15:20 Ayr

Saturday 11 March 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 3m 51.51s

Gladiatorial^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 116

28/1

Fairly useful hurdler who came close to opening his account over fences at Kelso in October. Below par since though, including over hurdles the last twice.

Form: FU2950

Ginger Mail²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115| CD

13/8

Made winning return in 7-runner handicap over C&D on reappearance in October and back on track when second of 5 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, good to soft, 7/1) 22 days ago, clear of rest. Respected.

Form: U1-1352

Traprain Law^t⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114| D

5/4

Bounced back to pick of his French form for present yard in recent months, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts in Kelso novice (16.2f, heavy) in January, making all and eased final 50 yds. Fairly treated, back handicapping, and is one for the shortlist.

Form: P-24121

Faron^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 114

80/1

Dual hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien last year and ended his time with that stable when second in a Ballinrobe handicap in August. However, he was beaten a long way out on sole start for Patrick Neville and it has been a similar story on all 3 outings for current yard.

Form: 1267PP

Cave Court^t1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: N C Kelly| OR: 107

14/1

Very good second of 16 in handicap hurdle at Down Royal (17f) in December but ran poorly both starts since and has something to prove now. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 504200

Minella Youngy¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: I Jardine| OR: 106

11/1

Fair winning hurdler in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell but yet to trouble the judge in a trio of outings for current yard.

Form: 547580

Kilbrainy³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 104

7/1

Fair in bumpers and made a solid start to his handicap career over hurdles when second at Musselburgh (19.8f) in November. Ran too free over same C&D since, however, and remains a maiden after 9 attempts.

Form: 63F428

Non-Runners

Maimie's Magic³⁹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: S R B Crawford J: B S Hughes

Serious Ego³³

Weight: 10-5| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Traprain Law (5/4), Ginger Mail (13/8), Maimie's Magic (7/2), Kilbrainy (7/1), Serious Ego (8/1), Minella Youngy (11/1), Cave Court (14/1), Gladiatorial (28/1), Faron (80/1)

This can go to MAIMIE'S MAGIC, who overcame a pace bias when scoring at Newcastle last time and is likely capable of better yet. Traprain Law and Ginger Mail are feared most.