13:20 Ayr

Monday 20 January 2025

All13:2013:5014:2014:5215:2716:02

Watch Racing TV For Free Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 4m 1.38s

Admiral Stewart^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| D

1/1

Second only start in bumpers and looked professional as he went one place better on hurdles bow at Ffos Las (15.8f) in November. May of found race coming too soon when pulled up in Sandown Grade 2 next time and he's worth another chance.

Form: 41-21P

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Bray Dale⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Bissett| D

300/1

Failed to come up to expectations in bumpers for Nicky Richards and no promise for current yard, looking badly in need of the run after 23 months off when pulled up in novice hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, soft) on hurdles bow 43 days ago.

Form: 17590/P

Burning It Up²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander

22/1

£35,000 4-y-o, Milan gelding. Third on only outing in Irish points and showed a bit in bumper/maiden hurdle at Kelso in recent months. However, he appeals as a likely longer-term project, including when tackling 2½m.

Form: 3-55

Highland Fashion²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan

20/1

Easily best of his three runs when second of 10 in bumper (50/1) at Kelso (16.2f, good) in May. Held back by inexperience when sixth of 9 in novice hurdle debut at Perth (20f) a month later and he's probably one for handicaps later on.

Form: 5/5-26

Jehol De Thaix²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards

7/2

Masked Marvel gelding. Showed plenty to work on when second in a Uttoxeter bumper (15.8f) in the summer and similar story after 7 months off when third on hurdles bow at Kelso (16.2f) in December, threatening briefly 2 out before staying on. Looks a sure-fire improver.

Form: 23

Jet To Vegas^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| BF

7/4

Easy winner sole outing in Irish points in May. Had breathing operation before shaping well when second in a Carlisle bumper in October and found only one too good both starts over hurdles, asked to make up plenty of ground for latest of them at Musselburgh 6 weeks ago. One to consider.

Form: 1222

Just Winging It³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith

300/1

Tailed off in a C&D bumper in October but did at least display minor promise on debut in this sphere despite finishing eleventh of 12 in a Carlisle novice (17f) 5 weeks ago. Still, he's probably only going to become of interest when tackling low-grade handicaps.

Form: 60

Rawhide Kid⁶⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd

50/1

Well Chosen gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser (3m-31f winner) Mr Vango. Placed on second of 2 starts in Irish points in early-2023 but this trip may be on the short side making Rules debut.

Form: F3/

Lunar Rocks⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R M Smith

400/1

Poor maiden on Flat (stays 1½m) who jumped ponderously and ultimately offered little when pulled up on hurdles bow at Musselburgh (15.5f) in November. Can only be watched.

Form: P

Non-Runners

Green Sky⁶⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: S R B Crawford J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Admiral Stewart (1/1), Jet To Vegas (7/4), Green Sky (7/4), Jehol De Thaix (7/2), Highland Fashion (20/1), Burning It Up (22/1), Rawhide Kid (50/1), Bray Dale (300/1), Just Winging It (300/1), Lunar Rocks (400/1)

JET TO VEGAS leaves the distinct impression he's open to further progress having filled the runner-up spot both starts over hurdles to date, and he's given the nod to go one place better here. Green Sky boasts greater experience than most and is a player provided she's sharp again in the jumping department. Admiral Stewart and Jehol de Thaix are others meriting consideration.