14:25 Ayr

Sunday 18 April 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 43.80s

Diego Du Charmil^t¹⁴^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

12/1

Back to winning ways when landing punt in weak 2m Plumpton handicap hurdle under this rider a fortnight ago, doing little in front. This is tougher under a penalty but he's a classy sort.

Form: 22-3351

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Milkwood³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142| D

3/1

Dual winner over hurdles who was much improved faced with well-run big-field handicap when third to the thriving Belfast Banter in the County Hurdle (lost a shoe). Obvious claims up 2 lb here.

Form: 2-14303

Calico³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

4/1

Useful on Flat in Germany and has made a fine start over hurdles for this yard in 2021, winning 2m novices at Ludlow/Warwick and second in Grade 2 in-between. Likely has more to offer.

Form: 121

Thyme White³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

13/2

Successful return in 2m handicap for 4-y-os at Chepstow on return in October and has contested some of the best 2m handicaps of the season the last twice, well held in the County latest. Interesting.

Form: 10-1U90

Tommy's Oscar²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 138| D

5/1

Successful pointer who has had a fine campaign over hurdles, notching up win number 4 under this rider in 2m Kelso handicap 3 weeks ago. Couldn't rule out up in grade.

Form: 111261

Anna Bunina^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: J C McConnell| OR: 135| D

8/1

Successful twice in Ireland last summer and excelled herself when beaten around 5 lengths in the County at Cheltenham. Place claims with Brian Hughes up.

Form: 124758

Scarlet Dragon^h²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 135| D

40/1

Kept busy on the Flat (including a Royal Ascot win) before a low-key hurdles return at Huntingdon last month. Should find this scenario more to his liking and he's been dropped 5 lb.

Form: 54/158-3

Miss Heritage³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 134| D

18/1

Most consistent and genuine mare who resumed winning ways at Warwick (2m) in February. Good seconds again twice since and should give it her best shot once more.

Form: 222122

Glory And Fortune^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: T Lacey| OR: 130| BF| DWS

13/2

Back to his good novice form when second at Stratford last month, collared near finish. Has undergone more wind surgery since and this is a lot tougher. Work to do.

Form: 52-8402

Non-Runners

Voix Du Reve²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: I Jardine J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Milkwood (3/1), Calico (4/1), Tommy's Oscar (5/1), Glory And Fortune (13/2), Thyme White (13/2), Anna Bunina (8/1), Diego Du Charmil (12/1), Miss Heritage (18/1), Voix Du Reve (33/1), Scarlet Dragon (40/1)

MILKWOOD's County Hurdle third can be marked up given his position on the day and the fact he lost a shoe, and it looks even better still now given the winner Belfast Banter's exploits at Aintree. He can land this good prize if in the same form after just a 2 lb rise. Improving-novices Calico and Tommy's Oscar figure high among the dangers.