14:55 Ayr

Tuesday 17 January 2017

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Racing UK In HD Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 7m 43.95s

Kilbree Chief⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122

10/3

3lb higher than when winning over track and trip last February and put in another good run here at the spring meeting. Handicapper has held sway so far this term, but there is a chink of light again now, especially with a claimer up to reduce the burden.

Form: 22212-8

Grove Silver^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 121

7/1

2m 6f Uttoxeter winner in November and connections clearly feel that he has plenty of stamina, having sent him to Kelso where he was still going well when coming down in the Scottish Borders National, and then to Market Rasen where he was right in it at the last over 3m 4f. Won a bumper on heavy and can have a say here.

Form: F5P613

Nortonthorpelegend¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 121

2/1

Lines up in great form having completed a hat-trick here last time out. Has gone up 8lb for that, meaning a total hike of 22lb for the three successes, but he showed no signs of stopping last time and can again give a very good account. Has won on soft, although is 0-1 on heavy.

Form: 662311

Mossies Well^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Ryan Nichol⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119

13/2

Loves to get his toe in and won a Hexham novices' handicap chase on heavy a couple of seasons ago. Trainer has been careful not to go to the well too often and that may pay dividends this year. Has won when fresh and not dismissed readily.

Form: 13/124-P

Bonzo Bing^p⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 105

7/1

Won a couple of hurdles in Ireland three years ago and was placed behind Nortonthorpelegend at Catterick when last seen in November. Now a stone better off with that progressive opponent, so connections entitled to fancy their chances of going close.

Form: 26P0-92

Jonny Eager¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C Whillans| OR: 104

10/1

Shown little in two starts this season, though will relish these conditions as both career wins, the most recent at Carlisle last February, have come on deep ground.

Form: 1322-66

Settledoutofcourt³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: S Mulqueen⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102

12/1

Veteran whose best days may be behind him given that he is now 13lb below his most recent, though he did give a flicker of hope with a decent effort at Wetherby in November. Acts on any ground.

Form: 672522

Non-Runners

Mango Cap¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Nortonthorpelegend (2/1), Kilbree Chief (10/3), Mossies Well (13/2), Bonzo Bing (7/1), Grove Silver (7/1), Mango Cap (8/1), Jonny Eager (10/1), Settledoutofcourt (12/1)

Kilbree Chief is slipping in the weights again and should not be far away, while Nortonthorpelegend is clearly in great heart and will take some pegging back. However, MANGO CAP is the junior runner in the line-up and looks to be the one with the scope for most improvement. With conditions to suit, David Pipe's charge can prove up to the task. 1. Mango Cap 2. Nortonthorpelegend 3. Kilbree Chief