16:00 Ayr

Monday 23 February 2026

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0016:30

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 100y | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 113| CD

2 wins from 5 runs this season, posting career best when taking 11-runner handicap hurdle over C&D (heavy) 25 days ago by 6 lengths from Eloi Du Puy. Raised 6 lb since but looks sure to make his presence felt again.

Form: 2-21341

Jericoacoara¹⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110

9/1

Useful in France and fared better than for a while when fifth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (25/1) in November, making headway before hampered and blundering at the last. Drops in grade and could be on the way back.

Form: 7430-05

Eloi Du Puy^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 110

15/2

Four-time winner of handicap hurdles at up to 21f during 2023/24 campaign. Not scored since but shaped better, in first-time cheekpieces, when creditable 6 lengths second of 11 to Diamond Geezer in handicap hurdle (11/1) over C&D (heavy) 25 days ago. Claims if building on that.

Form: F3-U552

Mountain Molly³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 107| D

9/1

Progressive over hurdles, going close on handicap bow at Perth (20.2f) in October. Things not gone to plan in 2 starts over fences but is feasibly treated back over the smaller obstacles here.

Form: 53-128F

The Navigator¹⁰⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 107| D

12/1

Won 3 times at up to 20.9f in late summer/autumn but not seen since below-par effort at Kelso in November and looks on a stiff mark.

Form: P13110

Balking³⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 105

14/1

Lightly-raced maiden who produced a personal best when very good second of 16 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) in January of last year. Not seen since, however, and is entitled to need this.

Form: 4/0592-

El Jefe^h,t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 105

14/1

Scored 5 times in 2023/24 season, culminating in a career-best display in an Aintree handicap. Struggled for form last season but has been shaping up well this term, latest when creditable fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f, heavy, 14/1) 10 days ago. Ought to give another good account.

Form: 0-32334

Nellie Bluesky²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 98| D

9/1

Left reappearance form well behind when close second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, soft) 29 days ago. Just 1 lb higher now and must enter calculations.

Form: 6/155-62

Go Frankie^p1²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 97

18/1

Lightly-raced maiden who was returning from 11 months off when ninth of 15 in novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 20 days ago. Remains to be seen if longer trip/first-time cheekpieces bring about improvement on handicap debut.

Form: 2F416-9

The Jeweller's Pet^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: I A Duncan| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Bagged this contest (off just 1 lb lower) 12 months ago and took a step back in right direction when good third of 9 in handicap hurdle over C&D (heavy) 13 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Respected.

Form: P84U43

Lights Go Down⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 107

7/2

Fair maiden at up to 1½m on the Flat who has progressed with each start over timber, latest when second of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Wetherby (16f, soft) 58 days ago. Tries longer trip on switch to handicapping and is one for shortlist.

Form: 232

Forecasts

Diamond Geezer (2/1), Nellie Bluesky (5/1), Balking (6/1), Lights Go Down (7/1), Eloi Du Puy (8/1), Mountain Molly (12/1), The Jeweller's Pet (14/1), Jericoacoara (16/1), The Navigator (16/1), El Jefe (16/1), Go Frankie (33/1)

LIGHTS GO DOWN is going the right way over hurdles and looks nicely treated on his handicap debut. He makes fair appeal. Nellie Bluesky and Diamond Geezer head the list of dangers.