Monday's Ludlow racing tips: Real Steel can be the real deal

Start your week brightly with a punt on the racing at Ludlow. Our selections will be listed below, with our headline tips highlighted.

13:45 Ludlow - Finest View

14:55 Ludlow - Mengli Khan

16:40 Ludlow - Beep Beep

17:15 Ludlow - Wagner

Fergal O'Brien's eight-year-old has been in superb form of late, winning three of his four starts this term, with all of those triumphs coming before the winter ground took root.

It's been 126 days since Brief Ambition was last in action, but that could favour him in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase, as he returns fresh and rested.

Full of confidence and in great form, we're backing him to win a fourth race in five starts.

After reaching the heights of 166 under Willie Mullins, Real Steel has endured a disappointing spell under Paul Nicholls, with his mark dropping down to 137.

However, the drop has allowed him to enter the £21,000 Boyne Cup - a 0-140 contest. As he looks to return to winning ways, this is a perfect opportunity for him to dominate the field.

He's struggled with breathing problems, and underwent a wind operation, but the application of cheek pieces for Monday's bout is bound to improve Real Steel's performance, and for that reason, we're backing him to shine in Ludlow.

Competitive enough despite the small field and Gran Luna is only a tentative selection in the weatherbysshop.co.uk Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

A winner at Newbury in December, Nicky Henderson's mare has since run well twice at that track and gets another chance off the same mark in this.

Hillfinch won her maiden well at Huntingdon but the second didn't do much for the form subsequently, so a bigger danger could be Litterale Ci, who was beaten a long way in a hot Uttoxeter handicap when last seen but her previous form on good ground bodes well for this.