Ludlow: Lily Waugh can bloom in novices’ chase

Lily Waugh had some very useful form over hurdles and can come good at the third time of asking over the larger obstacles in the 2m mares’ novices’ chase at Ludlow today (3.00).

The Anthony Honeyball trained eight-year-old scored in good style on handicap debut in a 2m 1f hurdle contest at Market Rasen and went on to finish a fine third of 13 to Run Ructions run in a valuable class 1 Listed contest at Newbury off a mark of 123.

The daughter of King’s Theatre was also far from disgraced on her second start this season when fifth of 11 to Polly Peachum in a competitive contest at Wincanton, and shaped with bags of promise on chasing debut when runner-up to Pressies Girl at the same venue.

Although then not at her best last time out when a distant sixth of 10 to Ziga Boy, again at Wincanton, that race was over 3m 2f and Lily Waugh clearly didn’t stay.

The drop back in trip today looks sure to suit, and Lily Waugh will also appreciate running against her own sex.

In a race lacking any real strength in depth, this looks a lovely opening for Lily Waugh to open her chasing account.

In the 3m handicap chase earlier on the card (1.55), the well-treated Forgotten Gold can take advantage of a drop in class to land the spoils.

The Tom George trained gelding has not won since landing a novice handicap chase at Market Rasen back in April 2013, but has run a number of solid races to make the frame off higher marks in handicap company.

They include a solid 2 1/4 length runner-up to Firebird Flyer over course and distance last February off 135, and he now meets that rival on 11lb better terms.

Forgotten Gold has largely been been campaigned in class 2 company since and posted a cracking effort when a short-head runner-up to Mon Parrain in a hot contest at Cheltenham last April off 137.