13:50 Ayr

Friday 21 April 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Largs Ladies LWOB Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 59.30s

Rocky Man^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

12/1

French Flat winner who upped his game to open his hurdling account at the fourth attempt in a handicap at Wetherby in October. Even better effort when runner-up there since and cast aside a tame effort when third at Ascot 19 days ago. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 67-12P3

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Brandy Mcqueen³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 121| D

15/2

Has thrived in staying handicaps this term, gaining fourth success at Musselburgh in February. Rare poor effort when only seventh at Haydock but bounced back in a tough environment when seventh in the Pertemps last month.

Form: 221177

Imperial Merlin⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 121

7/1

Bumper winner and successful first 2 starts over hurdles, albeit helped by main rival running out at Newcastle. Didn't do a lot wrong in form terms despite failing to land the odds at Kelso in December and looked booked for second when falling latest. More needed form this mark up in trip.

Form: 21-112F

Twin Power^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

10/3

Progressed again when making a successful handicap debut at Sandown over 19.8f in February. Cracking second from revised mark over same C&D but a shade disappointing in a better race back there last month. Now tries a new trip.

Form: 3-22127

Prairie Wolf^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 118| BF

10/1

On the up since cheekpieces added, scoring at Catterick in January prior to a brace of excellent runner-up efforts. Could do with brushing up his jumping a touch but likely to stay 3m.

Form: 392122

Langdale Lane⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 115| C

11/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark in 9-runner maiden over 20.4f here in February. Winner has gone in since so he ought to be a factor again if as effective over this distance.

Form: 833471

Young Buster⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113| D

3/1

Aintree race he finished sixth in starting out for Fergal O'Brien in October worked out well and on the back of a breathing op, he made the most of an easier race at Ffos Las last month. Travelled strongly that day and may have more to offer. Up in trip.

Form: 4F/1-61

Swallows Song⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 110

9/2

Made a winning start in Sedgefield bumper in November. Cemented solid start to hurdles career when third on handicap debut over 22.7f at Kelso but this is a deeper race.

Form: 1323

Non-Runners

Atlanta Brave²⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: Kerry Lee J: R Patrick

Egbert⁶⁴

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: A King J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Young Buster (3/1), Twin Power (10/3), Swallows Song (9/2), Imperial Merlin (7/1), Brandy Mcqueen (15/2), Atlanta Brave (8/1), Prairie Wolf (10/1), Egbert (10/1), Langdale Lane (11/1), Rocky Man (12/1)

Most of these are tackling 3m for the first time with ATLANTA BRAVE probably the most likely to advance his form faced with this stiffer test of stamina given how he shaped at Newbury. This is very competitive, with Young Buster, Prairie Wolf and Twin Power a trio of potential threats.