14:00 Ayr

Friday 10 March 2023

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Enjoy The Virgin Bet Raceday Tomorrow Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 7.67s

Dedanser^b,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101

6/1

Ended last term with success at Bangor and was back to form when third at Warwick 27 days ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 41-PP03

Limerick Leader^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 100| BF

9/2

Fair winner over hurdles who made an encouraging start over fences when third of 6 in handicap at Musselburgh, Disappointed there next time but return to hurdling should help.

Form: 9-03335

Hungry Tiger¹⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 98

12/1

Won at Newcastle last February and reached the frame 3 times during the summer. Well held after a lay-off at Catterick last time and has missed a further 102 days since,

Form: 26-3229

Robert Johnson²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 93

66/1

Modest maiden on the Flat. Similar level over hurdles last spring. Has changed yards since, though and was well held on the level last time.

Form: 34-0

Penthouse Poppet^p1¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: C A McBratney| OR: 90

22/1

100/1, sixth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (20.4f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Hard to recommend based on her Irish form but does have cheekpieces on for the first time.

Form: 0700P6

Something Golden²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 88

7/2

Creditable efforts since switched to handicaps and this longer trip promises to suit, so he's not without hope.

Form: 7U8563

Topkapi Star²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 86

8/1

Ended a long losing run in 4-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (23.9f, 15/8) in September. Hasn't fired since and this trip is short of her optimum.

Form: 35F179

Having A Barney^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 80

7/4

Posted best effort over hurdles when third of 16 in handicap at Wetherby (19.7f, soft) 43 days ago. Races off same mark and merits respect,

Form: 456P53

Non-Runners

Enemy At The Gate³⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: D W Whillans J: Henry Brooke

Blazing Port³⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Mount South²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: R T Dunne

Misscarlett⁹

Weight: 10-3| Age: 9

T: P A Kirby J: Thomas Dowson

Serious Mickey⁵⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

Having A Barney (7/4), Mount South (11/4), Something Golden (7/2), Limerick Leader (9/2), Dedanser (6/1), Topkapi Star (8/1), Misscarlett (8/1), Blazing Port (10/1), Hungry Tiger (12/1), Serious Mickey (20/1), Penthouse Poppet (22/1), Enemy At The Gate (33/1), Robert Johnson (66/1)

MOUNT SOUTH found improvement for a switch to handicaps when third at Uttoxeter last time and, with another step forward likely, he's preferred to Limerick Leader, who should benefit from a return to hurdling. Having A Barney is another one to consider.