16:10 Ayr

Saturday 20 April 2024

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

Let Good Times Roll With Stagecoach Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 6m 15.56s

Doughmore Bay²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132| BF

8/1

Made a winning start under Rules in 2½m Worcester novice hurdle last May and has been runner-up in 3 of 4 subsequent starts, latest in handicap at Haydock (24.3f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago (went like the best at the weights but left vulnerable to a stayer played later). In the mix again.

Form: F-12722

Chosen Witness^h1,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

16/1

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who posted a career best when stylish winner of 16-runner maiden hurdle at Thurles last month. Ran at least as well in defeat sent handicapping when fourth at Cork (19f, heavy) recently and this Irish raider can take another step forward upped further in trip (and hooded).

Form: 4-05414

I Love My Baie²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 130| C

7/2

Likeable type who doubled his tally in 4-runner novice hurdle here in December. Proved to be a disappointment when tailed off in Grade 2 event at Doncaster a month later but resumed progress to make a winning handicap debut at Newbury (18.8f) 4 weeks ago. Hiked back up in trip.

Form: 123181

Welcom To Cartries⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| BF| D

9/2

Easy winner of sole start in Irish points and confirmed hurdling debut promise to get off the mark at Ascot (21.6f) in December. Unable to justify favouritism or, in truth, advance his form much when runner-up in Grade 2 River Don a month later and he's now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 1-212

Masaccio⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129

11/2

Bumper winner who returned from 6 months off to make a successful start over hurdles in a Chepstow maiden in October. Better form in defeat at Newbury since and completed a simple task back in a regular novice when scoring at Kempton (21f, soft) in February. Plenty to like on handicap debut.

Form: 27-1251

President Scottie³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 122| C| D

10/1

Has made a promising start over hurdles, making it third time lucky with wide-margin success in 17-runner maiden here (20.4f, heavy) in January. Made a winning handicap debut in an unorthodox event at Haydock (24.3f, soft) last month and remains with potential (type to make a chaser).

Form: 33-3211

Idem²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119

12/1

Made a bright start over hurdles, doubling his tally when impressively quickening clear under a hands-and-heels ride at Kelso in September. Just respectable fourth at Ascot next time but shaped well until coming to grief on return at Wetherby (21.2f, heavy) just over 3 weeks ago. This harder.

Form: 32-114F

Milcree¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 118

8/1

Won sole start in point bumpers with ease and has shaped well on first 2 starts over hurdles. Made the most of a good opportunity when easily landing 5-runner novice at Carlisle (19.3f, heavy) just under 2 weeks ago and now heads up in distance for his handicap debut.

Form: 1-321

Young Jack³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: C Grant| OR: 118| BF| D

14/1

Successful on second attempt in maiden points and promising second in a 2¾m novice at Newcastle before scoring over 2½m there in February. Not seen to best effect at that same course (16.9f, soft) 5 weeks ago and looks sure to be suited by this longer distance now handicapping.

Form: P-1213

Major Fortune⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 112

9/1

Proved a different proposition since he was upped in trip this term, completing a 5-timer with something in hand at Lingfield (heavy) just under 7 weeks ago. 11 lb rise to contend with, but he's firmly on the up so remains of plenty interest with the Skeltons going great guns.

Form: 511111

Forecasts

I Love My Baie (7/2), Welcom To Cartries (9/2), Masaccio (11/2), Milcree (8/1), Doughmore Bay (8/1), Major Fortune (9/1), President Scottie (10/1), Idem (12/1), Young Jack (14/1), Chosen Witness (16/1)

Several powerful yards represented but it's YOUNG JACK who is selected to come out on top having not been seen to best effect when third (a place behind Milcree) in a falsely-run novice at Newcastle 5 weeks ago. This step up in trip should be right up his street sent handicapping and he can get the better of Welcom To Cartries, who is yet to finish oustide the first two places. The prolific Major Fortune and Irish-raider Chosen Witness can fight out third.