14:50 Ayr

Monday 15 January 2018

All13:1013:4514:1514:5015:2515:55

Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 2.84s

Strong Economy²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 114| CD

5/1

Made his chase debut last time out having previously shown some fair form over hurdles (winner of a 2m5f novice here). Third on debut over fences behind a couple of useful sorts in better grade over 2m4f here showed him in a good light; should be suited by further but dropped 4lb for his initial effort.

Form: 21U9-33

Imperial Prince¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: I A Duncan| OR: 110| D

14/1

A dual winning hurdler when with Sandy Thomson he's shown very little in two runs for this yard so far (both over hurdles). His effort over hurdles here last time out was very laboured and he looks to have plenty to prove in this grade and off this mark.

Form: 9311/P9

Hills Of Dubai²⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

3/1

Yet to win a race but has shown some fair form over hurdles and now goes chasing for the first time back from a break. Last seen out on heavy ground at Chepstow last March off this same mark (looked a little high) and may just strip a little fitter for this.

Form: 13/6233-

Celtic Flames^p1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| BF

6/1

Took a marked step forward when switched to fences at Hexham in November on desperate ground over 2m. Stayed on well on that occasion but failed to back that run up in slightly better grade off a 5lb higher mark (jumping less than fluent); more needed here.

Form: 3/46414

Buffalo Ballet⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107| D

10/3

Still yet to get off the mark over fences although he has run a couple of fair races to finish runner-up over this C&D. Has ability but has to apply himself in a race better (often travels well) but acquitted himself well in a better race last time out; chance of this mark.

Form: 62U-245

Forty Crown⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 106| D

8/1

Not run over fences since he was with his former yard (John Wade) and despite winning twice over hurdles for this yard has been out of sorts of late. Handicapper has given him a real chance here (last run off 114) but he's looked rather awkward of late and yard are very quiet.

Form: 137-458

Paddling¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101

6/1

Had shown glimmers of ability over fences before he took a Catterick 0-100 handicap last time over 2m3f by 14L off a mark of 89. That was a poor race but the yard are going well at the moment and it looks as though he's getting his act together over fences; up 12lb for that win though.

Form: P84-431

Firth Of Bavard²⁸⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: R Goldie| OR: 75

80/1

Now an 11-year-old he's had very little racing (only six career runs) and turns to chasing late in life having had very little success over hurdles. Returns from a long break for his first chasing start from a long way out of the handicap and hard to make a case for him.

Form: P0/P548-

Forecasts

Hills Of Dubai (3/1), Buffalo Ballet (10/3), Strong Economy (5/1), Paddling (6/1), Celtic Flames (6/1), Forty Crown (8/1), Imperial Prince (14/1), Firth Of Bavard (80/1)

STRONG ECONOMY has always looked the sort to make a chaser and turned in a decent effort on his debut when given a tough task and this drop in grade looks as though it will suit him well and he has the ability to handle these conditions. Buffalo Ballet has the ability to win a race such as this but does just need to apply himself through a race while Paddling has to show that he can handle this better class of race of an increased mark although he did win well last time. Hills Of Dubai makes his chase and looks the type to do well in this sphere from a stable going well this season but the first-time cheekpieces will need to work the oracle with Celtic Flames after his poor run last time out.