14:45 Ayr

Monday 27 February 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Racing UK Day Pass Just 10 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 29.7s

Backinthesaddle^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: T Scudamore| T: B Arthey| OR: 101

11/4

Winner of a Down Royal hurdle on handicap debut two starts ago showing improved form to gain his first win. Followed that win with a sound third before disappointing last time out and probably deserves another chance this time around.

Form: 295/57

Valid Reason^b,t⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Steven Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 100

17/2

Formerly a useful handicap hurdler and has been rated far higher than the mark he runs off here. The losing run over obstacles is starting to stack up though and he was well beaten in first-time blinkers (retained here) last time out and has plenty of questions to answer.

Form: P548P/-0

Spring Over^t³³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: P J Brennan| T: I A Duncan| OR: 83

9/2

Has displayed modest form of late in five starts over fences but reverts to hurdles here after a break and a fall last time out. Fortunate winner of a novice hurdle over 3m here in January 2015 but struggled off higher marks in the past.

Form: 2F-22PF

Firth Of Bavard⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁷⁾| T: R Goldie| OR: 83

20/1

Very lightly raced over hurdles and shown little in novice/maiden hurdles. Makes his handicap debut here but would need to show major improvement to take a hand.

Form: P0/

Sky Full Of Stars^b1⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 82

9/4

Hurdles form has been poor (0/6) and well beaten off higher marks than this in three starts in handicaps. Has shown better form over fences, although still has to win a race in that sphere also.

Form: 6311U4

Anitopia¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: W T Kennedy| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 77

9/1

Bumper winner who has shown some reasonable form over hurdles in the past off marks much higher than this. Has run over fences the last four starts and reverts to hurdles off a basement mark.

Form: 5/50-P62

Rioja Day^b²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75

9/1

Has shown some form over hurdles at various points in his career but has still to win in this sphere (0/16). Has looked rather out of sorts of late and even with the handicapper cutting him some slack hasn't looked as though he'll break his maiden.

Form: 446U55

Non-Runners

Beaumont's Party³⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 10

T: C Grant J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

Sky Full Of Stars (9/4), Backinthesaddle (11/4), Beaumont's Party (7/2), Spring Over (9/2), Valid Reason (17/2), Rioja Day (9/1), Anitopia (9/1), Firth Of Bavard (20/1)

Not many enter this handicap hurdle with solid form and despite racing off a mark 9lb higher than he would in Ireland, BACKINTHESADDLE has the best form on offer. It’s true you have to forgive his run at Gowran Park last time but his previous Naas third would give him a good chance. Sky Full Of Stars has yet to win a race but off a lower hurdles mark, and in first-time blinkers, he’s expected to make his presence felt. Beaumont’s Party must also enter the equation although he would need to step up on his recent Sedgefield run. 1. Backinthesaddle 2. Beaumont's Party 3. Sky Full Of Stars