Alan Thomson’s Tips: Gina can be top girl at Ludlow

Comments and tips on this post are welcome but I won't be watching the section 24/7 and in reality I'm too busy to check them more than a few times a day. So if anyone asks a question I might not answer quickly – and I might not see it at all so bear than in mind.

This is a 2m handicap hurdle confined to lady amateurs and there are some inexperienced riders on show. Gina Andrews isn't one of them and she gets the leg up on top-weight Cloonacool.

The gelding was well held by Barman at Taunton but that run came on good to firm ground. Cloonacool will appreciate much slower conditions today and he is a good thing if able to reproduce his Sandown run on soft back in January when not beaten far by smart sorts Maestro Royal and Robinshill. The fact he runs off an 8lb lower mark here really catches the eye.

Earlier on the card Burbank has been put in short to make a winning debut over fences for Nicky Henderson.

There's no doubt he has the backform from last year to beat some modest rivals butwas tailed off behind Bags Groove on his comeback at Aintree.

The way to go could be an each-way bet on HOGAN'S HEIGHT (12.50). He jumped soundly at Towcester before giving way close home to Ben Pauling's Perfect Pirate, the pair drawing 23 lengths clear of the 138-rated Kayf Adventure. He should give us a good run for our money at decent odds.

There are some modest horses on parade at Lingfield but NURSE NIGHTINGALE (3.25) should be a winning favourite.

Michael Bell's filly has had a few chances without winning but her last run behind Persistence over course and distance has worked out well, with the third and fourth horses, Soghan and Warm Oasis, winning next time out.

AYR OF ELEGANCE (2.55) is trading at attractive odds in the 2m handicap and I'll be betting her each-way, three places on the Betfair exchange.

Philip Hide's mare has a terrific record at Lingfield recording form figures of 2-3-2-1-1-1-4. Some of these victories have come in small fields like today's where tactics can be all important.

Ayr Of Elegance was last seen finishing fifth to Sunblazer at Newmarket and I'm surprised to see sixth horse Lost The Moon (six lengths behind Ayr Of Elegance) trading at half her odds.

Favourite Noble Behest is a three-year-old on a roll and could still be ahead of the handicapper. He hasn't been on the track for 88 days and has since switched yards from Marcus Tregoning to Robert Stephens.