16:45 Ayr
Monday 27 February 2017
All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15
racinguk.com/daypass Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 100y | Heavy | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 41.42s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Won twice last season over hurdles at Kelso and Ayr with both wins coming off lower marks than he runs off today. Not quite in the same form this season off higher marks with his best effort coming at Uttoxeter last time in a race that is working out well; a return to 3m would suit.
Returns to the track after a significant absence having shown some useful form in better races than this in the past. Would have won over fences on his debut (fell last) and still looks well-handicapped on his last run off 2lb lower here if fit for his reappearance.
Has some smart form to his name in the past but his stable are struggling a little for winners of late. Pulled-up over fences on his return from a long break and others are preferred in this contest.
In good form over hurdles in 2015 winning four handicaps; the last of which off 125. Higher marks since have proved hard to win from although he ran well on his return to action at Bangor in November. The trip that he runs over here looked a little sharp last time out (best over 3m) and he will need a good pace to be seen at his best.
Formerly a useful chaser when with Paul Nicholls but has regressed since and showed very little promise in his last two starts. Runs off a much lower mark here but still hard to recommend back over hurdles.
Showed little on his bumper starts but has improved steadily over hurdles (all runs at Ayr) in his last three starts. Won in good style here last time out in a maiden hurdle by 6L (favourite disappointed but has won subsequently) and a mark of 122 looks acceptable on his handicap debut.
Novice hurdle winner at Carlisle and Hexham on the second occasion by a very wide margin (36L). Was a beaten favourite back in handicaps on his penultimate start when given a stiffer task than his novice win and fared slightly better back in novice company last time out under a double penalty.
Still a maiden over hurdles (0/8) but has posted some creditable efforts of late. This looks tougher than his last start at Musselburgh, though, where he finished a moderate fifth; looking as though further than this 2m4f would suit.
Forecasts
Shades Of Midnight (9/4), Ryedale Racer (11/4), Strong Economy (5/1), Pads (6/1), Runswick Royal (8/1), Isaacstown Lad (12/1), Gilt Shadow (14/1), Fago (40/1)
A couple of the main protagonists would surely prefer a longer trip and this 2m4f may well be a little on the short side for Isaacstown Lad and Shades Of Midnight. The former in particular looked caught out by this distance last time out and unless he gets a stronger pace now, the story may again be the same. Gilt Shadow has the potential to outclass this field but his fitness must be questioned after such a long absence. Both Ryedale Racer and STRONG ECONOMY make the most appeal as they return and step into handicap company respectively. Strong Economy in particular looks as though he will be suited by handicaps and powered home for his back-to-form stable here last time out.
1. Strong Economy
2. Ryedale Racer
3. Isaacstown Lad
Prize Money
1st: £7,798.002nd: £2,290.003rd: £1,145.004th: £572.00
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