15:45 Ayr

Wednesday 31 January 2018

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

Only 1,000 Racing UK Free Trials Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 14.78s

Top Cat Henry¹⁷

Age: 18| Weight: 12-0| J: Unknown| T: N W Alexander| OR: 117| D

Form: 510P-45

Hills Of Dubai¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116| CD

13/8

Given a positive ride when winning on his chasing debut over C&D having cost plenty (£100, 000) after winning an Irish point-to-point. Jumped impeccably on that first start (beat Buffalo Ballet) and now 7lb higher but still looks as though he'll be hard to beat.

Form: 3/6233-1

Road To Gold⁴²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115

7/1

Despite being a winning Irish point-to-pointer he really hasn't taken to chasing under Rules having finished last on both his starts over fences. Now returns from a lengthy break but will need to jump a lot better than before to make a mark here trying handicaps over fences for the first time.

Form: 121F/35-

Calivigny^v²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 113| CD

7/2

0/11 over fences he has the ability to win races in this sphere but he is looking to be a rather awkward ride on occasions although the test over 3m here last time proved too much for him. Now back at a shorter trip which should help but the temperament issues are rather worrying.

Form: 47-2725

Present Flight^t⁶⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

25/1

Returns to the track after a long break having previously gone 2/8 in this sphere but he is still 2lb above his last winning mark. Could well need this run and has been a little inconsistent in the past.

Form: 1P2425/

Well Above Par⁶⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 11-7| J: Unknown| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110

Form: 623-2F6

Un Noble^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 109| CD

11/2

Previously a useful handicap chaser but he hasn't shown that much for quite some time. Pulled-up here last time off an 8lb higher mark the handicapper has cut him some immediate slack but others hold stronger claims.

Form: UPP4-8P

Freddies Portrait²¹

Age: 17| Weight: 11-4| J: Unknown| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107

Form: 155-56P

Valzan^b²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 103

10/1

A winning French chase who has shaped well in his last two starts over fences for this yard having failed to show much potential over hurdles for the stable. Both his two chasing starts have been better than his final finishing position and this step back in trip makes him of interest here off a 2lb higher mark.

Form: 6-25979

Sharney Sike⁵⁶

Age: 20| Weight: 10-13| J: Unknown| T: W Coltherd| OR: 102| D

Form: 273-45P

Ardmillan⁴⁰

Age: 18| Weight: 10-10| J: Unknown| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 99| D

Form: 4P-0683

Orioninverness⁴⁰

Age: 15| Weight: 10-5| J: Unknown| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 94| D

Form: 48614-F

Alfred Oats^t⁴⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: R Goldie| OR: 82

12/1

Veteran who managed to finish runner-up here twice last year (once over C&D and once over further). Has run with credit twice this season but well out of the handicap here although he did finish just in front of Valzan last time out; faces a tough task.

Form: 56/22-76

Forecasts

Hills Of Dubai (13/8), Calivigny (7/2), Un Noble (11/2), Road To Gold (7/1), Valzan (10/1), Alfred Oats (12/1), Present Flight (25/1)

The switch to fences looked to have really improved HILLS OF DUBAI who put in a fine first chasing performance from the front jumping really well, he gets a 7lb rise for that effort and that looks unlikely to stop him making a bold bid again over fences. Calvigny is one of the main dangers but his overall chasing record is a little off putting while Un Noble and Present Flight need to bounce back from a poor run and a long absence respectively. Of the remainder Valzan is the most interesting his two runs over fences so far have been better than his finishing position and he’s worth a second look here back over a shorter trip.