13:10 Ayr

Saturday 12 April 2025

All13:1013:4314:1514:5515:3516:1016:4517:20

Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 2.73s

Tommy's Oscar⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 151| CD

11/2

Very smart chaser who signed off last season with success in this race from a 1 lb higher mark. Respectable efforts first 3 starts this campaign and yet to be asked for his effort when unseating 3 out in Red Rum at Aintree last week. Fancied to be thereabouts.

Form: 41-334U

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Homme Public^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 140| D

13/2

Useful, 3-time winner over fences last season and back on the scoresheet over hurdles at Doncaster (16.3f) in December. Lines up here on the back of good runners-up efforts over fences/hurdles last month and he's worth a second look with blinkers back on in place of cheekpieces.

Form: 851622

The Other Mozzie^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 138| D

6/1

Firmly back on track in first-time cheekpieces when an easy winner of 7-runner handicap chase at Naas (2m) in January. Fared best of those held up when seventh in Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham (20.6f) 4 weeks ago and this rates a less demanding assignment.

Form: 01U617

Malystic^p1⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: P D Niven| OR: 137| CD

12/1

Veteran who was successful from 10 lb higher mark in this race 2 years ago. Resumed with a very good second at Kelso in October and whilst not in same form since, he may well sharpen up for last month's Doncaster effort. and his record in the spring is a solid one. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 3-2P5F6

Traprain Law^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 135| CD

5/1

C&D winner who ran a cracker when chasing home Tommy's Oscar in this race 12 months ago. Drawn a blank so far this term but far from disgraced in recent starts, seventh in last month's Grand Annual having helped force the pace. On a handy mark and shortlisted.

Form: 2-34437

Etalon^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| DWS

8/1

Rapid improver sent chasing last term, winning first 3 starts. Only the one real effort of note in handful of starts this season but undergone wind surgery following latest Kempton display 7 weeks ago and no surprise to see a better showing back at 2m with tongue tie refitted.

Form: 595U3P

Western Diego⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134| D

2/1

Lightly-raced winning hurdler who has shaped promisingly on 2 of his 3 starts over fences, going without usual hood when second of 6 in a Punchestown novice (2m, soft) 51 days ago. Interesting handicap debutant for his all-conquering stable.

Form: 513-462

Non-Runners

Asta La Pasta¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Western Diego (2/1), Traprain Law (5/1), Tommy's Oscar (11/2), The Other Mozzie (6/1), Homme Public (13/2), Etalon (8/1), Asta La Pasta (10/1), Malystic (12/1)

It evidently hasn't been plain sailing for Dan Skelton with ETALON this campaign, yet there where definite signs of a revival on his penultimate start at Sandown and, with a tongue strap refitted (also had a wind op) following a lesser run at Kempton, he could just be worth chancing to bounce back. Western Diego is sure to be popular on handicap debut and along with Traprain Law and Homme Public, heads up the dangers in a competitive opener.