Timeform Radio Tip 
/ Dan Barber / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Ludlow is the setting for two of today's bets
"Exeter winner Talkonthestreet, once-raced Italian Master and tough mare Miss Kalifa are all capable of winner more races between them, but the undoubted pick on form is Grove Pride, who routed a field of Ascot novices in January and will find this a lot easier than the EBF Final at Sandown in which he failed to fire last time."
Three bets from the man in the Timerform Radio hotseat, two from Ludlow and one from Wincanton. Who's he going for and why?
There were few more likeable mares in training than the one-eyed Material World, whose finest campaign in 2006/7 included a win in a Pertempts Qualifier at Cheltenham before Christmas and a fine second in the 'Final' of that illustrious series the following March.
Material World's siblings have hitherto been disappointing, but her full brother Material Boy (16.50 Ludlow) could prove an exception to that judging by initial promise, most notably his third to subsequent winners Swing Bowler and Sonoran Sands at this track, on which form he could easily have been rated higher. Pushing that pair to around two lengths (five lengths clear of rest) was creditable in its own right, but the fact Material Boy did it despite almost certainly needing longer trips makes it all the more meritorious.
Admittedly, a longer break and better display last time (only fifth at Ffos Las) would have been desirable ahead of this handicap debut, but he's in fine hands and he just has to be chanced at the prices with the extra 5f sure to benefit him.
The second choice comes earlier on the card, in the staying novice hurdle at 15.20. Exeter winner Talkonthestreet, once-raced Italian Master and tough mare Miss Kalifa are all capable of winner more races between them, but the undoubted pick on form is Grove Pride, who routed a field of Ascot novices in January and will find this a lot easier than the EBF Final at Sandown in which he failed to fire last time. The step up in trip shouldn't be an issue, and his stable couldn't be going any better.
And a final suggestion is one for in-running players. Earth Planet deserves his Timeform squiggle, having thrown away many winning openings, but it's highly likely he'll jump and travel much better than the bunch of slowboats that make up the field for Wincanton's 16.00, and a back-to-lay looks the way to go. Despite his well-earned reputation, he's still managed to trade at [3.5] or shorter on his last six starts, including two defeats at [2.0] and another at [1.3].
RECOMMENDED BETS:
Back Grove Pride @ in the 15.20 @ Ludlow
Back Earth Planet @ in the 16.00 @ Wincanton, with view to laying off in-running at around [2.5]
Back Material Boy @ in the 16.50 @ Ludlow
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