13:40 Ayr

Tuesday 21 December 2021

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:4515:15

Ayr Racecourse Gift Vouchers Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 17.1s

Bill Baxter³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123| C

10/11

Useful bumper winner who opened his account in this sphere in 20f novice hurdle here 35 days ago by 2¼l from Salvino, responding well. Has more to offer over this longer trip. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 214-21

Nells Son⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| C

3/1

Useful bumper scorer who made a winning start in this sphere in 11-runner novice at Kelso (16.2f) 59 days ago, well on top at the finish. Open to improvement over this longer trip. Player.

Form: 2/11-1

Benack²²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: J EwartWS

80/1

€13,500 3-y-o, Shirocco gelding. Half-brother to smart hurdler/useful chaser Darver Star. Third in a point, and had wind op ahead of hurdling bow here. No forlorn hope.

Form: 3-5

Fame Valley²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan

12/1

Only second run over hurdles when very good fourth of 12 in 2m novice here 22 days ago. He should be suited by further than 2m, so can't be ruled out.

Form: 5/03-54

Firth Of Forth⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

25/1

Fair form in bumpers before (14/1) encouraging fourth of 15 in novice at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) on hurdles bow 43 days ago. Sure to progress granted this stiffer test of stamina.

Form: 2-84

Green Vault^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

11/1

Fair Irish bumper winner who has hinted at promise both runs over hurdles, tongue strap on when patiently-ridden seventh in novice at Carlisle (20f) 51 days ago. Since had wind op. Considered.

Form: 5/261-27

Half Track³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111

5/1

In frame on both his starts over hurdles, staying-on third of 13 to Bill Baxter in 20f novice here 35 days ago. One for the shortlist with this longer trip a plus.

Form: 5-43

Largy Fix^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Reed| T: T Reed

100/1

Well held both outings in this sphere, tenth of 13 to Bill Baxter in 20f novice here 35 days ago. Has lots to find on form.

Form: F1/0-70

Non-Runners

Salvino³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Bill Baxter (10/11), Nells Son (3/1), Half Track (5/1), Salvino (11/2), Green Vault (11/1), Fame Valley (12/1), Firth Of Forth (25/1), Benack (80/1), Largy Fix (100/1)

Plenty of potential on show here. NELLS SON was strong at the finish when going in at the first attempt over hurdles at Kelso so this useful bumper winner looks the way to go now he steps up in distance. Bill Baxter created a good impression when opening his account here last month and rates a big threat with Salvino, runner-up that day, and Half Track also in the mix in an intriguing novice.