13:55 Ayr

Saturday 13 April 2019

All13:2513:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

J & D Pierce Novices' Champion Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 55.8s

Dandy Dan^p1,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 142| CD

7/2

Completed hat-trick of wins with convincing C&D success last time. Up further 2lb and wears first-time cheekpieces but should make a bold bid to maintain his winning streak.

Form: 3-23111

Ibis Du Rheu^p1,t⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

7/1

Didn't seem to stay 3m5f last time at Cheltenham but had previously run well at around this trip on previous two starts at that course. First-time cheekpieces applied for top yard and will be a popular choice.

Form: 455-127

Kilfilum Cross³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 142| D

4/1

Progressive in two starts for current yard, winning at first time of asking at Ludlow in February then running a cracker to be second at Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir. Only 3lb higher so big chance if recovered from those exertions.

Form: 11-4312

Molly The Dolly¹¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

5/1

Two from three over fences but seemingly had limitations exposed when well beaten in mares listed chase last time. Looks to have a bit to find but top yard continue in flying form..

Form: 422-113

Drinks Interval^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139| D

8/1

Won twice off much lower marks earlier this campaign but was pulled up last time when outclassed in Grade 1 RSA Chase at Cheltenham Festival. This is easier but doesn't appear overly well handicapped.

Form: 11F23P

Azzerti³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 136

8/1

Won novice chases at Ascot and Ludlow this winter and not disgraced when 7th of 22 at Cheltenham Festival last time over 2m4f. May improve for this step up in trip and market should reflect any stable confidence.

Form: 031F17

Claud And Goldie²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 129| D

14/1

Just five starts under Rules, winning on penultimate outing at Kelso and far from disgarced last time back there in much hotter race when third off 10lb higher mark. Up 2lb more but good conditional claims 3lb back so has a sporting chance.

Form: 2/45313

Onefortheroadtom^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: R P McLernon| T: H Fry| OR: 124| BF| D

7/1

Yard rare visitors here and yet to hit the target in three previous attempts. Has tumbled down the weights this year after a series of poor runs, and while did better last time he still looks up against it on balance.

Form: 6-65662

Trongate²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 123| C

18/1

Two wins so far this term on vastly different going but not certain to see out this trip at this level. Will do well to be involved at the business end of the contest.

Form: 121432

Forecasts

Dandy Dan (7/2), Kilfilum Cross (4/1), Molly The Dolly (5/1), Ibis Du Rheu (7/1), Onefortheroadtom (7/1), Azzerti (8/1), Drinks Interval (8/1), Claud And Goldie (14/1), Trongate (18/1)

KILFILUM CROSS ran a cracker to be second in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival and after just two starts this term should still have something to offer. Top weights Dandy Dan and Ibis Du Rheu have claims, and the longer trip may bring about better luck for Azzerti. Drinks Interval drops down in class after struggling in a Grade 1 last time, and Claud And Goldie is in with a squeak after a series of good runs this term.