15:25 Ayr

Saturday 2 November 2019

All12:3513:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Tennent's Cup Scottish Champion Hurdle Trial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 3m 59.20s

Leoncavallo^p¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142| D

4/1

Has won six times over hurdles but his form this year has been disappointing. He was eighth of 17 on his latest appearance at Haydock (1m7½f) in a Grade 3 race. Can't be ignored given what he is capable of.

Form: 13205-8

Fanfan Du Seuil²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 136

6/1

Scored at Exeter (2m1f) on just his second start in the UK. Stepped up heavily in class last time in a Grade 1 contest at Aintree (2m1f) where he was seventh of nine. This assignment is easier so he is one for the shortlist.

Form: 1/F1257-

Nietzsche^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 135| C| D

5/1

Has been in good form recently over fences with wins to his name already this season. He was second of four in a novice chase at Sedgefield (2m½f) last time, beaten by a neck. Worth thinking about as he returns to hurdles.

Form: 1212U2

Elvis Mail^h²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 132| D

8/1

Prevailed for the second time in his last four starts when he scored at Kelso (2m2f) on his latest start. He was 7L clear of his rivals when he crossed the line last time after going off as the 2/9 favourite. One to think about.

Form: 3/41231-

Keyboard Gangster^t²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 127| CD

8/1

Scored over this C&D in February 2018. Has since won at Kelso (2m) but he has been well held on his last three starts, including his most recent outing at Newcastle (2m½f) where he was fourth of seven. Has been eased 5lb but others are preferred.

Form: 131/764-

The Steward^b⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: James Moffatt| OR: 120

16/1

Broke his maiden in emphatic fashion last time as he scored at Cartmel (2m1f) by 8L. Has gone up 10lb for that success but the way he stretched away from his rivals last time suggests he is still off a workable mark here.

Form: 24-4341

Martila²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 119| CD

2/1

Won this race in 2017 off this mark but has only won once since then. She performed well last time at Kelso (2m) when she was second of nine runners. Should build upon her latest appearance. Leading contender.

Form: 4150-42

Non-Runners

Fin And Game²¹⁰

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Lake Takapuna⁹⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: J Ewart J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Martila (2/1), Leoncavallo (4/1), Nietzsche (5/1), Fanfan Du Seuil (6/1), Elvis Mail (8/1), Keyboard Gangster (8/1), Lake Takapuna (8/1), Fin And Game (12/1), The Steward (16/1)

MARTILA won this race in 2017 from this same mark and her performance at Kelso last time suggests she is returning to form so take her to prevail once again in this contest. The Steward blew away the field on his last appearance at Cartmel and although he is off a 10lb higher mark now, he should be close by at the finish, while Fanfan Du Seuil will need to concede weight to the majority of his rials here, however, he is very capable over hurdles so take him to fill the placings.