13:50 Ayr

Saturday 20 April 2024

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

CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 15.06s

Sharjah^t³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

7/1

Has come to chasing quite late but this dual Champion Hurdle second has taken well to it, winning a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October. Ran no sort of race in Golden Miller at the Cheltenham Festival last time but back down in class and opening mark in this sphere is a fair one. Trip could be an issue.

Form: 114349

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Marble Sands⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 147| C

9/1

Developed into a useful hurdler last term and has won 2 of 5 starts switched to fences this season (both under this rider), including a Musselburgh novices handicap (20.3f, good to soft). Ran to a fair level on Flat debut since and remains of interest back in this sphere. Excuses both starts at 3m.

Form: 56-14P1

Inch House^t1⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| BF| D

12/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles who has progressed well for switch to chasing, landing back-to-back handicaps at Newbury prior to a solid second at Cheltenham (25.2f). However, looked ungainly when disappointed at Newbury since so needs to bounce back. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 1-31124

Young Buster^p⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| BF| D

16/1

Won one of 4 starts over hurdles and has taken very well to chasing, completing hat-trick in a 5-runner handicap at Kelso (22.3f, heavy) over Christmas. Had winning run ended from a mark 21 lb higher than when it started when third a Doncaster yet still emerged with plenty of credit. This tougher.

Form: 14-1113

Mofasa^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

12/1

Dual hurdles winner for Michael Scudamore last term and positive start over fences for this yard, building on debut promise in this sphere when landing a 3m Huntingdon handicap in November. Disappointed both starts since, however, and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 30-2155

Special Rate^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 132| BF

25/1

Has enjoyed a most productive campaign over hurdles/fences, making it 7 wins from 8 starts this season in match at Kelso (23.4f, soft) 2 months ago, already in command when sole rival fell 2 out. Just respectable third there since but short break may have done him some good.

Form: 114113

Deeper Blue^p1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 132

7/1

Runner-up on 3 of his 4 starts in handicap chases since returning from a 12-month absence in October, including when proving his stamina at Newbury (23.4f) last time. First-time headgear could help and should be on the premises again.

Form: 1/6-2822

Abuffalosoldier^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128| D

12/1

Had a host of new variables (breathing operation and more positive ride in first-time cheekpieces) when opening chase account in fine style at Newbury (22.4f, soft) in January. However, never looked like getting away from his rivals off revised mark there next time and this even tougher.

Form: 752613

Montgomery²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 127| D

7/1

Lightly-raced winning hurdler for Christian Williams. Progressive sent chasing for his new yard, making it 3 from 3 in 5-runner handicap chase at Bangor (24.1f, heavy, 8/11) 28 days ago, well on top finish. This much more competitive but could well have more to give.

Form: 14-4111

Hitching Jacking^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| BF

9/1

Back-to-back winner of novice hurdles last season and stepped up on his low-key chase debut when third at Doncaster (20.5f, soft). Similar form when filling same position at Kempton (24f, good to soft) since but more needed in this deeper race.

Form: 125-533

Ballycoose^t1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 124| BF| C

11/1

Made a successful chase debut here (20.5f) in January and backed it up with a solid second of 5 in handicap chase over 2m here. Shaped as if still in good form here since (joined when bad mistake 3 out). Back up in trip. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 9/42124

Maclaine²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 124

13/2

Seemed suited by the step up in trip when off the mark over fences in impressive fashion at Newbury (22.4f, good to soft, 3/1) 29 days ago, travelling strongly. This much more competitive but he's still lightly raced so may progress further.

Form: 32-4251

Donny Boy^p1³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 123| D

10/1

Improved from a tentative performance on chase debut when only just failing in a 7-runner handicap at Newcastle (23.4f, good to soft) in December. However, failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts and steps up in class now. Headgear applied.

Form: 25-2243

Forecasts

Maclaine (13/2), Sharjah (7/1), Montgomery (7/1), Deeper Blue (7/1), Hitching Jacking (9/1), Marble Sands (9/1), Donny Boy (10/1), Ballycoose (11/1), Abuffalosoldier (12/1), Mofasa (12/1), Inch House (12/1), Young Buster (16/1), Special Rate (25/1)

An open affair with the vote going to MARBLE SANDS, who made it 2 from 2 for this rider at Musselburgh and still looks to be on a fair mark. Maclaine makes the shortlist given the manner of his stylish win at Newbury, while the classy Sharjah can make his presence felt down in class if his stamina holds up.