13:45 Ayr

Saturday 18 April 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:1516:48

CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 20y | 15 Runners | Turf

Califet En Vol¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| BF

9/1

Got off the mark over fences at Kempton in February but he made mistakes when only fourth of 7 in handicap chase at Kempton 35 days ago. Needs to bounce back. Engaged Ayr 3.30 Friday.

Form: 235147

Gamesters Guy⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 133| BF| D

14/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who landed a match at Doncaster in December but made mistakes (refitted tongue tie) when beaten in one at Haydock last time.

Form: 2-31522

Kdeux Saint Fray^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130

9/2

Got off the mark over fences at Cheltenham in November and fine efforts when in the frame after until only 12th in Jack Richards at the Festival when set a lot to do. Can bounce back here.

Form: F12430

Milcree³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 128| BF| C

14/1

Off 21 months before scoring on his chasing debut here in January and he followed up at Kelso (21f) in February. Pulled up in 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter last time though so needs to get back on track.

Form: 216/11P

Al Kalila^p1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 126| C

14/1

Has taken well to fences and bagged 4-runner handicap chase at Kelso (21f) in February. Back from a break now with cheekpieces added.

Form: 14-2331

Young Jack^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 125| D

14/1

Gained a deserved first success in this sphere in 4-runner handicap chase at Newcastle (23f) 35 days ago by 6 lengths from Caughtinyourtrance. Up 3 lb here though and this is tougher.

Form: 9-28221

Ayiko^t,p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 124| CD

22/1

A fairly useful 3m winner here over hurdles. Has failed to build on an encouraging start over fences though, cheekpieces tried when pulled up in 3m handicap at Fairyhouse 12 days ago.

Form: 3-U245P

Pounding Poet^v,t¹¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 124

20/1

Fared much better than previously over fences (in 2023) when third of 8 in 22f handicap chase at Newbury in December. Back from another break here

Form: 381253

Walking On Air^v1¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 123

16/1

Formerly very useful hurdler/chaser for Gary Brown. Best effort for present yard in first-time cheekpieces (tongue strap also refitted) when third in Great Yorkshire at Doncaster in January but has twice failed to back it up. Visor is tried now.

Form: 0P-83P2

Diamond Dealer^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

7/2

Made it 3-5 for his current yard this season in 10-runner handicap chase at Kelso (21f) 28 days ago, jumping well as usual and showing a good attitude. This likeable front-runner rates a big player once more.

Form: 6-11P21

Just Over Land^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 123

6/1

Better than ever this season, winning at Fontwell and Chepstow before Christmas. Posted a good third of 5 in Sandown handicap last time and needs considering now stepping back up in trip.

Form: P4-1143

Caughtinyourtrance^t,p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: James Moffatt| OR: 122| D

14/1

Fairly useful hurdles scorer who has made a positive start to his chase career, staying on into third at Uttoxeter last month. Not out of things with this return to further a plus.

Form: 62P623

I Wish You^p⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 120| D

9/1

Winning hurdler who improved on his third start over fences when landing novice handicap at Wetherby (3m) in February, looking suited by the soft ground conditions. That form has been boosted and he's much respected.

Form: 4-52431

Big John Wayne²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 119| D

15/2

Point winner hasn't stood much racing but built on earlier promise to get off the mark in 5-runner handicap chase at Hexham 24 days ago, suited by emphasis on stamina. Can do better still.

Form: 3F/2-531

Blakey Boy^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 112| CD

14/1

Improving young chaser who followed up C&D win in February with success in 6-runner handicap chase at Kelso (26f, good to soft) 28 days ago, again seeing his race out really well. Races off a 5 lb higher mark here (including 2 lb out of the handicap).

Form: 7F2211

Forecasts

Diamond Dealer (10/3), Just Over Land (9/2), Califet En Vol (7/1), Kdeux Saint Fray (8/1), Big John Wayne (10/1), Milcree (14/1), I Wish You (14/1), Al Kalila (14/1), Young Jack (14/1), Gamesters Guy (16/1), Blakey Boy (16/1), Ayiko (20/1), Caughtinyourtrance (20/1), Walking On Air (20/1), Pounding Poet (25/1)

Lots with chances but Dan Skelton continues to bang in the winners and his upwardly-mobile DIAMOND DEALER is fancied to defy a career-high mark and garner a fourth chasing victory of the season. Caughtinyourtrance could emerge as the main danger with this step back up in trip a positive, although Kdeux Saint Fray, Just Over Land and I Wish You all command plenty of respect too in this cracking handicap.