Ludlow preview: Azure Fly can swat rivals

Azure Fly has an excellent record fresh, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to make a winning return to action in the 3m 1f handicap chase on today’s card at Ludlow (15.15).

The Charlie Longsdon trained gelding has won two of his eight starts over the larger obstacles, and showed improved form in the last of those when making all an staying on strongly to score by nine lengths at Newbury off a mark of 122.

Azure Fly was then far from disgraced when runner-up at Leicester off a revised rating of 132, and is now able to race in this off 129.

That gives the seven-year-old every chance form a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form, and Azure Fly’s record in four runs after a break reads 2121.

That strongly suggests that first time up may well be the time to catch Azure Fly, and he hails from a yard which is in terrific form at present.

Longsdon has saddle four winners from his last 10 runners and, with Aidan Coleman in the saddle, Azure Fly looks capable of adding to that tally.

In the 2m 4f novices’ handicap chase (16.25), Hepijeu looks to hold major claims of providing Longson and Coleman with a double on the card.

The four-year-old has only had two starts over fences, and put in a much improved effort in the last of those when making all to score in good style at Stratford last month.

Hepijeu jumped well throughout and stayed on strongly to score by 14 lengths off a mark of 116, and it was an effort which suggested there was better to come.

A 9lb rise for that victory looks fair, and this sharp track should be ideal for Hepijeu and make him hard to peg back.