16:58 Ayr

Friday 11 April 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:58

Jardine Utilities Race To Repair 'Hands & Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs)

Off time: 16:59 | Winning time: 5m 4.24s

Il Va De Soi^p⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Megan Fox⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| BF| D

9/1

Dual winner last season and shaped well on second start of this season, travelling fluently under a positive ride when runner-up behind a progressive sort at Sandown (19.8f, soft). Ran poorly at Wetherby latest but has been given time to get over that. No surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 211-528

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Balboa^p1⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Lewis Saunders| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117

10/1

Fairly useful juvenile ran creditably last time despite typically racing lazily, confirming his stamina for the longer trip when third at Wetherby (19.7f). No surprise to see him in first-time cheekpieces now. Not ruled if headgear has the desired effect following a short break.

Form: 2-25P63

Below The Radar²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Pritchard| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 116| D

10/3

Still looked raw when winning each of his 2 starts in novice hurdles but has proved a disappointment in handicaps this season. Did take a step in the right direction when fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f, soft) 27 days ago. Claims if he can build on that.

Form: 11-4474

Stylish Recruit¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Heidi Palin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 109

50/1

Irish point winner surpassed previous hurdling exploits when winning a 2m Hexham novice in June but things haven't gone to plan since, pulled-up on two starts over fences before racing too keenly to see out the longer trip reverted to hurdles at Newcastle (20.3f) last time. Bit to prove now.

Form: 5-41PP4

Dunnet Head^p1,t⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Oscar Palmer| T: I Jardine| OR: 106| C

16/1

Course winner ran creditably on reappearance when runner-up at Carlisle but hasn't built on that, likely unsuited by the drop back in trip when third in a chase at this course (16.5f) in January. Goes well fresh and could be an each-way player in first-time cheekpieces off his last winning mark.

Form: 84-2593

The Jeweller's Pet²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 103| CD

14/1

Lightly-raced sort had been progressing in handicaps, landing a double at this course, the most recent when making-all over C&D. Pulled-up when bidding for a hat-trick at Kelso last time, forceful tactics proving less effective in a stronger race. This looks a more realistic assignment.

Form: 60311P

Summergrounds²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Ella McGarry⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 102| D

11/1

Consistent sort hasn't been out of the frame in his last 6 starts over hurdles, including two victories, both of which came off the back of a break, latest after 4 months off when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (19.8f, good) 3 weeks ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 132321

Authorized Mission⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Dominic Hislop⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 102

28/1

Confirmed previous promise when landing a 22f Newcastle handicap in January, travelling well in a slowly-run affair. Not in the same form when fifth of 10 over 2½m at the same venue the following month. Capable of bouncing back following a short break.

Form: 692715

Galahad Threepwood²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Murray Dodd| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 101

22/1

On a long losing run but has been running creditably since the turn of the year, although seemed stretched by the longer trip when sixth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, soft) 20 days ago. On a fair handicap mark but yet to win over this far.

Form: 67-3436

Millyupdahilly^h,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr Kevin Healy⁽³⁾| T: Gerald Quinn| OR: 99

9/1

Respectable runners-up effort at Ayr (20.4f, soft) in February and matched the form the following month when fifth of 19 in handicap hurdle (7/1) at Down Royal (20f, good), although is reported to have bled. May have to settle for minor honours again.

Form: 65-725

Benefit Ben^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Power| T: A Nicol| OR: 98| BF| D

11/1

Made all to land a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield in February, justifying market support. Subsequently backed that up with two runners-up finishes barely 24 hours apart last month. Respected.

Form: 491022

Out Out⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Atkins| T: D Skelton| OR: 94| BF

11/4

Runner-up in a bumper on debut and confirmed that promise on second start in handicap company when second at Huntingdon (15.8f) last month, having been the subject of market support. Up 5 lb for that effort but remains unexposed over this longer trip. Lightly-raced sort makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 2-00742

Santa Clarita¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Smith| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 90| D

28/1

Ran best race for current yard when good second of 18 in a handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft) in January but posted a few underwhelming efforts since, including when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, good to soft, 16/1) 17 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 282P5P

Forecasts

Out Out (11/4), Below The Radar (10/3), Il Va De Soi (9/1), Millyupdahilly (9/1), Balboa (10/1), Summergrounds (11/1), Benefit Ben (11/1), The Jeweller's Pet (14/1), Dunnet Head (16/1), Galahad Threepwood (22/1), Authorized Mission (28/1), Santa Clarita (28/1), Stylish Recruit (50/1)

There may be more to come from the lightly-raced OUT OUT over this longer trip and he can go one better than last time. Il Va de Soi drops in grade and could have a say if bouncing back from a disappointing run, while Below The Radar isn't ruled out if building on a more encouraging effort at Uttoxeter last month.