Happy New Year From Ayr Racecourse Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: 5m 27.68s

Cave Hill²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: G B Watters| T: I A Duncan

250/1

Limited in bumpers and showed nothing on his hurdling debut here 22 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 65-00

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Esprit Du Potier²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| BF| C

4/7

Dual course bumper winner who made a positive start to hurdling career when second on return at Kelso (2m, good to soft). Ran to a similar level when filling same spot here (2m) 22 days ago and has every chance of going one better, especially with the longer trip sure to suit.

Form: 2116-22

Hombre De Guerra²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111

7/2

Caught the eye when rattling home for second in a 2m novice hurdle here on reappearance. Not quite in same form when fourth back here (2m) last time but remains capable of better, especially now upped in distance.

Form: 85-24

Paddy's Milestone²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford

10/1

Unplaced sole outing in points but has shaped with some promise in a brace of 2m maiden hurdles and may do better now moving up in trip.

Form: 7-77

President Scottie²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards

5/1

Placed on 2 of his 3 bumper starts last season and made an encouraging debut in this sphere when third in 14-runner maiden at this course (2m) 22 days ago, staying on gradually under hands and heels. Sure to improve, especially now upped in trip.

Form: 533-3

Sattam²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

150/1

Showed fair form when in the frame all 3 starts in bumpers for D. K. Weld but was well held on hurdling/stable debut at this course 22 days ago.

Form: 42-30

Born To Sparkle²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Callum Bewley| T: R M Smith

300/1

Looked a hard ride when well held in a Newcastle bumper on debut and has been pulled up both starts over hurdles.

Form: 0-PP

Forecasts

Esprit Du Potier (4/7), Hombre De Guerra (7/2), President Scottie (5/1), Paddy's Milestone (10/1), Sattam (150/1), Cave Hill (250/1), Born To Sparkle (300/1)

A few promise to be suited by the step up in trip, but none more so than HOMBRE DE GUERRA, who caught the eye rattling home from an unpromising position on his hurdling debut here in early November. Esprit du Potier and President Scottie rate the principal threats.