his irons, Nico De Boinville ensured his mount triumphed by half a length, but it would surely have been more were it not for that incident.

SELECTIONS LUDLOW:

12.35 Shore Shanty, 1.07 Dollar And A Dream, 1.40 THREE UNDER TH RU FIVE( NAP ), 2.15 Don Lami, 2.50 Overpriced Mixer, 3.25 Moon Of Baroda, 3.55 Doddiethegreat.

SEDGEFIELD: 11.50 Cuba Ruba, 12.20 Grand Coureur, 12.52 Plenty Of Butty, 1.22 Zamarkhan, 1.57 Monbeg Theatre, 2.32 African Dance, 3.07 Bobmahley, 3.40 Iolani.

TAUNTON: 1.00 Mizen Master, 1.30 Armed, 2.05 Tomorrow Mystery, 2.40 Pontresina, 3.15 Aggy With It, 3.45 Peterborough, 4.15 Rose To Fame. DOUBLE: Three under th ru five and Aim For The Stars.