15:20 Ayr

Monday 9 January 2023

All13:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:55

Watch Live On Racing TV Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 4m 20.76s

Fia Fuinidh¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 102

5/2

Placed on the second of 2 outings in Irish points and showed improved form over hurdles when third of 14 in a 2m Ayr maiden last month. Unexposed now switching to handicaps.

Form: P3-363

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Hashtag Lord^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 100

11/4

Placed in maiden hurdles at Newcastle in recent months, albeit beaten a fair way. His opening mark isn't obviously generous based on those efforts but he has Brian Hughes up and the stable won the race last year.

Form: 5-623

Fathers Advice^t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 95

5/1

Still looking for first success and isn't obviously closing in on it based on his recent efforts. Has a tongue tie refitted back from a short break. Yard has been quiet but did have a few run well here last week.

Form: 2-44457

Fortcanyon⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 95

11/1

Ran to fair level when fourth in Newcastle maiden last December but he's failed to make an impact in 3 subsequent starts (all at Kelso). Others are more obvious.

Form: 4/945-77

Kinnegad Lad⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Anna McGuinness⁽⁷⁾| T: S McConville| OR: 94| D

25/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. Down the field at Down Royal when last seen in November and this Irish raider is hard to make a good case for.

Form: PP0580

Agilulf⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 98

13/2

Fair maiden at best on Flat. Third in a pair of 2m Catterick juveniles in November and interesting now making a quick switch to handicap company.

Form: 33

Eden Mill¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 79

6/1

Only poor form in bumpers/over hurdles, including 2½m Newcastle handicap debut on Boxing Day.

Form: 475-056

Tarquin Stardust^t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 79

33/1

Shaped as if better for the run in a Wetherby bumper on debut in February but has shown little in 3 maiden/novice hurdles since. Tongue tie added now. Clearly more chance now handicapping at a low level but would need to see market support to consider.

Form: 66-PP

Non-Runners

Kilbrainy⁴⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Kilbrainy (9/4), Fia Fuinidh (5/2), Hashtag Lord (11/4), Fathers Advice (5/1), Eden Mill (6/1), Agilulf (13/2), Fortcanyon (11/1), Kinnegad Lad (25/1), Tarquin Stardust (33/1)

The Sandy Thomson/Ryan Mania combination can do little wrong at present and KILBRAINY stands a good chance of providing them with another win. Agiluf showed a clear aptitude for hurdling when third in a pair of Catterick juveniles and could have more to come in handicaps so he's a possible threat where few arrive with compelling claims. James Ewart won this race last year so Hashtag Lad also merits respect under Brian Hughes.