Ross Millar: views on Albert Einstein plus Monday tips at Ludlow

I always find this a strange time of the year. The quality of the jump racing action drops between Cheltenham and Aintree, while the flat action sparks to life, but for one weekend only. I don’t have the answer, but the fixture list could probably do with changing slightly. 

Perhaps the most informative race of the weekend was the 1xBet.ie Supports Irish Racing Gladness Stakes, a seven-furlong Listed contest at the Curragh. 

A seemingly last-minute change of plan saw Ryan Moore return to Ireland to ride Albert Einstein on his first start for nearly a year. Unbeaten in two starts over six furlongs as a two-year old, the son of Wootton Bassett had been subject of high praise from trainer Aidan O’Brien, and was towards the head of the Betfred 2000 Guineas betting market. 

Reportedly carrying plenty of condition ahead of this return, he failed to settle in the early part of the race and weakened earlier than might have been expected on ground that was officially soft to heavy. 

I have seen many suggest that the late change of plan to run had clearly backfired, but I take a different view. Of course, this isn’t the result connections would have wanted, but it does at least give them plenty of information from which they can make their decisions about his campaign for the season ahead. 

Regardless that he was short of peak fitness, and unsuited by the testing ground, it would seem to me that he looks unlikely to be in possession of the required stamina to win a Guineas. He looked tremendously fast last season, so surely a campaign in sprints is on the agenda. 

On Monday, the Racing TV cameras are at Ludlow for some good quality action to get the week started. I have three main selections, but will also be backing one in the Hunters' Chase. Best of luck.

Trained by Neil Mulholland, this son of Doyen showed very little promise in three novice hurdle outings. As a result, he started life off in handicaps from an opening mark of just 100. His first handicap effort was a poor performance over two miles at Wincanton, meaning he dropped a further 3lb to 97. 

Stepped up in trip next time out, he showed more promise on his penultimate start at Taunton before looking to appreciate a switch to better surface when running out a comfortable winner at Wincanton a week ago. 

He was set to run out a wide-margin winner of his sole point-point start when falling at the last, and that also came on a sound surface, so it’s apparent these conditions suit him best. 

He carries a 7lb penalty for his recent victory, meaning he runs off 104 here, but I’d be surprised if he's not raised more than that on Tuesday for his Wincanton win. I therefore consider him well-in here. 

Now an 11-year old, Annsam has never been the most consistent, but has always been at his best on relatively flat, right-handed tracks on a sound surface. 

With three of his nine career wins coming at Ludlow, it’s apparent he likes it here, and his last visit to Ludlow in early December saw him run out a convincing winner of a handicap chase off a mark of 127. 

He’s failed to complete on both starts since. He fell when travelling well at Sandown in January before unseating Sean Bowen at Kempton last week when getting hampered by a faller. 

This new rating of 132 is still well within his capability having previously been rated as high as 149, with a career-high winning mark of 142. Sean Bowen is, of course, a positive jockey booking, too. 

Owned by the Paddy Brennan Racing Club, it’s probably fair to say he’s underachieved so far this season. However, all three of his hurdle wins have been on ground with ‘good’ in the description, so it’s completely plausible that he’s been unsuited by the testing ground he’s raced on for his past few starts. 

Prior to encountering soft ground, he’d run well in defeat in a pair of Grade Two novice races at Chepstow and Cheltenham. 

I have no doubt that, on the pick of his form from last season, including a fine effort when fourth in a competitive handicap at the Grand National meeting at Aintree, that he’s a well-handicapped performer off his current rating of 122. These drying conditions should enable him to bounce back and record another success.