14:20 Ayr

Friday 17 April 2026

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4317:15

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 16.71s

Pleasington^p1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 125| DWS

6/1

Fairly useful winning 2m hurdler but he's proved hit and miss over fences this season, pulled up at Newbury 7 weeks ago. Since undergone a breathing operation. Cheekpieces also added.

Form: 7-352FP

Throatlash⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| BF| D

6/1

Progressed very well to bag a hat-trick of handicap chases this season, latterly at Haydock in January. Didn't jump anywhere near so well though and already held when falling 3 out back there a month later. Could bounce back now freshened up, however.

Form: 3P-111F

Risk De Pluie^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 122| BF

7/2

Reliable sort who got off the mark in this sphere at Chepstow (19f) in February. Took his form up a notch when second of 5 in another 19f handicap there last month. Weighted to go well off an unchanged mark.

Form: 263212

The Grafter^t⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: S England| OR: 121| D

9/2

Has taken extremely well to fences this season and really impressed when making it 2-2 in 2m Newcastle handicaps 55 days ago. Hiked up 7 lb but this strong traveller has a fair bit more to offer. Big shout.

Form: 2225-11

Koukeo²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

11/1

Bagged a pair of 2m handicap chases at Windsor and Haydock in January but his form has tailed off, last of five in 2m Newbury handicap last time.

Form: 8-11375

Marty Mcfly^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119| D

4/1

Has thrived for switch to the larger obstacles this season, completing a four-timer in 2m Carlisle handicap last month. Up another 7 lb but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 741111

Stuntman Steve²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 119| D

16/1

A fairly useful 2m hurdles winner but there hasn't been much promise in his 4 starts over fences this season. This Irish challenger has plenty to prove.

Form: 007945

Ballyfort^h,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 106| CD

11/1

C&D winner in January and he got back on track when second of 5 in handicap chase over C&D last month. This rates tougher, however.

Form: 9-13162

Tanking Along^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Maggs⁽³⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 98| D

16/1

Improved model equipped with cheekpieces/tongue tie, scoring at Sedgefield over hurdles in November and fences in March. Jumped left and did too much too soon when sixth in 2m Carlisle handicap last time and not written off back on left-handed track despite being 8 lb "wrong" at the weights.

Form: 621416

Forecasts

Risk De Pluie (7/2), Marty Mcfly (4/1), The Grafter (9/2), Pleasington (6/1), Throatlash (6/1), Ballyfort (11/1), Koukeo (11/1), Tanking Along (16/1), Stuntman Steve (16/1)

THE GRAFTER created a really good impression when bagging a pair of Newcastle handicaps earlier this year and can make light of a 7 lb weights rise to maintain his unbeaten record in this sphere. Risk De Pluie figures on a good mark so should ensure Sam England's upwardly-mobile sort doesn't have things all his own way. Marty McFly and Throatlash can't be discounted either.