15:25 Ayr

Wednesday 9 November 2022

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

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:29 | Winning time: 5m 11.83s

Here Comes The Man²⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 102

18/1

Big-money buy following sole point win. Failed to meet expectations in a course bumper on debut and hasn't fared much better in 3 outings over hurdles. Makes handicap debut/return today and needs to show more.

Form: 1/6655-

Benito²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 101| D

6/1

Chepstow winner for Tom Lacey in April and added to his tally at Cartmel for Barbara Butterworth in June. Unlucky to bump into an improver after 3 months off at Carlisle just under 3 weeks ago so he holds leading claims today.

Form: 1-43122

The Jad Factor^t1²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 99| BF| D

5/1

Opened his account at Newcastle in March before runner-up in handicap at Kelso (22.7f) a month later. Similar form when fifth at Perth 3 weeks later and he's worth a market check making his reappearance with a first-time tongue tie on.

Form: 823125-

Keep Coming⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 96

40/1

Modest form in four bumpers for this trainer but failed to show a great deal in novice hurdles for Iain Jardine. Back with former handler for this handicap debut but will need to take a step forward.

Form: 8/44-445

Hard Iron¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 91| CD

5/6

Clearly well suited by a step up in trip when opening his account on handicap debut over C&D last month, well on top finish having been produced to lead run-in. Stable going through a fine spell and with better to come, he's one to keep firmly onside.

Form: 45-7661

Euchan Falls²⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 88

66/1

Lightly-raced maiden who failed to improve for the switch to handicaps when last seen at Carlisle back in February. Easy to look elsewhere on reappearance.

Form: 809769-

Ardera Cross^p³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 88| C| D

14/1

Dual 2m winner at this course over fences last winter. In and out this season, possibly still needing the run at Hexham last month and looks well enough handicapped to have a say reverted to the smaller obstacles today. Interesting back here (6 time course winner).

Form: 7-52435

Wotsmyname²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 87

22/1

Fair efforts when fifth at Newcastle and fourth over at Hexham on final 2 starts of last season. Resumes on a reduced mark for new yard and he's certainly not without each-way hope.

Form: 9P4654-

Economic Editor^t²⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 72

8/1

Left previous efforts behind on just his second start in handicaps when runner-up at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) in February. Failed to build on that back under less testing conditions and in first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle since and this outing should reveal where he's at.

Form: 90/P720-

Nordic Express²⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 53

150/1

Has no form in this sphere and impossible to fancy from long way out of the weights again on reappearance.

Form: 7809P8-

Forecasts

Hard Iron (5/6), The Jad Factor (5/1), Benito (6/1), Economic Editor (8/1), Ardera Cross (14/1), Here Comes The Man (18/1), Wotsmyname (22/1), Keep Coming (40/1), Euchan Falls (66/1), Nordic Express (150/1)

The Nicky Richards yard couldn't be in much better order so his unexposed 6-y-o HARD IRON gets the verdict to supplement his C&D success just over a fortnight ago. Second choice is Benito, who was unlucky to bump into an improver at Carlisle last month, while Ardera Cross looks well handicapped to have a say reverted back over the smaller obstacles so he rounds off the shortlist.