14:10 Ayr

Wednesday 20 December 2023

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Merry Christmas From Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 5f 91y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   7 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:10  |   Winning time: 5m 38.45s
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Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Here Comes McCoyt28
Age: 8|  Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR:  115
7/2
Made an inauspicious start over fences but back on track quickly returned to hurdles when third at Market Rasen (23.1f) in February. Filled the same spot on both subsequent outings, shaping like he'd come on for the run at Warwick on return. Not discounted.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Mount Mellerayp416
Age: 8|  Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR:  115
25/1
Fair maiden hurdler who bettered that form in two outings over fences. Likely to need this return from over a year off, however.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Coral Bluet27
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D Bourke| OR:  106| C| D
20/1
Three-time winner last season, including at this course in February. Offered little on return at Newcastle and, while he may strip fitter for it, he needs a career best up in trip.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Nowinittowinitt120
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Stephen Connor(7)| T: S R B Crawford| OR:  105
18/1
Left previous form well behind when causing an 80/1 upset in Perth maiden (20.2f) in April. Followed up in 3-runner handicap there the following month and shaped as if better for run at Musselburgh after 6 months off. Has a tongue tie on now.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Ballin Bay21
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR:  99
7/4
Milan gelding who continued his progress when making a successful return at Kelso at the expense of Enemy At The Gate. Can do better still, so worth a chance to uphold the form with that rival.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Enemy At The Gate21
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D W Whillans| OR:  98| BF
3/1
Fair maiden hurdler who produced his best effort to date when second to Ballin Bay on reappearance. On better terms with that rival and should go well again.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Cream Of The West28
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR:  97
9/2
Runner-up completed start in Irish points back in October 2020 and offered something to work on each of his three outings over hurdles, third in a novice at Hexham last time. Handicapper has taken no chances with opening mark, however.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Ballin Bay (7/4), Enemy At The Gate (3/1), Here Comes McCoy (7/2), Cream Of The West (9/2), Nowinittowinit (18/1), Coral Blue (20/1), Mount Melleray (25/1)

Verdict

BALLIN BAY and Enemy At The Gate came clear of the remainder when dominating the finish at Kelso three weeks ago and they're taken to fill the first two positions again, with Pauline Robson's charge fancied to confirm that form.

Prize Money

1st: £5,624.002nd: £2,588.003rd: £1,294.004th: £648.005th: £323.00

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