Horse racing tips: Dave Nevison shares his best bets for Ludlow and Kempton

He was only beaten five lengths into fourth place last time at Kempton over Christmas, and the winner and second are both now running off 10lb-higher marks. They clearly had plenty in hand that day.

Prior to that he had been prolific in the late summer and early autumn, so I am assuming he has just been rested in the depths of winter and not had a serious setback. I feel he is likely to resume his progress and could end up a contender for a big summer handicap.

I was getting a little excited here last week when my selection and the well-backed Magic Dancer took up the running before the second-last at Ludlow, but his older legs just couldn’t carry him fast enough to win what was a very similar race to this. The Bees Knees is fresher and younger and might be another that has a bit too much speed for him.

While we have to wait until the penultimate race for a 4yo+ handicap, it’s a good one and looks as though it might contain several future winners.

Ahdab was beaten at 11-8 last time and could therefore be considered disappointing, but I thought he ran a cracker and should have no trouble confirming that form with third-placed Tintoretto. The winner of that race was Apex King, who was well-handicapped on old form and well-backed on the day. He was ridden to get first run on Ahdab, who was never going to peg him back.

I think it was an improved performance on his maiden win and a 2lb rise is manageable. A strong pace on his inside will suit, and James Doyle - who rode him on his debut - is a more than adequate replacement for Ryan Moore.

Although this fillies’ handicap is open to potentially improving three-year-olds, only Ghumama takes up the challenge and she did not look massively progressive last season. I feel the big improver could well be the top-weight here.

Au Clair De Lune is rated 1lb over the ceiling rating here, but could be the beneficiary of a generous drop in the ratings after her effort at Goodwood on her final start of last season. In a very competitive race that has worked out very well, she took up the running turning into the straight and was unsurprisingly done for in the last 150 yards.

She needs holding on to for a bit longer, but that definitely seems to be the strong point (of many) of excellent young rider Benoit De La Sayette who comes here fresh from victory in the Lincoln. When you have a horse set to carry 10st 1b, this apprentice must be just about the first-choice jockey around and trainer George Scott has signalled his intent.