15:15 Ayr

Monday 16 January 2017

All13:1013:4014:1014:4515:1515:50

racinguk.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 54.0s

Master Rajeem^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 102

5/1

Has run well on both starts for new connections this winter and won nicely over hurdles at Hexham last month. Has plenty of weight but likely to give another good account of himself if in the same form switching back to fences.

Form: 47P562

Gibbstown^p⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 96

15/2

Trainer is 2 from 6 over the last five years in forays at this track so is one to note. Those two C&D wins came with this horse who showed signs of running back into form on hos most recent outings so has be a leading player given his affinity for the track.

Form: 314-27P

Flaming Thistle^p¹⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 11-11| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: J Hodge| OR: 95

22/1

Prolific winner at Hexham but ran a shocker here last time and it would be a big leap of faith to expect him to win away from his beloved Northumberland happy hunting ground after that.

Form: 0/10121-

Spoils Of War⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 94

10/3

Looks worth a try at this longer trip having stayed on over three furlongs less here to be a close third last time out. Yard in form so definitely one for the short list.

Form: 523546-

Landmeafortune^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 90

13/2

It all went wrong at Wetherby on Boxing Day and that looks nothing more than a blip. Had previously been very consistent but is very one paced and expected to find a few too good once again.

Form: 3-22P12

The Bishop^p⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁷⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 89

12/1

Inconsistent sort who ran very poorly last time out when one of the market leaders. Doesn't look one to trust, but any market support would be a positive sign given the losses incurred recently.

Form: 4PP124-

Cleve Cottage^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 87

11/1

Coming down the weights after a series of poor runs. First-time cheekpieces had little affect last time and connections now reach for a tongue-tie in a bid to rally their fortunes. Hard to recommend.

Form: 2-1877P

Snuker^p²¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J Ewart| OR: 84

9/1

Hasn't run well on any of his three previous visits to this track which is a little disconcerting. Signs of a revival at Hexham last outing but needs to find more to be a major player here.

Form: P/651P-P

Alfred Oats^t³⁸⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R Goldie| OR: 82

6/1

Teenager who ran very well when narrowly beaten here over three furlongs less before Christmas. Hasn't looked to be crying out to go further though and it's hard to see him improving for it at this age.

Form:

Trouble In Paris^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 74

10/1

30-race one paced maiden. A most unlikley winner despite usually trying his best. Looks outclassed though.

Form: 234P45-

Non-Runners

Smuggler's Stash¹⁹

Weight: 12-4| Age: 7

T: R Dobbin J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

Spoils Of War (10/3), Master Rajeem (5/1), Alfred Oats (6/1), Landmeafortune (13/2), Smuggler's Stash (7/1), Gibbstown (15/2), Snuker (9/1), Trouble In Paris (10/1), Cleve Cottage (11/1), The Bishop (12/1), Flaming Thistle (22/1)

On a day that could prove fruitful for Irish raiders, Paul Stafford's SMUGGLER'S STASH is fancied to land his third C&D win after looking as though he was coming back to form with fair runs in his last two outings. Spoils of War could prove a danger to the selection and is well worth a try at this longer trip, while joint top weight Master Rajeem cannot be ruled out despite his welter burden. 1. Smuggler's Stash 2. Spoils Of War 3. Master Rajeem