Alan had a 22 BSP second yesterday and heads to Ludlow for Friday in search of a winning 34/1 double...
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BSP drifter at 22.0 finished runner-up yesterday
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Deutsch looking to bounce back
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Alan Dudman picks out a 34/1 Sportsbook double for Ludlow on Friday
Franco to convert two seconds
Back Franco d'Aunou @ 5.04/1 in the 15:30 at Ludlow
A tale of two market movers for yesterday's column. Jenny Ren nearly trebled in price but snatched a staying on second at a BSP of 22, while Ooh Is It was backed and went the other way, but was out of the places. It shows never be put off by a market drifter, although Jenny Ren was 7/1 at the point of tipping and was win only, she most certainly would have been an each-way pick had she been 21/1.
On with Friday and Charlie Deutsch will need to get over getting nabbed at Ffos Las yesterday by Sean Bowen and his mount Franco d'Aunou can convert a couple of seconds this term into a victory.
The 3m Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow has cut up this morning with three non-runners leaving seven, but the Venetia Williams 8yo hasn't necessarily been unlucky in those two starts this season. However, the form of his latest Ffos Las run over 2m6f looks quite interesting as he ran into the improving Trelawne for Kim Bailey. That horse won on his previous start and won a bumper by 18L and he's three from three.
The pace overall at Ffos Las last time was slow, and it was a definite case of the horse looking outpaced at the turn, and while it's a long straight at the Welsh venue, he didn't look like getting past the winner and traded at 2.466/4. Previously he had been done at 1.182/11 at Fontwell.
He looks worth a shot at 3m today, as he holds winning form at Ffos Las over 2m4f in heavy going, and Ludlow is a lot sharper. Considering he doesn't look the biggest, Ludlow should suit him, as will the ground.
The selection hasn't got an awful lot in hand from 126 and he's up slightly from his latest run, but he is double the price of Kincardine, the 2/1 favourite who starts his season for the first time. He might lack some match fitness.
Venetia is 4-10 at Ludlow this season at 40%.
Fry and Murtagh combine for bumper debutant
Back Picnic In The Park @ 7.06/1 in the 16:00 at Ludlow
I've made a point several times in the column that Harry Fry's horses can often go off far too short - but his bumper newcomer Picnic In The Park was weak in the betting this morning from 9/2 to 6/1, which is possibly down to the presence of a Nicky Henderson newcomer as the favourite.
The 6yo's dam Cherry Pie has produced three winners over jumps, and one called Padstow Harbour is trained by Fry and made her debut in this race three years ago. She was beaten out of the money but travelled very well without lasting home.
Fry is 4-22 in the last two weeks and jockey Lorcan Murtagh is able to claim in the race, and he's on the hotlist at the moment with 4-14 at 29% returning a level stakes profit in the last month of nearly +17.0.