14:05 Ayr

Wednesday 31 January 2018

All13:3514:0514:3515:1015:4516:20

Racing UK Free For A Month Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 4m 36.0s

Uncle Alastair⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| CD

4/6

Has won four of his five races with the only defeat coming when he fell on his hurdling bow after winning both his bumpers. Progressing well over hurdles now after his early mishap managing to defy a penalty last time; again has to give weight away all round but is an improving sort.

Form: 11-F11

Bulkov¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122

3/1

One of the more experienced in the field although he didn't need to improve to win a novice at Sedgefield. Found life tougher under a penalty next time but ran with credit on his handicap debut last time (went with zest) having had the run of the race.

Form: 8-42152

Cubomania¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Unknown| T: G Elliott| OR: 111| BF| D

Form: 7-80115

Booyakasha¹⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Unknown| T: N G Richards

Form: 6-30

Chasseur De Tete⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

50/1

His form in a bumper and over hurdles can only be described as modest and he looks one for the longer term really. A mistake at the first last time didn't help and he would have more chance in handicaps.

Form: 0-755

Eagle Ridge⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

20/1

Starts life with a new stable having shown some ability when trained in Ireland by J.R. Barry. Failed to live up to his first two runs after a break last time out and now returns after another break and would look to need more a stamina test.

Form: 53-92

Karamoko⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Unknown| T: N G Richards

Form: 206

Keyboard Gangster^t1²⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans

33/1

Two outings so far in bumpers have shown that that he does have ability but also a fair amount of temperament to go with that aforementioned ability. Not seen since last April (took a strong hold) and will need to be more tractable here on his hurdles debut.

Form: 86-

Our Lucas⁴⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Unknown| T: R M Smith| OR: 92

Form: 7/8008-2

Saint Freule^h,t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

7/1

His first two runs were ruined when he took a very strong hold despite managing to finish second on his debut. Tried in a hood last time under different (hold-up) tactics but again didn't settle and until he does he'll be of limited interest.

Form: 1-265

That's Life⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Unknown| T: N G Richards

Form: 90

Up Helly Aa King²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander

200/1

There was some promise in his bumper debut and his pedigree has a fair bit to recommend him (needed run) and his two subsequent runs have been poor. His hurdles debut last time out after a break particularly so as he folded up quickly and he's best watched here.

Form: 3P-P

Victoria Says⁷⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-1| J: Unknown| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 106| C

Form: 7542-41

Chicago Lady⁶²⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 10-9| J: Unknown| T: D McCain Jnr

Form: 2-

Forecasts

Uncle Alastair (4/6), Bulkov (3/1), Saint Freule (7/1), Eagle Ridge (20/1), Keyboard Gangster (33/1), Chasseur De Tete (50/1), Up Helly Aa King (200/1)

But for a fall on his hurdling debut UNCLE ALASTAIR would be 5/5 in his career and have an unblemished record to his name but he has had some lofty entries to his name and the thought is that he’ll be able to give weight away to all here. Bulkov certainly showed plenty of enthusiasm on his handicap debut last time out but he’ll do well to beat his main rival in receipt of just 6lb. Most of the others have something to prove with Saint Freule having to learn to settle better and Eagle Ridge needing to bounce back to his earlier runs to take a hand here.