13:50 Ayr

Monday 11 December 2023

All11:5012:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:20

Coral Racing Bet Bundles Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 15.04s

Rafferty's Return²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 124| D

3/1

3-time hurdle winner (at up to 21f) who showed benefit of reappearance run when 7 lengths third of 10 in handicap at Wetherby (19.7f) just over 3 weeks ago. Fallen 1 lb below last winning mark ahead of this and not discounted.

Form: 2454-53

Ballycoose²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 117| C

3/1

Course winner in December 2021 and shaped as if retaining all ability after 19 months off when fourth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy) just over 3 weeks ago. Sound each-way claims with that under his belt.

Form: 1P439/4

Grand Voyage³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 117| CD

10/1

Has been increasingly let down by his jumping over the larger obstacles. Easier underfoot conditions likely to help, so he's not discounted from this sort of mark back over hurdles.

Form: 4432-67

Better Getalong²¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 115| C

33/1

Followed Carlisle success in February 2022 with a string of creditable efforts in defeat, fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f, good to soft, 11/1) when last seen 7 months ago. May need this and has had plenty of chances off this sort of mark.

Form: 33/245-4

Guernesey¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 113

16/1

Generally consistent when trained by Philip Hobbs but disappointing in three outings for Joe Tizzard earlier this year. However, showed he retains plenty of ability on his first outing for this yard after 7 months off when second at Kelso (25.8f) recently and could build on that.

Form: 03627-2

Dunnet Head³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: I Jardine| OR: 110| C

11/4

Made a winning debut in a bumper at this track in October 2022 and came back from a breathing operation and a 9-month absence to justify favouritism on his handicap debut at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) just over 5 weeks ago. Capable of better still upped in trip.

Form: 142-1

Mack The Man²⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 110

12/1

Four-time winner over hurdles who stopped the slide to some extent when a well-beaten third at Taunton (16.5f, heavy) 9 months ago. Returns for a new yard (17,500 gns) having dropped to a very tempting mark so he's one to look out for.

Form: 75/5453-

Pavlik⁴⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 108

22/1

Stepped up on previous efforts and overcame a pace bias when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, good to soft) 13 months ago. Not seen since but has the potential for better.

Form: 44/F261-

Aurora Thunder⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Didn't quite look the force of old when going without a win last season, but after 4 months off she shaped with some encouragement when third at Perth (20.2f, heavy) in September. Down another 2 lb and she merits respect.

Form: 7043-53

Whelans Bridge⁴³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: R Dobbin| OR: 105

33/1

Showed ability in points and modest form over hurdles in 2022. Has a lengthy absence to overcome ahead of handicap debut but worthy of a market check with Hughes booked.

Form: 3152/3-

Milvale⁶⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 103

33/1

Only win to date came on handicap debut at Kelso (23f) almost 4 years ago. Marked dropped 7 lb since last seen 22 months ago but best watched given the absence.

Form: 345033/

Non-Runners

Voix Du Reve²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 11

T: I Jardine J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dunnet Head (11/4), Ballycoose (3/1), Rafferty's Return (3/1), Aurora Thunder (10/1), Grand Voyage (10/1), Mack The Man (12/1), Guernesey (16/1), Pavlik (22/1), Voix Du Reve (25/1), Better Getalong (33/1), Milvale (33/1), Whelans Bridge (33/1)

DUNNET HEAD left the impression the best of him is still yet to come when making a winning return/handicap debut at Carlisle just over 5 weeks, so Iain Jardine's 5-y-o looks the way to go at the expense of Mack The Man, who makes his first start for a new yard returning from 9 months off having tumbled in the weights. Rafferty's Return and Grand Voyage are another couple worthy of a mention.