14:00 Ayr

Thursday 22 December 2022

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Coral Bet Bundles Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:04 | Winning time: 5m 13.29s

Faron^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 12-1| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 126

80/1

Dual hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien this year and ended his time with that stable with a creditable second in a Ballinrobe handicap in August. However, he was beaten a long way out on sole start for Patrick Neville last month and since changed hands again.

Form: 41-P126

Lock's Corner^p,t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

17/2

Back on track returned to this sphere following a break, going close at Ludlow prior to scoring in decisive fashion at Catterick (19.3f). 7 lb rise looks manageable (has won off significantly higher marks than this over fences) and he's a major player.

Form: P6-2321

Gaius¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 121

12/1

Irish raider who landed back-to-back handicaps at Punchestown (20.7f) and Sligo (25.4f) in October. Good run of form came to a grinding halt last time, though, and he's probably a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: P31137

Eternally Yours⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 120| CD

10/3

Snapped a losing run stretching back almost 4 years (albeit she's stood very little racing in that time) when narrowly getting the better of Charm Offensive (winner since) over C&D last month. Remains feasibly treated up 4 lb and yard saddled the winner of this in 2020.

Form: 5323-41

Half Track¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 113| C

9/2

Winner of a novice event here last December but subsequently failed to progress in handicaps and returns to this sphere following a series of non-completions over fences.

Form: 134-UUP

Gold Emery³⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110

9/4

Point winner who made perfect start under Rules when off the mark in 17f Carlisle maiden hurdle back in February, staying on well. Likely to improve sent straight into a handicap on return and leading claims with this trip expected to suit.

Form: 8P11-

Rae Des Champs⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 108

7/2

Progressive last season, winning 2m handicap at Musselburgh in March and signing off with a good second in Kelso handicap (2m) 24 days later. Creditable reappearance fourth at Newcastle (2½m) and this 5-y-o remains with potential.

Form: 1/4412-4

Kalaharry²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 100| C

40/1

Has slipped to an attractive mark but last season was something of a washout and he hasn't shown any signs of a revival in 2 starts since returning to action in October.

Form: 3763-P0

Non-Runners

Wild Polly⁶⁷⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: R Dobbin J: Dylan Johnston

Forecasts

Gold Emery (9/4), Eternally Yours (10/3), Rae Des Champs (7/2), Half Track (9/2), Lock's Corner (17/2), Gaius (12/1), Wild Polly (12/1), Kalaharry (40/1), Faron (80/1)

There's plenty to like about GOLD EMERY, who looked promising when making a winning Rules debut in February and this former point winner can be expected to progress now that he moves up in trip for this handicap bow. Rae des Champs should come on for her reappearance spin at Newcastle and, like the selection, she is open to improvement. Locks Corner and Eternally Yours both enter calculations, too.