15:10 Ayr

Thursday 2 January 2020

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4015:1015:45

Winter Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 52.6s

Imperial Prince⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 99| BF

12/1

A two-time winner over hurdles, however, he is 0-16 over fences. He went off as the 5-1 co-favourite at Newcastle (2m7½f) last time but was pulled up. Off a workable mark if he bounces back from latest.

Form: 624-74P

Walkin In The Rain⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie| OR: 97

17/2

Has had just the four appearances under Rules so far. He produced his best effort yet last time when he was second of eight at this course (2m4½f). Stepping up in trip now. One to consider.

Form: 4P/4602

Smuggler's Stash^v²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 96| CD

12/1

A two-time C&D winner. Was third of six on his opening start of the season at Hexham (3m) but failed to build upon that last time at that same C&D as he was pulled up. Has been eased 4lb. Others are preferred.

Form: 1143/3P

Mcginty's Dream²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 93| CD

8/1

Scored over this C&D back in February. Has been unable to add to his record in three appearances since then, including latest at Hexham (3m) where he was fourth of 10. Drops down 5lb in the weights but still needs to find much more from this mark.

Form: 211F-84

Oh No^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 91

12/1

Has yet to prevail in nine attempts on the track. Ran out last time at Carlisle (3m1f) in a hurdles contest when leading before the fourth obstacle. Remains off the same mark. Not one to ignore on his second chase appearance.

Form: 380-03R

Asking For Answers^v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 88

9/2

Is 0-10 under Rules. Has yet to improve since going chasing. He came down at the third fence from home last time at Hexham (3m) when he was tiring. Needs to produce more on this latest attempt.

Form: 5U-5U5F

Skyhill^h,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 86

2/1

Is on a hat-trick bid after success in a 3m2½f handicap chase at Sedgefield and a 2m6½f handicap hurdle at Kelso respectively. Is up just 3lb on his last win on his switch to fences. Leading contender.

Form: 552311

Pc Dixon²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 85

6/1

His sole success over hurdles came at Hexham (2m) in March 2018. He went close to adding to his tally on his last start as he was second of 10 at Hexham (3m). Remains off the same mark. Worth consideration.

Form: P5-5F62

Veauce De Sivola^t²⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 82| BF| D

10/1

Prevailed at Musselburgh (3m) on his penultimate outing after going off as the 5/2 favourite. Went close to following it up last time as he was second of 11 at Hexham (3m). Remains off the same mark. One to consider.

Form: 894212-

Forecasts

Skyhill (2/1), Asking For Answers (9/2), Pc Dixon (6/1), Mcginty's Dream (8/1), Walkin In The Rain (17/2), Veauce De Sivola (10/1), Smuggler's Stash (12/1), Oh No (12/1), Imperial Prince (12/1)

SKYHILL is in great form at the moment with success coming over hurdles and fences. He is bidding for a hat-trick of wins here and he can get that off just a 3lb higher position than his last run over hurdles. Veauce De Sivola is the biggest danger as he is running well himself at the moment with a victory coming two starts ago at Musselburgh, while Walking In The Rain may improve for this step up in trip so take the lightly-raced gelding to fill up the placings.