Christmas Party Nights At Ayr Racecourse Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 21.85s

Big Nasty²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 119| BF

11/1

Chasing debut today and best form in two hurdles runs was on good ground in April. Ran poorly when reappearing at Southwell early this month but drop down from 3m likely to help.

Form: 342-4

Ettila De Sivola²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Ewart| OR: 117WS

9/4

Looked a nice prospect when scoring on hurdles debut at Sedgefield and similar efforts both runs after that. Has had a wind operation since last seen but trainer long thought that chasing will be his game so has to be of interest here.

Form: 1/132-

Asum^p1,t³³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 115| BF

12/1

Lots of experience over fences where the pick of his efforts was a second over C&D last year but that form wouldn't be good enough for this and 11 months absence to overcome.

Form: 0UU325-

Three Is Company^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 115

4/1

Runner up in soft ground Point-to-point in March and has shown gradual improvement since over hurdles. Chase debut today for yard who do so well with their raiders here and merits respect.

Form: 733433

Manetti²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111

16/1

Multiple Point-to-point winner and has shown measure of ability over hurdles. Now going chasing and this looks more his discipline so improved effort likely.

Form: 11/3454-

Chateau Robin⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 110

7/4

Plenty of experience over fences and best effort to date was on debut for this yard when just touched off at Perth in July. 10lb rise a tad harsh but has soft ground form to his name and makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 224/32-2

Forecasts

Chateau Robin (7/4), Ettila De Sivola (9/4), Three Is Company (4/1), Big Nasty (11/1), Asum (12/1), Manetti (16/1)

Brian Hughes looks to have chosen CHATEAU ROBIN over chasing newcomer Ettila De Sivola and it may be worth taking that hint despite the fact the handicapper has made life tougher for him after Perth. Three Is Company makes chasing debut for top yard that do so well here and should be up to playing a part in the finish.