Ludlow Preview: Laser Hawk ready to cut a dash

Laser Hawk shaped with bags of promise on his first start for trainer Evan Williams and looks decent value to turn over the favourite Southfield Vic in the 2m 5f introductory hurdle at Ludlow today (2.30).

The gelding won his last three points in Ireland in good style before joining Williams, and posted a cracking effort on hurdling debut for the Wrlsh handler when third of 14 to Parish Business at Chepstow.

The seven-year-old travelled strongly on the heels of the leaders and held every chance two from home before blundering at the last and keeping on at the one pace to be beaten just three lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Laser Hawk needing keeping onside, and the form has been franked by the winner going on to bolt up on handicap debut at Aintree.

Laser Hawk looks sure come on a ton for that experience and can make his fitness tell to get the better of Southfield Vic and enhance his yard’s excellent strike rate of 21% at the venue in the past 12 months.

Nicky Henderson is another trainer who does tremendously well at the track, and looks to hold leading claims of landing a double with Taylor and Laurium.

The Seven Barrows handler has a strike rate of just under 29% at the South Shropshire venue in the last 12 months (five winners and eight placed from 17 runners) and looks to have found a nice opening for Taylor in the 2m maiden hurdle (1.30).

The mare joined Henderson after a promising debut for Stuart Crawford and ran really well to finish third of 15 to Miss Estela in a decent bumper at Cheltenham.

The five-year-old kept on well from off the pace to be beaten 7 1/2 lengths without being unduly knocked about and should have a bright future now switched to hurdles.

Laurium makes his debut in the bumper that closes the card (4.00) and given his yard’s outanding record in such contests is likely to prove tough to beat.

The four-year-old is is certainly bred to do the job being a half-brother to seven winners and has reportedly been working well at home.