LUDLOW'S lucrative £20,000 Fobra Gold Challenge Cup has attracted some seasoned staying handicap chasers, plus one or two less well-known novices.

Keltic Heritage (2.25) definitely falls into the latter category, but that isn't to say he will not be good enough to take on and beat some theoretically far more experienced rivals.

The Luke Dace-trained nine-year-old enjoyed a good season over hurdles last year, although in view of his big, strapping frame, he always looked much more like a fledgling chaser.

And that confidence was not long in being upheld when he prevailed over the bigger obstacles at Hereford in October, impressing clock-watchers by recording a faster-than-average time.

He's had the odd mishap since, including an uncharacteristic fall when holding every chance at Southwell in November. Overall though, Keltic Heritage is an excellent jumper, handles both fast and soft ground, and to my way of thinking has bags of scope for further improvement in view of his latest superb third placing over a totally inadequate two-and-a-half-mile trip at Kempton.

There could be some value to be extracted from Solomon's Mine (3.40) provided he runs up to expectations at Southwell.

Trained on the track by resident course handler Mark Polglaise, Solomon's Mine was kept busy throughout 2002, running no less than 30 times. That might seem a touch excessive, but some horses absolutely thrive on their racing and in Solomon's Mine's case the policy was completely vindicated as he won four times and made the frame on numerous occasions.

One of his money-spinning victories was achieved on the adjoining Fibresand over a mile-and-half, making every single yard of the running to account for quite a strong field on October 17.

This afternoon Solomon's Mine steps up to a distance of two miles, however it's far from uncharted territory for the selection, who proved his stamina over the trip when finishing third in a similar length contest at Doncaster's November Handicap fixture.

After being given a short winter break, Polglaise's four-year-old has been out twice since the turn of the year, finishing tailed off on the first occasion. Solomon's Mine was probably badly in need of the run and there was no such repeat of the debacle seven days ago when he put in a perfectly respectable performance to grab fifth spot.

He'll be even straighter now, fitness-wise, and the two mile Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap should be well within his compass in view of the fact the majority of his rivals are more-or-less totally exposed.

In the closing Bet attheraces Handicap, Mr Pertemps (5.10) has just got to be worth another chance after a dismal display last time out.

Richard Fahey's speedster had previously landed a massive course and distance gamble, unfortunately he palpably failed to reproduce that effort when comprehensively beaten in an almost identical standard race 21 days ago.

The money was also down on Mr Pertemps that day and favourite backers went home with their fingers burnt and tails between their legs. All known logic suggests the lack-lustre run was simply too bad to be true and he undoubtedly has the pace to make amends for that desperate disappointment.

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