AT THE RACES Champion jockey can Coast to victory at Ludlow

GAELIK Coast should take advantage of a fine opportunity in the James Henman Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Ludlow tomorrow.

Donald McCain’s promising seven-year-old races off an unchanged mark of 137 after returning to winning form with a comfortable success at Musselburgh last month.

He was good value for his near five-length victory, from a Paul

Nicholls-trained favourite, and it is a bonus that he can slip into this 0-135 event back in handicap company.

McCain has kept the former winning point-to-pointer and hurdler to similarly sharp tracks, for the most part, and appears to have tried to pick out decent ground, too, whenever possible through this wet winter.

Gaelik Coast has rewarded him with two victories and a runner-up spot from his four attempts, and has obvious prospects of making it three.

He must concede weight all round but only up to a maximum of 9lb in this five-runner field.

It is instructive that McCain sends him to Shropshire – his only runner and champion jockey Brian Hughes’ only mount on the card.

In the feature Forbra Gold Cup Handicap Chase, Wandrin Star catches the eye.

Kim Bailey’s useful chaser was in deep at Wetherby last time, eventually trailing home a wellbeaten sixth in a very competitive Grade Three handicap on Boxing Day.

That was no disgrace, and these are calmer waters.

Wandrin Star previously appeared to show the benefit of a summer wind operation when beaten only a head on his return in an Ascot handicap.