14:10 Ayr
Monday 16 January 2017
All13:1013:4014:1014:4515:1515:50
Dawn Homes Zoopla People's Choice Award Handicap Hurdle (Northern Lights Stayers' Hurdle Qualifier)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  3m 70y  |  Heavy  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 50.27s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Fair sort. Respectable fourth at Carlisle last month and open to a little improvement. Shrewd yard should find a race for him this term and is likely to be in the mix today.
Raised 9lb for a good win at Uttoxeter on penultimate start and went close again off new mark at Hereford last week. May just be in handicapper's grip but shouldn't be lightly dismissed.
Popped up at 50/1 over C&D last month and generally runs well at this venue. 5lb higher today but is clearly in good heart and expected to give another good account of himself.
Usually there or thereabouts and is a consistent sort. Feeling that handicapper has him very much in his grip though and he may have to settle for a place at the very best once again.
Admirable veteran chaser who was still going well when falling 3 out in Many Cloud's Grand National and was a good 6th in the Becher Chase last time out. Still capable of raising a decent gallop, but not quite as good over timber and others are preferred on this occasion.
Plagued by training issues and only run twice in nearly five years! Surely needed the outing here last month after two month absence and may do better today, but looks a risky betting proposition.
One-time useful dual purpose performer who took advantage of lowly rating to land 3 wins from his last 7 starts. Looks to be handicapped to the hilt now though and may struggle to make an impact.
Three wins - all at Ayr, two over C&D - and has been in good form this winter. Gets plenty of weight from his rivals and Richard Johnson takes the ride so likely to be in there battling at the business end of the contest.
Forecasts
Bryden Boy (15/8), Lochnell (10/3), Sevenballs Of Fire (7/2), Portrait King (7/1), Moon Indigo (12/1), Hartforth (14/1), Bourne (20/1), See Double You (33/1)
In a very open contest narrow preference is for top weight SEVENBALLS OF FIRE who is in the right hands and for whom the 7lb allowance of his capable young rider could make all the difference. Lochnell invariably gives a good account of himself at this course and with the champion jockey to assist him today has to be one for the short list. Others not to be ruled out in what may prove to be a tight race include Bryden Boy, Hartforth and See Double You.
1. Sevenballs Of Fire
2. Lochnell
3. See Double You
Prize Money
1st: £4,029.002nd: £1,183.003rd: £591.004th: £296.00
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