15:30 Ayr

Friday 2 January 2026

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Golf Inn Prestwick For The Ayr Stayers Trophy Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 6m 16.87s

Ikarak^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

10/3

Bagged a couple of 25f Warwick handicaps last term and enhanced his fine strike-rate for the Olly Murphy yard with a 23f Lingfield success on reappearance in November, responding well. Sound-enough third at Sandown since but does now look summed up by current mark.

Form: P152-13

Whistle Stop Tour^p⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽¹⁰⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 127| CD

15/2

Progressed when winning back-to-back handicap chases at Kelso and Ayr (both at around 3m on deep ground) last season. More miss than hit since, but he's now 3 lb below the mark of his latest success and will be a danger to all if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 5P5-525

Authorized Mission²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 119| BF

13/8

Much improved when bolting up in a 21f Kelso handicap on his return for new yard in November. Raised 14 lb but confirmed he's on the up with a second to a fellow in-form rival at Kelso 4 weeks ago and 3m should be within range. Major claims.

Form: 7159-12

Baptism Of Fire³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: J K Hunter| OR: 113| D

300/1

Useful chase winner for Henry de Bromhead in 2022. However, was beaten by much more than lack of stamina on first start for current yard at Wetherby in February and fared no better at Haydock last month.

Form: 0125/P-P

Gaillimh A Stor^t,p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 113| C| DWS

33/1

It's now 14 runs since his sole win in 2022 and he fared no better than on return when pulled up at Kelso a month ago.

Form: 2P8P-9P

Highland Fashion^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: I A Duncan| OR: 112| D

7/2

Split a pair of subsequent graded novice hurdle winners on final start in bumpers. Shaped like a stayer several times in novice season over hurdles and upped to 23.7f, he showed improved form when making a winning handicap debut at Newcastle in November. Should be plenty more to come.

Form: 4324-61

Imaginary Dragon^p1⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR: 111

40/1

Fair hurdles winner who failed to convince over fences last season (lacks size). No surprise to see him back over hurdles for new yard on return but offered little in a 20.5f handicap here behind Follow Charlie in November. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 15/P2P-0

Follow Charlie^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 110| C

18/1

Gained reward for a series of good efforts when scoring at Perth in May. Not so good back there in the autumn but returned to form with a vengeance to win at over 20.5f here in November. Seen to good effect on that occasion and anchored by 7 lb rise at Kelso.

Form: 2-10618

Coconut Splash²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108| D

12/1

Useful chaser at his best but hard to win with. Shaped as if needing last month's return from an absence here (20.5f) in November but failed to even match that level at Kelso since.

Form: 432/P-66

Fostered Phil^t¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 104

22/1

Veteran who was picked up cheaply by current connections and backed at long odds when successful at Perth in September. Back on that winning mark despite a string of sound efforts and went in again at Carlisle 3 weeks ago (17f). Much depends on whether he sees this out.

Form: 133741

Non-Runners

Phantomofthepoints²⁴

Weight: 12-1| Age: 8

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Authorized Mission (13/8), Ikarak (10/3), Highland Fashion (7/2), Phantomofthepoints (5/1), Whistle Stop Tour (15/2), Coconut Splash (12/1), Follow Charlie (18/1), Fostered Phil (22/1), Gaillimh A Stor (33/1), Imaginary Dragon (40/1), Baptism Of Fire (300/1)

The step up in trip and switch to handicap company produced an improved display from HIGHLAND FASHION and totally unexposed as a stayer, he can defy a 4 lb rise. Authorized Mission has made an excellent start to life with Nicky Richards and he's a huge threat, with Whistle Stop Tour also of some interest.