VEGA SICILIA (2.00) can shine at Newcastle in the BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap over an extended one and a half.
Harry and Roger Charlton’s four-year-old was tried over a mile and a half for the first time at Wolverhampton in December, taking a comfortable novice stakes win, and he followed up that score with a neck defeat behind Nolton Cross at Southwell in January – the winner then bolted up up at Wolverhampton a month later.
The gelding then finished runner-up again at Lingfield at the end of January, when forced to run wide entering the straight, going down by three-quarters of a length to Halic, who also won again last Saturday.
The sole runner from the Charlton yard on the day, the selection is due a win.
HIDDEN HEROICS (3.00) looks nailed on for a hat-trick of wins over fences by taking Forbra Gold Cup (Sponsored By Flowfit) Handicap Chase at Ludlow.
Having won twice over hurdles, Dan Skelton’s six-year-old has been sensational since going chasing, romping home in small fields at Exeter and at Cheltenham in December.
This staying novice chaser will likely dictate from the front in this three-mile contest and can make a bold showing after an 83-day break.
Thursday's selections
LUDLOW
1.15 BALLABAWN
1.50 FORTUNES MELODY
2.25 LILY GLITTERS
3.00 HIDDEN HEROICS (NB)
3.35 STAREVITCH
4.10 OVERSTATE
4.45 JUST LOOSE CHANGE
NEWCASTLE
1.25 LEAP YEAR LAD
2.00 VEGA SICILIA (NAP)
2.35 THROUGH THE AGES
3.10 TITAN
3.45 DANDY DINMONT
4.20 ABNAA
4.50 PINK PARFAIT
TAUNTON
1.40 CAN'T BEAT HISTORY
2.15 MATTERHORN
2.50 LADY KK
3.25 TREVADA
4.00 CAMULUS
4.35 ANNIE K
CHELMSFORD
5.15 GOLDKIT
5.50 CHOLA EMPIRE
6.25 WOODERS DREAM
7.00 SHADES OF SUMMER
7.30 CHICHESTER
8.00 WESTERN BEAT
8.30 OUTRACE
DOUBLE: VEGA SICILIA and HIDDEN HEROICS