13:50 Ayr

Wednesday 9 November 2022

All13:1513:5014:2514:5515:2515:55

Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:54 | Winning time: 4m 10.5s

Benz^p⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

11/2

Improved further to get off the mark in a 2m Tramore maiden hurdle in August. Respectable efforts back on the level since and ought to be very competitive under a penalty.

Form: 861

Ballabawn¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

6/4

50,000 gns 4-y-o, Soldier of Fortune gelding. Dam, ran once in bumper, half-sister to useful 2m/2½m hurdle winner Falcon Crest. Cosily off mark in Irish points at the second attempt in May. Much respected Rules newcomer.

Form: 3-1

Couldntgivamonkeys²⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith

300/1

Well held in a brace of bumpers.

Form: 06-

Eden Mill¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans

66/1

Poor in bumpers and well held in 2 novice hurdles.

Form: 475-0

Fortescue Wood^h1,t1⁶⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| CD

4/1

Confirmed debut promise when making all in a C&D bumper in January 2021. Did too much too soon there 7 weeks later and not seen since. Fitted with a first-time hood and tongue strap on hurdles debut.

Form: 314/

Gege Ville³⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| CD

2/1

Looked promising when making a winning start in a C&D bumper (good) on debut 11 months ago, well on top finish. Switches to hurdling with yard in red-hot form and has to be taken seriously.

Form: 1-

Farne Island²⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol

250/1

Is bred to need time and distance and shaped accordingly in a Musselburgh bumper on debut in February.

Form: 7-

Non-Runners

Mister Freddie⁵⁵³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: R Dobbin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ballabawn (6/4), Gege Ville (2/1), Fortescue Wood (4/1), Benz (11/2), Mister Freddie (6/1), Eden Mill (66/1), Farne Island (250/1), Couldntgivamonkeys (300/1)

GEGE VILLE created a good impression when landing a C&D bumper on his debut 11 months ago and is selected to maintain his unbeaten record on this switch to hurdling with his yard firmly amongst the winners. Benz ought to be very competitive under a penalty, while Ballabawn is a much-respected Rules newcomer having won his second outing in Irish points with a bit up his sleeve.