14:50 Ayr
Friday 22 December 2017
All11:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25
Book Tickets For Racing On 2nd January Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:51Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 16.5s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Initiated a good couple of days for the stable earlier in the month when scoring at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) by 5L. Has been put up 8lb for that ready success, but handles heavy ground and he has decent claims of following up.
Former Nicky Richards inmate who won here over C&D (heavy) in January in novices' company and was beaten just a neck (in receipt of 9lb) by Progress Drive (runs in 1.40) here in March. Gone backwards since, but on a handy mark.
Won a soft ground Doncaster bumper on debut n March and went very close on hurdles debut at Kelso in October. Another good effort on heavy at Hexham last time and enters calculations from workable mark on handicap debut.
Won a bumper and a hurdle on testing ground in 2014. Went close from mark of 117 two years ago, but not seen from then until last month and yet to show old sparkle in three quick runs. Well handicapped if he can recapture some of his old form.
Former French-trained maiden who hinted that he may be able to break his duck on first run for this trainer at Carlisle last month. Below that when upped to 2m3½f at Catterick last time. Drops 3lb and in trip here but bit to prove.
9lb higher than his sole success in a Down Royal handicap hurdle (2m, soft) on Boxing Day last year. One or two decent efforts since then, including over fences. Acts on heavy and no surprise if he is thereabouts.
Has been unable to build on the promise of his first two runs when trained in Ireland. Failed to show any signs of a revival on first start for this trainer at Newcastle when last seen a year ago and looks best watched on reappearance.
Sole National Hunt win was over fences in Ireland and all his best form has been on much better ground than forecast. It has been a long time since he showed any worthwhile form and he is readily opposed from 9lb 'wrong'.
Forecasts
Charmant (11/10), Echo Express (4/1), Backinthesaddle (11/2), Aniknam (9/1), Dulce Panem (11/1), Glingerside (12/1), Our Lucas (33/1), Why But Why (100/1)
There was plenty to like about Charmant's success at Sedgefield last time, though a glance over the field shows that he didn't beat much and with an 8lb rise ahead of this, he may not be able to handle handicap newcomer ECHO EXPRESS. Both runners hail from stables going well, but Nicky Richards' charge appears to have a mark that his trainer can work with and Ryan Day's claim is a bonus. Glingerside, once trained at Richards' Greystoke yard, is on a handy mark if he can show some of his earlier sparkle and the same applies to Aniknam. Backinthesaddle could also be competitive.
- Echo Express
- Charmant
- Backinthesaddle
Prize Money
1st: ÂŁ3,899.002nd: ÂŁ1,145.003rd: ÂŁ572.004th: ÂŁ286.00
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