Racing UK Jump To It Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 6m 46.0s

Sweet As Candy²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122| C| D

9/2

Winner of an Irish point-to-point on his only start he showed ability in his only bumper before running well on his hurdles debut (shaped like a stayer). Built on that debut last time out over 2m5f here showing a good attitude when winning; open to more progress making his handicap debut.

Form: 1-741

Dedigout^p,t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 115| D

5/1

Formerly a high-class hurdler in Ireland (won three Grade 2 hurdles in a row and Grade 1 Champion Novice) but very much on the downgrade since those heady days. Looked as though he had lost his way for his current yard until showing some signs of life last time; very well handicapped on his old form.

Form: PP8864

The Delray Munky^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 113| C

6/1

Defends her unbeaten record at the track (2/2) having won two handicap hurdles here recently over shorter trips the second off a 15lb higher mark than the first (beat two previous last time out winners) Handles testing conditions well and both wins have come in cheekpieces; well beaten on her one previous try at this trip (handicap debut).

Form: 093811

Skipthescales^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 113| D

11/4

Winner of two such handicaps for this yard he did look a hard ride when last seen over this C&D (raced lazily in cheekpieces). A switch to blinkers next time out saw him not only travel better but return to winning ways at Newcastle again underlining his liking for a test of stamina.

Form: 631431

Transient Bay^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112| C

22/1

Goes best at Uttoxeter and won the same race there last time out for the second year running off a 3lb higher mark (2m4f). Has won here over hurdles (2m4f) but his two runs over this trip here have resulted in pulled-up efforts both times; an inconsistent sort he's hard to catch right.

Form: P14-0P1

Durbanville³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: J Ewart| OR: 110

9/4

Made a winning stable/handicap debut (formerly with Keith Dalgleish) at Carlisle in October over 2m3f (suited by stamina test provided; responded well to pressure). Ran well when placed in two subsequent starts (over further) but looked short of pace back over 2m3f last time; trip should suit better; cheekpieces removed this time.

Form: 44-1336

Non-Runners

Sevenballs Of Fire³²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 9

T: G Bewley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Durbanville (9/4), Skipthescales (11/4), Sweet As Candy (9/2), Dedigout (5/1), The Delray Munky (6/1), Sevenballs Of Fire (12/1), Transient Bay (22/1)

Certainly the most competitive race on the card with four of the six runners coming here on the back of a recent victory. Sweet As Candy is of obvious interest on his handicap debut from a yard that have been in fine form of late although he’ll need to progress again giving weight away all round in testing conditions over the longest trip he’s tried. The Delray Munky not only comes here on a hat-trick but also has an unbeaten record at Ayr to defend over a trip that is further than her two victories; she failed when tried over this sort of trip before. Phil Kirby runs two here both who won last time out with the inconsistent Transient Bay picking up his usual Uttoxeter race and SKIPTHESCALES winning at Newcastle showing plenty of resolution and conditions won’t be a worry. The two that complete the field can’t be totally ruled out Dedigout being very well handicapped on his old form and Durbanville should appreciate this return to 3m.