14:25 Ayr

Monday 24 February 2025

All14:2514:5515:2516:0016:3517:10

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 42.24s

Senor Lombardy⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-2| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 112| BF| D

10/1

Veteran who performed with credit when second at Wetherby on first run under Rules since March 2022. That form looks solid so worth another chance after falling at the first at Kelso next time.

Form: 5/122-2F

Busty Boy⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: D Bourke| OR: 110| D

12/1

Multiple Irish point winner so no surprise he left hurdles form behind when making a winning chase debut at Kelso on return last season. Made the frame on next 5 starts but both efforts this winter have been poor after 7 months off.

Form: 422-2P6

Ballydisco^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| D

7/1

Losing run is mounting up and remains a maiden over fences, though went close in small field at Wetherby in November. Not beaten far when seventh at Doncaster last time but more needed to break his duck in this sphere.

Form: 5-2F247

Breeze Of Wind^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 103| D

7/2

Had an excellent debut season over fences for this yard, winning 4 times. Progress has come to halt this term but he's still been running respectably and mark is starting to ease.

Form: 144-445

Skyhill^t³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 99| CD

33/1

Veteran C&D winner who ended last season in a lull but bounced right back to best after 8 months off when winning at Kelso, switch to front running serving him well. Taken on for lead when only fourth at Catterick since but does look high enough in the weights now.

Form: 4584-14

So Many Roads^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 95| C

9/4

Made a winning handicap hurdle debut here in early-2023 but didn't manage to kick on last season. Decent return after 11 months off when third of 18 back back here last month but made an unpromising start over fences at Wetherby since.

Form: 6457-34

Don Brocco^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 87| CD

9/2

Dual hurdles winner who belatedly got off the mark in this sphere at Carlisle 3 weeks ago, making most with a bit in hand. Hit with an 8 lb rise for that success but still needs considering in current form.

Form: 5-656P1

Wotsmyname¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: L Kerr| OR: 77

8/1

Arrives in decent form having been placed at Newcastle and this C&D but up against it from 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 6/P9932

Non-Runners

Destiny Is All⁴⁹

Weight: 12-1| Age: 11

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Jack Power

Forecasts

So Many Roads (9/4), Breeze Of Wind (7/2), Don Brocco (9/2), Ballydisco (7/1), Wotsmyname (8/1), Destiny Is All (10/1), Senor Lombardy (10/1), Busty Boy (12/1), Skyhill (33/1)

This looks wide open but DON BROCCO won going away when breaking his duck over fences at Carlisle 3 weeks ago so may be able to defy an 8 lb rise. Senor Lombardy is worth another chance to build on his solid return to Rules having got no further than the first at Kelso next time. Breeze of The Wind is back on a winning mark and is another to consider.