16:45 Ayr

Saturday 13 April 2019

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

Purvis Marquees Racing Excellence 'Hands & Heels' Finale Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 55.10s

Potterman⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Oakley Brown⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 126| D

5/2

Disappointed first two starts this season but did better last time at Kempton when respectable fifth in decent handicap hurdle. Runs off same mark and enters calculations.

Form: 3-11455

Katgary^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: C Brace| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 124| D

16/1

Has proved frustrating for connections having failed to win for nearly three years despite having had plenty of apparent chances. Goes on any ground but a place is probably the very best he can hope for.

Form: 244-463

Stowaway Magic^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: William Marshall⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

15/2

Fair handicapper hurdler at best. Went novice chasing earlier in the term then switched back to timber and hasn't sparkled in recent outings. Heavy ground probably against him last time though so a return to form not ruled out.

Form: 150907

Golden Jeffrey^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Morgan⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 123| C| D

12/1

One of two representing last year's winning yard. Won bumper here for Mark Johnston two years ago and has mixed track from since then. Two wins in December and may have needed the run last month on first start since.

Form: 622117

Court Dreaming¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 121| D

5/1

Unexposed gelding who made it 2 wins from his last 4 starts when scoring at Kelso last time back in November. Five month break to overcome but just 5lb higher and connections appear to have waited for a srping campaign so is of some interest.

Form: 5-21421

Quest For Life^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: M Haigh⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 120| D

12/1

Second a couple of times at Sedgefield prior to poor run over fences at Carlisle last time. Only 1-17 overall and will do well to double his tally here.

Form: 503225

Legalized³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 118| D

6/1

Won cosily at Sedgefield last time off 3lb lower mark. Very different track here but clearly in good heart and may not be far away under decent young rider.

Form: 542121

River Icon¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Nathan Seery⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 115

20/1

Hasn't shown too much in recent starts but represents last year's winning stable. May have needed latest start after a break so some room for improvement, but on balance may be playing for a place at best.

Form: 432445

Blunder Buss^v1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 108

12/1

Connections reach for first-time visor in a bid to concentrate his mind. Won 13 months ago off 10lb higher mark but has been pretty much in the doldrums since and didn't do enough at Kelso last time to suggest he's a winner-in-waiting.

Form: 357445

Beau Et Sublime^t⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore| T: R M Smith| OR: 106| DWS

25/1

Yard does pretty well here and is in form with 2-6 in recent weeks. Is on a long losing run and ran very poorly last time out here in February. First start now since wind operation but others make far more appeal.

Form: 267579

Castletown^b⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Thomas Willmott| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 103| BF| D

6/1

Found only one too good in this race 12 months ago and runs here off 1lb lower mark. Mostly chasing since without success, and not beyond reason that return to timber could bring about some improvement.

Form: 572223

Forecasts

Potterman (5/2), Court Dreaming (5/1), Castletown (6/1), Legalized (6/1), Stowaway Magic (15/2), Quest For Life (12/1), Golden Jeffrey (12/1), Blunder Buss (12/1), Katgary (16/1), River Icon (20/1), Beau Et Sublime (25/1)

Quite a few of these have been struggling for form of late so recent Sedgefield winner LEGALIZED might be the safest choice. She's only been raised 3lb and while this is a better event she should still give a good account of herself. Golden Jeffrey looks the best of the two Iain Jardine runners and should give it a good go, while Court Dreaming is a potential improver and is very much respected. Potterman looked on the way back last time, and Stowaway Magic has a squeak having got stuck in the mud last time out.