12:25 Ayr

Monday 18 January 2021

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:3015:0015:3516:05

EBF 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 5m 48.51s

Bass Rock⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117| BF

13/8

From a useful French family and fairly useful form for current yard, second of 12 in novice hurdle at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) 70 days ago. Will stay 20f, and the one to beat on form.

Form: 5-22

Champagnesuperover^t1⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 115| BF| CWS

6/4

Useful bumper winner but twice beaten at odds-on over hurdles this term, folding from last when fourth at Chepstow (19.4f) 59 days ago. Had wind op and tongue strap on now so may still do better.

Form: 13-24

Famous Moment³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

150/1

Fetched €125,000 as 3-y-o and close relative to high-class chaser Riders Onthe Storm. 8/1, patiently ridden when debut eighth in Newcastle bumper 39 days ago. Much respected now hurdling up in trip.

Form: 8

Honor Grey⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 115

6/1

Fair form in bumpers and made a sound start over hurdles when fourth in 21.5f Exeter novice. Failed to build on it when filling same spot at Carlisle last time so has bit to prove now.

Form: 44-44

Operation Overlord^t1⁴⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

28/1

28/1, encouraging fourth of 12 in novice hurdle at Carlisle (17f, heavy) on NH debut but off track 13 months. Up in trip and tongue strap fitted, so he remains open to progress. Market can guide.

Form: 4-

Simple Rules⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter

18/1

Built on hurdling debut when (20/1) second of 10 in 2m Sedgefield novice 45 days ago. Has something to find on form but winner has gone in since and longer trip will suit, so he needs considering.

Form: B2-72

Ugo Du Misselot^h1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 117

9/1

Modest form in bumpers but has shown promise over timber, improving on his debut effort 9 months on when runner-up on yard debut at this track (21f) 35 days ago. Hood on now and place claims.

Form: F/0474-2

Melanamix⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R M Smith

18/1

Off mark in Irish points at fifth attempt and shaped with promise when third of 11 in novice hurdle (33/1) at Kelso (20.9f, heavy) last month. Has more to offer and must enters calculations.

Form: PP-D213

Worcester Pearmain³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R Dobbin

200/1

Modest form at best over hurdles/fences when last seen out in early 2018 but has enjoyed some success between the flags in more recent times. Others still preferred though.

Form: 13/342-5

Forecasts

Champagnesuperover (6/4), Bass Rock (13/8), Honor Grey (6/1), Ugo Du Misselot (9/1), Melanamix (18/1), Simple Rules (18/1), Operation Overlord (28/1), Famous Moment (150/1), Worcester Pearmain (200/1)

A few of these offer potential but BASS ROCK sets the bar quite high so is taken to open his account after twice hitting the bar for his new connections this term. Champagnesuperover has yet to reproduce his useful bumper form over hurdles but returns after a wind op now so is much respected for his in-form yard with Melanamix and Simple Rules appealing as the pick of the rest.