16:10 Ayr

Saturday 22 April 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Tennent's Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 5m 20.43s

J'Ai Froid^v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 134| C

9/1

Progressive hurdler earlier in his career but first spell over fences didn't really go to plan. Showed nothing back from a year off over timber at Ascot 3 weeks ago.

Form: 2/3548-0

Hunters Call^p⁴⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 130

13/2

Veteran who was a ready winner of a Bangor handicap on return last season and performed with credit when third in the same race on his return this time round. However, safely held back from a break twice since. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 53-2356

Glinger Flame^p⁵⁶⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125| C

16/1

Something of a Hexham specialist, gaining 4 of his 5 wins at that track and founf only one too good back there when last seen in October 2021. Well-being taken on trust but he's in very capable hands.

Form: 9/453S2-

Kihavah⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A Keatley| OR: 122

5/1

In winning form on the Flat last year and he resumed over timber with a good second of 12 in a competitive 2m handicap at Market Rasen in September. Back at that sort of level at Musselburgh in February but has stamina to prove over this far.

Form: 05-2FP3

Uhtred²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

11/2

Useful hurdler who ended time with Joseph O'Brien in good heart, successful in 19.3f beginners chase at Downpatrick in August. Hasn't made much of an impact for present connections but he does lurk on a dangerous mark as a result.

Form: 337P96

Serious Operator^t⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| D

6/5

Successful in 2 of his 3 starts in points and made a winning start over hurdles in likeable fashion at Kelso (20.9f) in October. Doubled tally under a penalty at Newcastle and this easier than the Grade 2 he contested in February.

Form: 61-1516

Curious Times^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: D E Mullins| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 114

20/1

Scored at Perth in September and best run since when third at Carlisle (17f) in November. Turned in a poor effort over 20.5f here last time though so needs to get back on track.

Form: 1003F0

Non-Runners

Hugos New Horse¹

Weight: 12-2| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Serious Operator (6/5), Hugos New Horse (2/1), Kihavah (5/1), Uhtred (11/2), Hunters Call (13/2), J'Ai Froid (9/1), Glinger Flame (16/1), Curious Times (20/1)

Despite having his winning run ended at Sandown last month, HUGOS NEW HORSE (also engaged here Friday) arguably improved when third in what was a deep handicap, and from the same mark, he makes plenty of appeal. Serious Operator is back at a more realistic level and is a big threat, with Uhtred one to monitor in the betting.