Our first bet on Sunday runs in the three-mile novices' handicap chase at Ludlow (14:45) as we side with the Paul Nicholls-trained Sin Bin. Sin Bin has the physique to excel over fences and he produced the best effort of his career, leaving a disappointing chasing debut well behind, when finishing a narrow runner-up at Taunton last time, possibly doing too much too soon as he was overhauled late on. Sin Bin has rather frustratingly finished second on six occasions over obstacles, and his only two successes came in bumpers, but he showed a good attitude under pressure last time, digging deep and rallying, and should be given another chance here.
Irish Buccaneer remains with potential from his current mark and can bounce back from an unfortunate incident at Kempton - he fell on the flat having clipped heels early on - to win the 21-furlong handicap hurdle at 15:15. Irish Buccaneer is a lightly-raced sort having made just the six starts over hurdles, and there was a lot to like about his belated return to action at Uttoxeter in March where he travelled well for much of the way before weakening close home, looking in need of the run. He didn't get the opportunity to prove that he is ahead of the assessor at Kempton - though it is unlikely he would have been up to beating effortless winner Cocktails at Dawn, in any case - but this looks like a good opportunity for Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old to regain the upward trend.
Both August Hill and Watt Broderick arrive at the top of their game but narrow preference goes to the progressive August Hill in the two-mile handicap hurdle at 15:45. A fairly useful sort in bumpers, August Hill's early progress over hurdles was hindered by a tendency to pull hard, but the application of a hood seems to have had a positive impact and she has won her two most recent outings in good style. August Hill wouldn't want too much rain (the greater the test of speed the better her chance) but she is learning on the job and should give an extremely good account provided conditions don't deteriorate markedly.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at Ludlow
Back Sin Bin @ 6.86/1 in the 14:45
Back Irish Buccaneer @ 3.55/2 in the 15:15
Back August Hill @ 2.915/8 in the 15:45
