13:15 Ayr
Good To SoftVirgin Bet Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £3960.75
- 2m 3f 110y
- Class 5
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 52/3-
Last run: 409 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 105
Irish point winner; showed plenty of promise over hurdles last year but now makes his handicap debut off top weight, after 13 months off.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
7th 11 |
4th Feb 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 171y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
2021 Irish point winner but he's had just four races under rules, pulled up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft; 33-1) in December on latest; that was after a 435-day layoff and he had wind surgery soon afterwards; also now tongue tied but he needs to build on his 2022 novice placings. |
33/1 |
0 11 |
11th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 100y Class 3 |
10st 9lb |
3m point winner who showed ability in his three novice hurdles last year; this is his first run since but trainer can ready one after an absence and Brian Hughes is booked on handicap debut; interesting. |
9/1 |
3rd 7 |
2nd Oct 2022 Good 2m 4f 189y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
prominent, not fluent 1st, raced in second 3rd, ridden after last (usual 3 out), hung left omitted 2 out, weakened run-in |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 394-
Last run: 214 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 103
Maiden; much improved when fourth at Newcastle in April but that's reflected in his opening mark; Brian Hughes booked but others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
7th 9 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 110y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
towards rear |
16/1 |
3 |
4th May 2024 Good To Soft 3m 0f 41y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Yet to win in nine starts; fair third of six in a novice handicap at Carlisle on chase debut (2m5f, soft) and fair effort last time at Kelso (2m5f, soft); stamina to prove back at 3m (runner-up in a point in 2022). |
6/1 |
6th 9 |
15th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 5f 133y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Out of form over hurdles before finishing a 7.5l third to Largy Train on his switch to chasing in a handicap at Carlisle (2m5f, soft); could have his work cut out to reverse those placings but has each-way hopes. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 513-11 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 11lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
Progressive 6yo; unbeaten in both starts this autumn and looked to have a bit in hand when beating 18 rivals at Carlisle last month (defied mistake at the final flight); another 4lb rise might not halt his winning run.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st 3 |
20th Oct 2024 Good 2m 5f 28y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Has won three handicap hurdles on varied ground, two of them at this track; 3m at Hexham when switched to chasing in May/June on last two starts, staying on well for third on first occasion but there was a notable mistake in that display and he unseated next time; even with a clear round, he might now find this trip on the sharp side. |
7/1 |
3 |
1st Jun 2024 Heavy 3m 0f 41y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Won two handicap hurdles over 2m4f last October (good/soft); third to Dr Shirocco (who is now 5lb worse off) over C&D on chase debut last time (good); should improve on that; interesting. |
5/1 |
3rd 5 |
11th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 41y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
held up in rear, pushed along briefly after 14th |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-763P
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 100
Maiden; placed in Ireland but was pulled up on last month's British/handicap debut at Carlisle.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 10 |
23rd Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 0f 190y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Placed at Kilbeggan (2m, good) on last of three hurdling starts in Ireland in the summer but was pulled up on last month's stable/handicap debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) and is difficult to enthuse over after that. |
25/1 |
0 6 |
19th Oct 2023 Good To Soft 2m 1f 33y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
held up in rear, headway into midfield 3rd |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 9-435
Last run: 144 days
W: 11st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 100
Point winner; has run well enough over hurdles but will need more than his fifth at Perth, when last seen in June, to win this.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
2nd 6 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
held up in rear |
6/1 |
2nd 10 |
16th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 47y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Came good over hurdles at ninth attempt, with clearcut win at Ayr (2m, good) in March, and might have bettered that effort when third in competitive handicap over same C&D (soft) last month; likely contender. |
4/1 |
3rd 14 |
19th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 3lb |
Only 1-7 in points and now 1-9 under rules after a breakthrough win under Ben Smith over C&D last month; however, that was a Class 4 handicap and this is a whole lot tougher (up 4lb). |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 8P6P9- D
Last run: 223 days
W: 11st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 100
Four wins in France but a damp squib in five outings in Britain last season; mark has come tumbling down but need to see signs of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd 6 |
6th Jun 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Won a 2m3f chase (soft) when trained by Guillaume Macaire; unable to replicate his French form for either Rebecca Menzies or Stuart Coltherd but did win a point for the latter in April; more needed back under rules. |
9/1 |
6th 8 |
8th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Four-time winner when trained in France; unplaced all six British starts for Rebecca Menzies and failed to justify strong market support when well beaten on last month's stable debut but it will be interesting to see whether his backers wade in again. |
6/1 |
9th 9 |
15th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 190y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 414454 D
Last run: 10 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 98
Two wins at Perth this summer/autumn and has twice run well at Carlisle recently; this will be his 15th outing of the season and likely there are a few that are far less exposed than this winner of eight of 52 hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
7th 12 |
3rd Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 1f 33y Class 4 |
10st 6lb |
in rear |
20/1 |
3rd 3 |
28th Oct 2024 Good 2m 3f 110y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Nine-time hurdle winner who built up a big lead and was only headed at final flight at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) 11 days ago; 2lb lower here; no surprise if he makes another bold bid. |
8/1 |
6th 11 |
17th Oct 2024 Good To Soft 2m 1f 33y Class 4 |
10st 7lb |
led, went clear 1st, 40 lengths ahead 5th, reduced lead 2 out, headed and weakened last |
12/1 |
J: E Walsh
Abandoned
Form: -87641
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 96
Unplaced in his first ten starts but application of cheekpieces saw him justify support at Galway (2m+) six weeks ago (hard-fought but first two finished well clear); 14lb higher for return to Britain but clearly needs to be taken seriously now that he's hit form.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
10th 11 |
26th Oct 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Sole win over hurdles came a year ago here over 2m (soft); stayed 3m when second at Cork in May in testing conditions but more recent form leaves him with a fair bit to find; blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
12/1 |
10 |
30th Sep 2024 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 63y |
11st 5lb |
Sole win over hurdles came a year ago at Galway over 2m (sft); a fine second over 3m at Cork in March; below that form since but this trip suits and one to consider. |
12/1 |
7th 21 |
9th Sep 2024 Soft 2m 6f 97y |
11st 6lb
|
in touch with leaders |
Abandoned
Form: 86-243
Last run: 105 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 93
AW winner in April but beaten three times over hurdles in the summer, including in a seller; has since been sold out of Olly Murphy's for £3,000; probably best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd 3 |
2nd Aug 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Returned from absence with some very disappointing hurdle runs last season but won on Flat in April and has held his form pretty well under both codes since; not yet proven over 2m4f but ran well for a long way when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) three weeks ago and enters calculations. |
13/2 |
4th 3 |
11th Jul 2023 Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Dual AW winner on the Flat; second in a C&D selling hurdle (good to soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) on latest start; this tougher. |
8/1 |
2nd 5 |
22nd Jun 2023 Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Badly out of form over hurdles last season, after a long absence, but returned to the Flat with pretty convincing AW win in April and has made the frame on both subsequent outings; it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task now back over hurdles but there's no doubt he has the raw ability to be competitive in this grade; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 456
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 1lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 92
Placed in three of four Irish points in the spring; hasn't remotely threatened in three hurdle starts in Britain but may be a different tale on handicap debut with a tongue-strap fitted; market check essential.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
4th 8 |
26th Sep 2024 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
raced wide, in touch with leaders, dropped to rear before 4th, not fluent and pushed along 5th, rallied after 7th |
11/2 |
3rd 8 |
9th Sep 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Still a maiden but he recorded a solid third of 11 over C&D when last seen out in June; much respected after a break off a 2lb lower mark. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 6342-
Last run: 250 days
W: 10st 11lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 89
Just four career starts; beaten a long way when runner-up here in March (2m) but clearly has some ability; wind surgery since and could play a role on handicap debut over a longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 |
28th Oct 2024 Good 2m 3f 110y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Came good here (2m2f, soft) last December, his second handicap, but his subsequent record was very mixed and he's still 5lb above his winning mark; has fitness to prove after his break; others appeal more. |
20/1 |
7th 10 |
19th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 4f 100y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Inconsistent and 3lb out of the handicap today; pulled up over C&D last month after bad mistake four out; however, he won here (2m2f, soft) in December and also kept on well when third at sharp Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February; only five and open to improvement when back on song. |
25/1 |
7 |
8th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 4f 100y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Came good over hurdles here (2m2f, soft) in December, his fifth attempt, and put a lesser effort behind him when keeping-on third at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) last month; not yet fully exposed; enters calculations. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 26P5-B
Last run: 189 days
W: 10st 6lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 83
Maiden; only beaten three lengths when fifth at Kelso in April but was brought down there the following month and absent since; wind surgery in September and remains relatively unexposed; one of two for yard.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 7 |
18th Dec 2023 Soft 2m 3f 171y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Nine-race maiden who has not progressed and was pulled up at Kelso (2m5f, soft) last month on her first run after wind surgery; others are more convincing. |
16/1 |
0 9 |
29th Nov 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 189y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Yet to win but not fully exposed and has shown ability; last seen when brought down in May and has since had a wind op, but she needs to improve if she's to land this. |
14/1 |
10 |
16th May 2023 Good 2m 4f 62y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
0-6 over hurdles; only beaten about 3l when fifth of nine at Kelso (2m2f, good) last month and was unlucky to be brought down there on Wednesday but others have more pressing claims. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -53443
Last run: 20 days
W: 10st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 83
Maiden after 17 outings; was running consistently in the summer and maintained that trend when beaten little more than a length when third behind Zwicky at Carlisle last month; chances of the elusive win on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 |
6th Oct 2024 Good To Soft 1m 7f 168y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
0-23 over hurdles but went very close on stable debut here (2m4f, soft) in July and also ran well when third (albeit well held) at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; drops back in trip with cheekpieces refitted here; no surprise if he comes good for Olly Murphy soon. |
6/1 |
3rd 6 |
30th Aug 2024 Good 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
0-22 over hurdles but very nearly made a winning stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago and will be fine on the forecast faster ground here; one to consider. |
4/1 |
2nd 13 |
17th Jul 2024 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
0-23 but surely has a race in him, and did record a respectable C&D third (soft) last November; wind surgery since claimed for £6,000 from David Thompson and starts life for Olly Murphy back on a career-low mark. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 744
Last run: 168 days
W: 10st 3lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 80
Runner-up in two Irish points a year ago; disappointing in three hurdle attempts (for Neil Mulholland) in May and sold for £6,000; again finished second in an Irish point on recent stable debut and a few alarm bells will be ringing if she meets with support on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
7th 10 |
20th Jul 2024 Good 3m 1f 107y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Runner-up on all three starts pointing in Ireland; best hurdles run when third at Ayr in January (2m4f, heavy) but modest run in a Kilbeggan mares' maiden last time (2m3f, good to yielding; rider said hung left throughout); a possible on chase debut. |
6/1 |
8th 6 |
12th Jul 2024 Good 2m 3f 60y |
10st 13lb |
Formerly with Neil Mulholland and okay efforts for current yard in Ayr handicaps last winter; good bit to find back in maiden company. |
25/1 |
4th 14 |
2nd Jan 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 100y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Formerly with Neil Mulholland; finished around 15l behind Beat The Retreat when third of 14 on stable/handicap debut here (2m2f, soft) 13 days ago; improvement needed, but the step back up in trip should suit and she is now 7lb better off; shortlisted. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /578P-
Last run: 472 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 69
Chase winner but unplaced all eight hurdle starts; absent since July 2022 (was with Sue Smith) and 10lb out of the weights on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw |
Date /
Going /
Distance / Class |
Time +
Course Horse +
Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 13 |
28th Dec 2023 Good 3m 1f 54y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Won over C&D on New Year's Day in 2022 but it's been a long time since he's shown any worthwhile form. |
100/1 |
11th 12 |
18th Dec 2023 Soft 2m 7f 138y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Won at Catterick (3m1f, soft) for Sue Smith last January but he was out of sorts in final five runs for that yard and was pulled up at Kelso on his comeback last month; overall record now stands at 1-20 and he has plenty to prove from out of the weights. |
40/1 |
0 14 |
29th Nov 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 189y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
3m1f soft-ground chase winner for Sue Smith; inconsistent otherwise and well beaten over hurdles in July; off since and no appeal for new yard from 3lb out of the weights. |
66/1 |
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Verdict
The 4lb rise for last month’s Carlisle win may not stop ZWICKY (nap), who looked safely on top at the finish. The other recent winner, Ivane, is next best while fellow Irish challenger Ambush Annie is another with claims. Support for Reagrove Lord would heighten interest in this handicap newcomer.[Jonathan Neesom]