14:45 Ayr

Wednesday 14 November 2018

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

Christmas Parties At Western House Hotel Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:49 | Winning time: 5m 25.7s

Quick Pick²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alain Cawley| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| D

9/1

Dual 2m4f winner at Sedgefield over hurdles last season, both on soft ground. Handicapper seemed to have his measure more recently so now goes over fences for first time which as a winning point-to-pointer should cause no issues.

Form: 311930-

Trongate¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 117| BF| C

9/4

Course winner over hurdles has made a good start to his chasing career with a win and two seconds so far, the latest coming in a similar contest over C&D. Same mark here so has to be considered a likely sort.

Form: 8-43212

Henry's Joy¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117| BF| D

7/1

Placed point-to-pointer won once in five hurdle starts (2m4f Sedgefield). Shade disappointing subsequently but bred to be best over fences so no surprise if he makes his presence felt on chase debut.

Form: 42517-2

Sophie Olivia³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 116| D

4/1

Most impressive on chase bow at Hexham (2m4f) last month where she jumped smoothly and powered clear by 5L despite hanging right. Raised 8lb for that success but looked a chaser worth staying on the right side of there so leading claims here.

Form: 32/128-1

Asum^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 113

6/1

Dual hurdle winner was last on chase bow and unseated the next twice before at least getting round latest when third over C&D. Each-way possibilities but jumping makes him a risky proposition.

Form: 12-0UU3

Chasseur De Tete^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

25/1

Newcastle hurdle winner on final start of last season but fell at the last when already well beaten on reappearance chase debut at Perth. Hopefully no ill effects from that mentally but others appeal more.

Form: 53921-F

Lord County^p²²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119| D

8/1

Lone chase run came when trained in France (fifth of six) but won three times over hurdles last season for this yard so almost certainly improved since. Continued ascent all season so should be capable of going well if jumping soundly.

Form: 311351-

Strong Economy¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Lucy Alexander| T: I A Duncan| OR: 109| CD

13/2

Close third here last term remains a best effort to date over fences. Changed hands over the summer and reappeared with a fair C&D fourth but not for the first time jumping errors held him back and that remains a concern.

Form: 4423B-4

Imperial Prince¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 102| D

33/1

None from seven over fences although three times placed but showed no signs he is getting any nearer when tailed off on recent return here over 3m which is a trip he does stay. Leap of faith now required.

Form: 73-3439

Non-Runners

Imada²⁵⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: N G Richards J: C O'Farrell

Lovely Schtuff¹⁴³

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: Mrs J Stephen J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

Trongate (9/4), Sophie Olivia (4/1), Asum (6/1), Strong Economy (13/2), Henry's Joy (7/1), Imada (7/1), Lord County (8/1), Quick Pick (9/1), Lovely Schtuff (16/1), Chasseur De Tete (25/1), Imperial Prince (33/1)

SOPHIE OLIVIA was a most impressive winner of her first start over fences and her jumping that day was a real positive so she gets the nod despite a 8lb rise. Trongate has also made a good start to his chasing career winning before finishing second latest over C&D in a similar contest off the same mark. There are several newcomers to fences with Henry's Joy of particular interest for Donald McCain who won this contest last year with a chasing debutant.