14:25 Ayr

Saturday 20 April 2024

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

Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 54.38s

Rubaud⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| CD

10/1

Has continued on an upward trajectory this term, bringing up the 4-timer in a C&D Grade 2 in November. Ran a rare poor race when last of five in the mud in Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last time but this C&D winner is very much the sort to bounce back after a break.

Form: 1-11245

First Street⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| DWS

11/1

Smart winning hurdler who is holding his form well this season, placed for the fourth consecutive start when third to Lossiemouth in International Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) 84 days ago. Since had a wind op and ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 08-3233

Westport Cove^h,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139| D

22/1

Debut hurdles winner at Thurles in November and took his form up a notch when third of 12 to Effernock Fizz in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 21 days ago. Not discounted for top yard.

Form: 1P24P3

Bialystok³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139| D

9/1

Useful on Flat in France and plenty of good efforts to his name over hurdles without winning this term. Only 15th in County at Cheltenham (16.8f, heavy) last time but no surprise to see him get back on track for leading stable.

Form: 7324B0

L'eau Du Sud^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| BF

11/4

Dual hurdles winner in France who has taken his form up a level of late with excellent second placings in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Up another 3 lb but he's still not taken lightly.

Form: 433-P22

Favour And Fortune³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 138| D

5/1

Landed the odds on his first 2 starts over hurdles and has shown very useful form since, posting a solid sixth of 11 to Slade Steel in Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, heavy) 39 days ago. Merits consideration on his handicap debut.

Form: 0-11226

Benson^p,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 137| D

66/1

Made it hurdle victory number 6 at Musselburgh on New Year's Day but his more recent form is far less encouraging, only 17th in Coral Cup at Cheltenham last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 441400

Effernock Fizz^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Carl Millar⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 132| D

33/1

Ended a long losing run in 12-runner handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 21 days ago, forging clear. Needs considering despite taking a 9 lb hike in the weights.

Form: 234931

Petit Tonnerre^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

28/1

Useful hurdler at his best who failed to score over fences this term and ran poorly tried visored back in this sphere at Cheltenham last time. Cheekpieces are reached for now.

Form: 7-24450

Afadil^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| CD

10/1

C&D winner who arrives in very good nick, coming in third of 19 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (16.5f, soft) 8 days ago. Can go well again off an unchanged mark.

Form: P33153

Cracking Rhapsody⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 127| D

11/1

Improving young hurdler who bagged his third win from five starts in 17-runner Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, soft) last month by 4½ lengths from Ginger Mail. 8 lb higher now but has more to offer. Big shout.

Form: 412211

Ginger Mail^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 126| CD

20/1

Consistent type who resumed winning ways at Kelso in January. Posted another very good effort when runner-up to Cracking Rhapsody in Morebattle Hurdle there last time so must enter calculations.

Form: P-20132

Florida Dreams⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 126| BF| CD

6/1

Landed maiden hurdle over C&D in December. Not disgraced when fifth in Aintree Grade 1 on Boxing Day and when third in 3m Musselburgh novice last time. No forlorn hope back in trip for his handicap bow.

Form: 11-3153

Salsada²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 120| C

20/1

Useful Flat winner who took a big step back in the right direction when third of 9 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (15.6f, good to soft) 21 days ago, best work at the finish. Weighted to go well off the same mark.

Form: 2/25-033

Alvaniy⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 120

50/1

Got off the mark in 2m maiden hurdle at Galway in September but has failed to build on it since, pulled up in Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 2-5146P

Forecasts

L'eau Du Sud (11/4), Favour And Fortune (5/1), Florida Dreams (6/1), Bialystok (9/1), Afadil (10/1), Rubaud (10/1), Cracking Rhapsody (11/1), First Street (11/1), Ginger Mail (20/1), Salsada (20/1), Westport Cove (22/1), Petit Tonnerre (28/1), Effernock Fizz (33/1), Alvaniy (50/1), Benson (66/1)

CRACKING RHAPSODY was very strong at the finish when landing Kelso's Morebattle Hurdle and Ewan Whillans' upwardly-mobile hurdler can make light of an 8 lb rise in the weights to complete a hat-trick. County Hurdle runner-up L'Eau du Sud must go well again and heads the list of dangers, while Salsada teed herself up well for this when a resurgent third at Newcastle and is also highly respected. Rubaud and First Street complete the shortlist in this highly competitive handicap.