13:55 Ayr

Tuesday 15 February 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 27.52s

Benack³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart

40/1

Half-brother to smart hurdler/useful chaser Darver Star. Third in a point but just modest form in a couple of outings under Rules this winter.

Form: 3-564

Fame Valley³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 105

13/2

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who took a step forward when runner-up at on his handicap debut over 2m here a month ago. Step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue and he's one to consider.

Form: 03-5442

Fast Scenic⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ewart

125/1

£18,000 3-y-o, Brave Mansonnien half-brother to 7 winners, notably useful 3m hurdler Doctor Deejay. Dam unraced. Had breathing op prior to a low-key debut at Hexham in December.

Form: 6

Gaillimh A Stor⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander

28/1

£50,000 5-y-o, first foal, dam (b108) dual bumper winner. Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points (Nov 28).

Form: 5-1

Geordies Dream⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson

17/2

No fluke about his 28/1 Kelso bumper success back in April and enhanced his form when runner-up under a penalty here on return. Sure to improve on opening hurdles third at Newcastle in December.

Form: 1-23

Heritier De Sivola⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

50/1

Noroit gelding. Brother to 2¼m-2¾m hurdle/chase winner Eau de Vie Sivola and 17f hurdler winner Gazelle de Sivola. Maiden Irish pointer, made frame last time (Dec 12).

Form: 3-U7234

Mount Melleray^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 115

12/1

Fair maiden hurdler/chaser in Ireland, third over fences at Cork in November. Didn't look any more straightforward on yard/British debut last month, though.

Form: 3422-34

So Many Roads⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans

200/1

Sulamani gelding. Dam, winning pointer, half-sister to fairly useful 3m hurdle winner Teeton Babysham. Minor promise only in a Haydock bumper.

Form: 5

Sporty Jim⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy

16/1

Flemensfirth gelding who hit the frame both starts in bumpers in December. Makes hurdles debut for in-form yard.

Form: 43

Storm Tiger⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 97

25/1

Successful on sole outing in points and stepped up on previous hurdling efforts when fourth in handicap company at Hexham. Failed to repeat that effort upped to 3m at Haydock.

Form: 1/7-0945

The Flier Begley^h,t1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Ewing⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford

11/10

Placed all 3 starts in bumpers and promising start when fourth in a big-field maiden over this sort of trip at Navan 24 days ago. Hood/tongue tie on and he's the one to beat.

Form: 23-224

The Real Rascal⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen

300/1

No promise in bumpers.

Form: 880

Your Own Story⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

8/1

Bred to stay well and shaped that way in an Irish bumper. Sold from Gareth Aherne £85,000 in December having won last 2 of 4 starts in Irish points.

Form: 7-4311

Charm Offensive⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105

7/1

Getting better with experience and yet to finish out of the frame over hurdles. Stays 3m and she's likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 422-234

Non-Runners

Jet Legs¹⁰⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: M Todhunter J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Flier Begley (11/10), Fame Valley (13/2), Charm Offensive (7/1), Your Own Story (8/1), Geordies Dream (17/2), Mount Melleray (12/1), Sporty Jim (16/1), Storm Tiger (25/1), Jet Legs (25/1), Gaillimh A Stor (28/1), Benack (40/1), Heritier De Sivola (50/1), Fast Scenic (125/1), So Many Roads (200/1), The Real Rascal (300/1)

THE FLIER BEGLEY made a promising start to his hurdles career when fourth in a deeper maiden than this at Navan last month and he's very much the one to beat. Your Own Story changed hands for £85,000 after a brace of point wins so has to command respect, along with Geordies Dream and Charm Offensive.