17:00 Ayr

Friday 19 April 2024

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:3017:00

GS Group 'Hands & Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders) (Div 2)

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 5m 27.43s

Better Getalong³⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Ella McGarry⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 117| CD

22/1

Veteran sprang a surprise when scoring over C&D in December. Down the field both outings since though and others are easier to warm to.

Form: 45-4156

Glen Cannel^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 116| CD

5/2

Dual winner as a novice last season, including over C&D. Showed the benefit of his comeback return when third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (18.9f, soft) last month, likely to have been closer to a progressive pair in front if not for a late error. Player.

Form: 113P-33

Lihyan^h⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: William Maggs| T: R Menzies| OR: 114| D

10/3

Bounced back to form to record a first success for current connections at Musselburgh in December and shaped very well under an overly-patient ride when second in a 12-runner handicap there (19.8f, good to soft) 75 days ago. Mark raised 4 lb but he's of serious interest.

Form: 555122

Foveros²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss I M Oliver⁽⁵⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110

16/1

Placed in claimers at Leicester and Catterick 5 weeks apart but proved a major disappointing when folding tamely into fourth in a Wetherby seller (19.7f, heavy) 22 days ago. Winless since 2019 and others rate as more solid propositions overall.

Form: 736224

Presenting Nelly^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 104| D

5/1

Won mares' hurdles at Worcester (maiden) and Newton Abbot (novice) last summer and after an unsuccessful attempt at chasing, she looked back on song when fifth of 13 in handicap hurdle (14/1) at Warwick (21f, heavy) 40 days ago, the emphasis on stamina not playing to her strengths. Respected.

Form: 4116P5

Benefit Ben³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Turner| T: A M Thomson| OR: 101

9/1

Maiden Irish pointer took a sizeable step forward from his Rules debut when runner-up in a Sedgefield maiden in February. Not quite in same form when only sixth at Newcastle the following month but this longer trip will suit now handicapping.

Form: P5-2826

Seasett^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: P Hanlon⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 100

5/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and who left his previous hurdles efforts behind when taking a 19f Carlisle handicap (soft) last month. Found nothing when only fourth of 9 at Wincanton (21.4f, heavy, 11/2) 23 days ago, though, so has questions to answer for all he could remain on a decent mark.

Form: 409014

Castletown^v²⁴⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Power| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 95| BF| CD

12/1

Tricky character (resents use of whip) scored over fences at Perth in July. Not seen since the summer and others make greater appeal having a rare spin over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 2-43123

Non-Runners

Barrichello⁸⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: William Maggs

Forecasts

Glen Cannel (5/2), Lihyan (10/3), Presenting Nelly (5/1), Seasett (5/1), Benefit Ben (9/1), Castletown (12/1), Barrichello (14/1), Foveros (16/1), Better Getalong (22/1)

LIHYAN was given far too much ground to make up when runner-up at Musselburgh last time and he's fancied to go one better here. Glen Cannel chased home an unexposed pair at Haydock last time and is entitled to be in the mix on that effort, whilst the step up to an intermediate trip looks a positive move for handicap-newcomer Benefit Ben.