14:10 Ayr
Saturday 4 November 2017
All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:50
Glenfiddich Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus  |  Class 3  |  3m 70y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 24.32s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Showed some useful form over hurdles last year winning a novice hurdle at Wetherby by 6L. Highly tried in the Neptune at the Festival after that and a Punchestown handicap and should stay 3m; mark looks fairly stiff though.
In fine form last year when winning three handicap hurdles and improving all the time in doing so with his best performance coming at Doncaster off a mark of 131. Disappointed after that but may have had enough and back from a break now.
Winner of a race here last season (via a disqualification) over shorter but appears to enjoy a test of stamina. Failed to follow up that "win" though in a race that should have suited him and returns from an absence here.
Has appeared always to run well when fresh (all wins have come off breaks) so a seasonal debut may be the time to catch up. Lightly raced but has won two of his last three races over an extended period although up 9lb from last win.
Winner of two novice hurdles (one here over shorter) with the last win coming by 36L at Hexham (weak race). Not disgraced when given a couple of stiff tests after those wins and goes in his second handicap here.
Better known as a chaser although he's been fairly lightly raced of late and returned over hurdles last time after a break. Should come on for that run and showed that he retained ability; looks a fragile sort.
Made a fair fist of things over fences last season and now reappears over hurdles after a break. Usually likes to lead and resent competition for that position but could be unopposed here and that would make him a danger.
Going handicapping over a longer trip certainly proved to be the catalyst for an improved performance when he won on his debut in that sphere. Remains unexposed at this trip and could be dangerous if fit back from a break.
Capitalised on a falling mark when scoring over C&D off a 4lb lower mark making most in an easier grade than this. Given a rise in grade in his next race he was rather found out and the story should be the same here.
Really came into his own last year steadily stepping up in trip and moving up through the handicap when winning three times. Wasn't disgraced on his comeback but this is even tougher and he may find this a bit too much.
Win his last two races for his former trainer Sandy Thompson and now makes his debut for a new yard in search of a hat-trick. Those two wins were in much lower grade than this but he may well still have improvement in him at staying trips.
Forecasts
Hello George (7/2), Skipthecuddles (7/2), Isaacstown Lad (7/1), King Of Fashion (7/1), Little Bruce (7/1), Kris Spin (15/2), Falcons Fall (12/1), Bryden Boy (16/1), Hainan (22/1), Imperial Prince (28/1), Another Mattie (33/1)
With the large majority of these coming back from long breaks fitness is going to be an issue here especially at this gruelling trip in the ground. HELLO GEORGE is one horse in the field who has always run well when fresh and he looked as though he had plenty in hand when dotting up at Newbury in the spring and he may well be able to cope with a 9lb rise. Trainer Ian Duncan runs two in this and while both have chances King Of Fashion looks the best able to cope with this grade and should run well. Skipthecuddles has plenty of potential but will do well to overcome top weight while Falcons Fall is still unexposed in this sphere and is of interest. Hainan will want an easy lead and this looks more likely to be a tune-up for a return to chasing with Little Bruce another having to cope with a step-up in grade but still worthy of a mention.
- Hello George
- King Of Fashion
- Falcons Fall
Prize Money
1st: £11,696.002nd: £3,434.003rd: £1,717.004th: £859.00
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