14:55 Ayr

Monday 24 February 2025

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

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 5m 23.35s

Blakey Boy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Ewan Whillans

33/1

Has hinted at ability in 2 bumpers/hurdles but the chances are he won't be of real interest until handicapping.

Form: 3565

Highland Fashion³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan

13/2

Second on the last of 3 starts in bumpers. Better efforts in novice hurdles 8 months apart when 15 lengths third of 9 over 2m here 5 weeks ago. Place claims again with the step back up in trip likely to suit.

Form: 5/5-263

Ideal De Romay^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: L Kerr| OR: 67

150/1

Irish point winner but only a poor maiden under Rules and faces a very stiff task out of low-grade handicaps.

Form: 682P59

Marlacoo³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 112| BF

8/11

Bumper winner in Ireland and has shown fair form on all 3 completed starts over hurdles for Tom Lacey, on the latest 4 lengths second to a progressive sort in 2½m Sandown novice handicap (soft) 31 days ago. Hard to beat.

Form: 132F2

Orkney Blue³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107

10/3

Runner-up in a Hexham bumper for Toby Lawes last spring and has run to a fair level when reaching the frame on all 3 starts in maiden hurdles. Looks the chief threat to Marlacoo.

Form: 2-424

Mountain Molly³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

11/2

Point winner but who was only fifth when favourite for a Newcastle bumper last April and ran to only a modest level when filling the same position in a 2m course maiden hurdle 10 months later. This longer trip should suit. May do better.

Form: 15-5

Non-Runners

Auchinlek²³

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Jet Far³⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: S R B Crawford J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Marlacoo (8/11), Orkney Blue (10/3), Mountain Molly (11/2), Highland Fashion (13/2), Jet Far (20/1), Auchinlek (25/1), Blakey Boy (33/1), Ideal De Romay (150/1)

This looks a very good opportunity for MARLACOO to get off the mark over hurdles. Orkney Blue looks the obvious one for the forecast spot ahead of Highland Fashion.