Much-improved on the Flat since we last saw him over hurdles, Australia Day (3.55) stands out like a sore thumb on his return to jumping at Ludlow today. The one doubt is the form of his trainer, Paul Webber, who has gone a while without a winner. But Australia Day ran well on the Flat at Ascot last month, maintaining the progress that had brought him handicap wins at Windsor and Sandown, where he beat the useful Presvis. He is rated 92 on the Flat, as opposed to Summer Lodge, on 65, yet the latter has to give 10lb here. Of course, Australia Day needs to translate that improvement to his hurdling game, but two miles round the tight Ludlow track on fast ground will be right up his street.
On the same card, Past Heritage (5.00) is worth checking out at an each-way price in the two-mile handicap chase. His last run might have been a fluke, but he turned in much his best effort over fences so far to finish fifth behind Chrysander in a non-handicap at Uttoxeter and he now meets the fourth, Pagan Sword, on 23lb better terms. From the foot of the handicap here, Past Heritage should make a bold bid.
At Brighton, it is surprising to see Peopleton Brook (3.05) as much as 16-1 in places for the six furlongs handicap. True, he has done all his winning over the minimum trip, but he ran well over this distance on his first start for Brendan Powell and had no chance at the weights when a good fourth at Ascot next time. He has won off higher marks than today's and his new trainer seems to have rekindled the six-year-old's enthusiasm.
