12:35 Ayr

Wednesday 14 November 2018

All12:0512:3513:1013:4014:1514:4515:2015:50

Book Now For The Coral Scottish Grand National Maiden Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 12:36 | Winning time: 5m 19.5s

Anytime Now²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 110

5/2

Useful bumper performer is yet to score in nine over hurdles although he has placed four times. Handled soft in only previous try and respected here for yard with 43 per cent strike rate on these shores.

Form: 423375

Asking For Answers²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter

80/1

Improved in second of two point-to-points but remote 11th of 12 on hurdles debut at Carlisle when he was beaten from four out. Hard to fancy.

Form: 730

Bridane High⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs J Stephen

66/1

Second in lone point-to-point and ran well for a while in a 2m Kelso bumper, eventually finishing fifth of 10. Bred for hurdles and a trip so conditions here ought to suit better but tall order in first hurdle start.

Form: 2-5

Diocese¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith

8/1

Very useful in French bumpers winning three times at up to 1m7f. Close third and stayed on strongly in last start on a 1m4f Grade Three contest. Very interesting new recruit and if taking to obstacles he has realistic claims.

Form: 1/3-1123

Highland Hunter²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

11/4

Point-to-point winner in May 2017 and made a winning debut for this trainer in a Kelso bumper (heavy) earlier this year. Ended his campaign with a midfield finish in the Aintree bumper; interesting hurdles newcomer.

Form: 110-

Jack Riddell

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley

100/1

Unraced second foal; dam (placed in a point-to-point) was a half-sister to the 2m6f-3m1f chase winner Miss Mattie Ross; holds little obvious chance today starting off very late at the age of ten.

Form:

Manetti²¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

25/1

Lone rules race saw him 11th of 12 after winning a Portrush point-to-point back in April 2017. Since won twice more in the fields and surely will fare better this time around with extra 4f much more suitable.

Form: 10/2211-

Skyhill¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton

25/1

Debutant under rules placed five times in eight starts in maiden point-to-points. Others have considerably stronger form in similar contests so likely to struggle here.

Form: 33202-2

Amor Verdadero³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: L Lennon

100/1

Beaten 57L and 35L in recent Irish bumpers beating two rivals combined. Switch to hurdles will likely suit (dam won over them) but huge amount of improvement required.

Form: 79

Derriana Spirit²²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards

6/4

Built on useful form in first three bumpers (twice second) when winning last time out at Carlisle to end last season. Bred for fences in the future but shown enough to merit respect on this her hurdles debut.

Form: 2271-

Forecasts

Derriana Spirit (6/4), Anytime Now (5/2), Highland Hunter (11/4), Diocese (8/1), Manetti (25/1), Skyhill (25/1), Bridane High (66/1), Asking For Answers (80/1), Jack Riddell (100/1), Amor Verdadero (100/1)

ANYTIME NOW has a significant experience edge on his main rivals over hurdles and although he has been frustrating so far he has an excellent chance to get off the mark here. Highland Hunter looked a smart prospect when winning a Kelso bumper and hurdles should see him in an even better light so he is respected as is fellow hurdling debutant Diocese who was smart in French bumpers.