15:55 Ayr

Tuesday 14 February 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Spring Getaway At Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 16.07s

Apple Away⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113| D

4/1

Won mares' novice on Rules debut at Bangor and she hasn't done much wrong in 3 subsequent starts, just touched off upped to this trip on handicap bow at Haydock (soft) last time. 2 lb nudge fair enough and she should be in the mix.

Form: 41-1632

Hoganville³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 112| CD

4/1

Without a win for Paul Nolan in Ireland but much-improved for new yard this season, winning 3 on the bounce (including over this C&D) prior to finishing third off this mark at Wetherby (3m, soft). Solid each-way claims.

Form: 291113

Leostar⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 109

6/1

Dual hurdles winner in 2020/21 and shaped well following 19 months off when third on Kelso chase debut in November. Poor next time but latest effort back hurding (again at Kelso) was more like it and he's of strong interest here off an attractive mark.

Form: 812/347

Firth Of Forth⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 108

28/1

Hit the crossbar twice in maiden hurdles early last year but it was hard to draw any positives from his reappearance display at Kelso and

Form: 4722P-P

Colonel Manderson⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 107| D

50/1

Won 3m Southwell handicap hurdle last winter and runner-up on next 2 outings. However, he has failed to fire both starts so far this season and is probably best watched starting out for new connections here.

Form: 122-5P5

Lady Bowes^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 104

9/1

Fair bumper/maiden hurdle winner who has finished in the money on his last 3 completed starts, finding just one too good at Catterick (25.3f, heavy) last month. Remains on a fair mark up 2 lb and ought to make her presence felt.

Form: 632F-P2

Jet Legs¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 102

11/4

Belatedly built on promise shown in novice company when chasing home an in-form rival upped to 3m at Wetherby (soft) recently. Raised 3 lb for that but this 6-y-o probably has more to offer as a stayer and he needs considering.

Form: 2-46532

Skiddaw Tara^p,t⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes| OR: 102

80/1

Best effort since winning a 3m novice for Nicky Richards in 2020 when second in a 3-runner Catterick handicap on stable debut last February. Possibly needed the run on return there in November but opposable in any case.

Form: P4/852-4

Nights In Venice³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| OR: 98

7/1

Appeared to take a step forward on second run in handicap company when fourth of 12 over 22.7f at Kelso. However, he was well held at Wetherby 2 weeks later and the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 945-746

Tomorrow's Angel^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 92

40/1

Sole success over hurdles was gained almost 2 years ago and she's hard to warm to based on recent evidence.

Form: 2-66870

Non-Runners

Niceandeasy⁴⁶

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: N W Alexander J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Jet Legs (11/4), Apple Away (4/1), Hoganville (4/1), Leostar (6/1), Nights In Venice (7/1), Lady Bowes (9/1), Niceandeasy (10/1), Firth Of Forth (28/1), Tomorrow's Angel (40/1), Colonel Manderson (50/1), Skiddaw Tara (80/1)

LEOSTAR caught the eye returned to this sphere at Kelso at the end of December and, now 6 lb below his last winning mark, the 9-y-o gets the nod in this open-looking handicap. It's likely that he will have most to fear from Jet Legs, who took a significant step forward upped to this trip at Wetherby and may have further progress in him. Apple Away possesses a similar profile and is also accorded respect, along with Lady Bowes.