15:00 Ayr

Friday 21 April 2023

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

Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 6.65s

Saint Calvados^t⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

6/1

2020 Ryanair runner-up who opened account for Paul Nicholls in Grade 2 at Sandown (22.8f) in April. Hasn't fired in 3 runs this season but given a chance by the handicapper back down in class at least.

Form: P51-24P

Killer Clown^t⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| D

12/1

Dual handicap winner over 2½m last term. Ran well at Market Rasen on return but had a hard race that day and flopped next 2 starts 3 months apart. Bit to prove now.

Form: P10-35F

Richmond Lake³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 140| D

7/2

Successful twice over hurdles (runner up in Grade 2 here) and duly left chase debut form in his wake to score with plenty to spare at Wetherby (15f) in January. Creditable second behind another improver here (2m) before resuming winning ways at Haydock last month. Remains of interest.

Form: F0-6121

Bass Rock^t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 140| BF| CD

6/1

Useful hurdler who improved to make a winning chase debut in good style at Carlisle (2m) on return in November. Matched that when only narrowly denied in 19f Wetherby novice handicap next time but disappointed here since. Yard in better form now so could be worth another chance.

Form: 351-124

Baron De Midleton^b³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 134| D

12/1

Back to form in re-fitted blinkers, gaining a belated first success over fences at Newcastle. Coped really well with drop to 2m when going in again back at that venue before narrowly following up at Carlisle despite being 8 lb out of the handicap. Only 1 lb higher here after a 9 lb rise.

Form: 512211

Christopher Wood⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

7/2

Useful winning hurdler at his best and not at all disgraced given a second try over fences when runner-up in small fields over 2m at Hereford and Lingfield this winter. Opening mark in this sphere looks a fair one so considered back up in trip.

Form: 2260-22

Dubai Days^h³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 127| CD

3/1

Won trio of small-field handicap chases last term and comes here in good nick, resuming winning ways at Carlisle last month. Respected.

Form: 553231

Non-Runners

The Big Bite⁴⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: Henry Oliver J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dubai Days (3/1), Richmond Lake (7/2), Christopher Wood (7/2), The Big Bite (4/1), Saint Calvados (6/1), Bass Rock (6/1), Killer Clown (12/1), Baron De Midleton (12/1)

SAINT CALVADOS hasn't fired this season but he's becoming well handicapped and is down in class, so he could be worth taking a chance on, with improving novice Richmond Lake also respected having won 2 of his last 3 starts. Bass Rock's yard is in better form now and he's not dismissed.