14:25 Ayr

Saturday 2 April 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 47.07s

Milkwood¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 150| BF| CD

13/2

Developed into a smart 2m hurdler last term, winning this from 8 lb lower, and returned with excellent second of 20 in Galway handicap in July. Failed to meet market expectations on chase debut in October but probably saved for this.

Form: 3031-24

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West Cork^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

5/2

Fine advert for trainer's skills when making winning return from 21-months off in Greatwood Hurdle in November. Excellent fourth in the County Hurdle and a must for the shortlist up just 1 lb.

Form: 112/154

Onemorefortheroad²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 136| D

4/1

Bagged his third win of the season when making all at Newbury. Excellent second at Ascot next time and shaped as though still in good form in the Imperial Cup, so this likeable type is well in the mix.

Form: 411124

Voix Du Reve^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 135| D

16/1

Smart at best and cashed in on a falling mark at Newcastle a fortnight ago, value for more than official margin in the process. 3 lb rise fine but this is a deeper race.

Form: 764351

Barrichello³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 134| D

6/1

Slightly frustrating last season but an improved performer this term, well placed to win 4 times in all (3 novice events and a handicap hurdle). Revised mark does ask for more upped in class.

Form: 2-11411

Alqamar¹⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 132| CD

11/1

One-time useful on Flat and returned from a long absence to win 4 in row over hurdles at the start of the season. Yet to be asked for effort when unseating 4 out at Wetherby in October and off since.

Form: 2-1111U

Anna Bunina^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 130| D

6/1

Ended last season with solid efforts in valuable handicaps at Cheltenham and this race. Low-key return this winter but much more like it when keeping on for third at Musselburgh last month. Eased further 3 lb.

Form: 582-543

Socialist Agenda^p1⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 124| D

12/1

Impressive in winning 3 bumpers and arrives in pursuit of a hat-trick following novice and stylish handicap wins. Cheekpieces go and fact he's 6 lb out of the weights suggests his task is a tough one.

Form: 11-2411

Non-Runners

Kihavah¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: A Keatley J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

West Cork (5/2), Onemorefortheroad (4/1), Anna Bunina (6/1), Barrichello (6/1), Milkwood (13/2), Alqamar (11/1), Socialist Agenda (12/1), Voix Du Reve (16/1), Kihavah (25/1)

Having finished runner-up to Milkwood from 5 lb higher in this race a year ago, ANNA BUNINA's claims from a handicapping perspective are pretty compelling with a back-to-form third at Musselburgh last month strengthening her case. West Cork and Onemorefortheroad have already shone in good-quality handicaps this term and head the opposition.