15:40 Ayr

Tuesday 15 February 2022

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

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 50.93s

Green Vault^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113| C

11/8

Irish bumper winner who has improved switched to handicaps the last twice, doing the job well over 21.4f here last month before going in again upped to 23f at Bangor 4 days later. Obvious claims.

Form: 1-27311

Ned Tanner⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 112

7/2

Failed to build on hurdles debut promise when third at Haydock, but subsequent Kelso novice success (22.7f, heavy) represented a step firmly back in the right direction. Possibilities on handicap bow.

Form: 3-4431

Stolen Money⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 111| D

7/1

Improved performer this season, bagging handicaps at around 3m at Carlisle and Haydock. Up a total of 12 lb and this is tougher, but he has to be respected in his hat-trick bid.

Form: P242-11

Stoney Rover²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 109| D

9/1

Fair hurdler/chaser for Katie Scott and off the mark at fourth attempt for this yard when landing a 15-runner handicap hurdle at Newcastle (23.7f, good to soft) last month. Claims here up 5 lb.

Form: 34U/521

The Delray Munky^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 108| CD

11/2

Kelso chase winner last winter and shaped as though she may be coming to hand when fifth of 15 in Newcastle handicap hurdle won by Stoney Rover. Place possibilities if able to build on that effort.

Form: 1RP-655

Jessiemac^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 100| CD

14/1

Twice a winner here in the past and back on the scoresheet when getting on top close home over 25.3f at Catterick last month. Nudged up just 2 lb and shouldn't be too far away, albeit this is tougher.

Form: 78-P651

Bannside¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 91

25/1

Little impact in a bumper and 3 starts over hurdles to date. Entirely possible that he'll be seen in a better light now upped in trip for this handicap debut, but significant improvement is needed.

Form: 9767

Non-Runners

Final Reminder¹²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 10

T: N W Alexander J: Non Runner

Skiddaw Tara¹¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: M A Barnes J: Callum Bewley

Bullion Boss²⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: N G Richards J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Green Vault (11/8), Ned Tanner (7/2), The Delray Munky (11/2), Stolen Money (7/1), Stoney Rover (9/1), Bullion Boss (10/1), Jessiemac (14/1), Skiddaw Tara (14/1), Final Reminder (20/1), Bannside (25/1)

This is tougher than the handicaps GREEN VAULT landed here and at Bangor last month but on each occasion he went about his business in the manner of one who has plenty more to offer and the 6-y-o is taken to complete the hat-trick. Stolen Money is also bidding for a third consecutive success, but bigger threats may be posed by Kelso novice winner Ned Tanner and Stoney Rover.