14:15 Ayr

Monday 1 December 2025

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:15

Festive Dining At Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 24.88s

Fostered Phil^t³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 100| BF| D

9/1

Veteran who was picked up cheaply by current connections and backed at long odds when successful at Perth in September. Shaped as if still in good form since and should remain competitive.

Form: 361337

Forest Blaze^p1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 99| BF| D

7/2

Twice a winner at Hexham last season. Trip too far on return but others look better handicapped now. Headgear on.

Form: 13714-5

So Many Roads^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: D W Whillans| OR: 93| C

11/4

Winless since handicap debut over a slightly longer trip here (heavy) in January 2023, though was running well before unseating 3 out on second chase start here in February. Looked rusty on C&D return last month and entitled to come on for that.

Form: 57/34U-7

Love That¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 85| D

18/1

Second in 21f Kelso novice hurdle a year ago but well held since, including over C&D on return.

Form: F2068-0

Beat The Retreat^t,p¹⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 85| C| D

20/1

Sharpened up by cheekpieces when winning Musselburgh handicap (2½m, good to soft) in February. Back on form in a change of headgear (visored) when second over C&D in May but well held both starts since. Off 5 months. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 175-208

Laddie Cooper Mia^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: A Nicol| OR: 78| BF

9/4

Made first impact over hurdles when fourth at Sedgefield on return/yard debut last month, looking ahead of her mark for most of the way (well backed). Of interest again.

Form: 26587-4

Rock N Roll Champ²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 77

12/1

Well held last 4 starts, including comeback run at Carlisle 3 weeks ago. Mark continues to slide at least (on good mark on pick of last season's form).

Form: P45-4P8

Flying Sandpiper²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 72

9/1

Has offered very little to date and likely flattered on return. 2 lb out of handicap.

Form: P8P/P0-4

Non-Runners

Cher Tara¹⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Laddie Cooper Mia (9/4), So Many Roads (11/4), Forest Blaze (7/2), Fostered Phil (9/1), Flying Sandpiper (9/1), Rock N Roll Champ (12/1), Love That (18/1), Beat The Retreat (20/1)

LADDIE COOPER MIA looked ahead of her mark for most of the way starting out for this yard at Sedgefield on return and is of strong interest here. Rock N Roll Champ is becoming well handicapped, while So Many Roads should come on for his return.