April 17 / 17.15 Ayr

17.15

Soft

Jardine Utilities Race To Repair ‘Hands & Heels’ Handicap Hurdle (Conditional/Amateurs’) (RE Series)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Jardine Utilities Race To Repair ‘Hands & Heels’ Handicap Hurdle (Conditional/Amateurs’) (RE Series)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 857433

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Without a win since 2023 but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and ran surprisingly well over 3m last time at Wincanton when all his form is over shorter; goes on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Balboa

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Made the most of a reduced mark when justifying support and gaining a first win since 2023 when scoring at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; remains well treated on past form back up 6lb and likely to be in the mix again.

11/2

1st

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Balboa

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Seamus Mullins

Without a win since 2023 but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and ran surprisingly well over 3m last time at Wincanton when all his form is over shorter; goes on soft.

12/1

3rd

9

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Balboa

11st 9lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Seamus Mullins

Remote when third at Newbury (2m4f, soft) last month and remains winless since 2023; however, the form of his keeping-on fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) two starts ago has worked out well and he's too well handicapped to be ruled out on this first attempt at a staying trip.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 07412U BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Goes on all ground; unseated four out when favourite at Wincanton last time; had been in career-best form with a win at Wincanton (1m7f) and a second at Taunton (2m3f); even more needed here, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Thankyouandplease

11st 2lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Syd Hosie

Goes on all ground; unseated four out when favourite at Wincanton last time; had been in career-best form with a win at Wincanton (1m7f) and a second at Taunton (2m3f); even more needed here, however.

12/1

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Thankyouandplease

11st 12lb

J: O/Cdt Daisy White

T: Syd Hosie

In career-best form this month, winning from off the pace over C&D (good to soft) before running a big race in defeat at Taunton (2m3f, good); likely to give Daisy White a good spin on her first ride under rules.

5/4

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: -4P681

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
The first-time cheekpieces appeared to make a huge difference at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) where he jumped well in front and won unchallenged by just over 5l; 9lb higher in a higher grade but he arrives here a relative unknown quantity, especially over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Travis Wheatley

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Has done well both runs with cheekpieces, winning off a 9lb lower mark at Newcastle in January (2m1f, good to soft) before creditable third off this mark at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft); chance if as effective on this ground.

6/1

3rd

9

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Travis Wheatley

10st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Adam Nicol

The first-time cheekpieces appeared to make a huge difference at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) where he jumped well in front and won unchallenged by just over 5l; 9lb higher in a higher grade but he arrives here a relative unknown quantity, especially over this far.

8/1

1st

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Travis Wheatley

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Adam Nicol

11lb lower now than on handicap debut and he's shown enough for his new yard this term not to be ruled out entirely; headgear first time.

11/2

Form: -13293

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
His early-season form (2m3f-2m7f) offers encouragement off this mark; last two runs well below his best, though heavy ground was a feasible excuse the last time when a tongue-tie joined his regular cheekpieces; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Paso Doble

11st 12lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Paul Nicholls

His early-season form (2m3f-2m7f) offers encouragement off this mark; last two runs well below his best, though heavy ground was a feasible excuse the last time when a tongue-tie joined his regular cheekpieces; hard to rule out.

14/1

3rd

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

15:20 Fontwell

Paso Doble

11st 13lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Won here (extended 2m3f, good to soft) off just 2lb lower on his October reappearance; creditable placings when claimer ridden in six-runner races on his next two starts but was tailed off in a better race than this at Kempton last time; drops back down in grade with a tongue-tie joining his usual cheekpieces and he can't be ruled out.

5/1

4

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 3

15:45 Fontwell

Paso Doble

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Good second off today's mark on latest hurdling start at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January and is a contender if judged on that evidence but his chasing debut in April was disappointing and Harry Cobden has taken an outside ride in this race.

6/1

7/1

Form: 2-1339 D

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper for Paul Nicholls and added a 2m4f handicap at Perth in October (soft) on his first run for Olly Murphy; ran well afterwards over 2m5f, and 3m was perhaps too far when last seen three months ago; he could be handicapped on the high side but capable of having some say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Kap Boy

11st 13lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Won a bumper for Paul Nicholls and added a 2m4f handicap at Perth in October (soft) on his first run for Olly Murphy; ran well afterwards over 2m5f, and 3m was perhaps too far when last seen three months ago; he could be handicapped on the high side but capable of having some say.

7/1

9th

13

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Kap Boy

10st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Solid record (over 2m4f/2m5f) since joining new stable and switched to handicaps, winning at Perth then placed at Cheltenham and Kempton; has given the impression this new trip is worth exploring; in the mix.

9/1

2

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Kap Boy

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-4 over hurdles for Paul Nicholls last season but signed off for him with pretty good second in Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, soft) in April and might have more to offer in handicaps for Olly Murphy this term (same owner).

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 858411 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Ridden by Aamilah Aswat in his last five races; he's won the last two, though a 19l margin of victory at Newbury last time (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) provided the handicapper with the ammunition to hit him with a 10lb hike; he still rates a likely contender as a 6yo firmly on the up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Guchen

12st 2lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Ridden by Aamilah Aswat in his last five races; he's won the last two, though a 19l margin of victory at Newbury last time (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) provided the handicapper with the ammunition to hit him with a 10lb hike; he still rates a likely contender as a 6yo firmly on the up.

100/30

1st

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

Guchen

12st 2lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Scored under Aamilah Aswat at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) this month, drawing clear of the others with a progressive rival; 6lb higher here but, after only eight hurdle runs, further progress is possible; tongue-tie added.

4/1

1st

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Kempton

Guchen

11st 10lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Not yet off the mark but the step up to 3m didn't work for him last month and he was rarely far away over similar trips to today's in 2025 (on soft and good ground); probably needs some weight off his back though.

14/1

Form: 4871

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Had them well strung out in a 2m Southwell maiden (soft) in early March but that was a modest contest, for all that the second and third horses have won since, in low-grade races on the Flat and over hurdles; this 5yo may need to be on a sharp upward curve if he's to defy this initial mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Nice One Eric

11st 7lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Had them well strung out in a 2m Southwell maiden (soft) in early March but that was a modest contest, for all that the second and third horses have won since, in low-grade races on the Flat and over hurdles; this 5yo may need to be on a sharp upward curve if he's to defy this initial mark.

5/2

1st

5

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:15 Southwell

Nice One Eric

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made the frame in a bumper; only midfield in both attempts over hurdles but appears likely to fare better in this weaker contest; similar type to stablemate Collanisi and is one for the shortlist.

7/2

7th

11

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Nice One Eric

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Fourth in good-ground Worcester bumper on debut in October and also showed significant promise before weakening into seventh (just behind Harbour Island) in good Newbury maiden hurdle (2m, soft) in November; needs improvement over this longer trip but well worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind.

16/1

Form: -52225 CD

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of this 12 months ago when 10lb lower; has shown that he can deal with this high a mark and he goes well fresh, so a 75-day break after being below par last time is probably a good thing; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Summergrounds

11st 6lb

J: Mr Harvey James

T: Nicky Richards

Narrow winner of this 12 months ago when 10lb lower; has shown that he can deal with this high a mark and he goes well fresh, so a 75-day break after being below par last time is probably a good thing; respected.

12/1

Form: -60334 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Exposed five-time winner who ran perfectly well back from an absence at Carlisle but it's never ideal being 5lb out of the weights in this competitive a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Rickety Gate

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Pulled up on soft ground at Ayr last month but this race is much less competitive and the quicker surface ought to suit him better; made the frame on his previous three outings and has each-way claims at least.

8/1

10

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Rickety Gate

10st 2lb

J: Ella McGarry

T: Nicky Richards

Exposed five-time winner who ran perfectly well back from an absence at Carlisle but it's never ideal being 5lb out of the weights in this competitive a handicap.

16/1

4th

10

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Rickety Gate

10st 8lb

J: Ella McGarry

T: Nicky Richards

Absent since a couple of placed efforts in Class 5 in the autumn; back up in grade but he won a Class 4 contest over C&D last April and is nicely weighted.

7/1

Non-runners

Westoftignes

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.60
Straight Forecast £39.86
Tricast £306.72
Trifecta £340.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Westoftignes

The Times:

Guchen

TOPSPEED:

Balboa

The Sun:

Travis Wheatley

D Express:

Nice One Eric

RP RATINGS:

Kap Boy

Daily Mirror:

Westoftignes

Daily Record:

Westoftignes

The Guardian:

Guchen

Daily Mail:

Guchen

The Star:

Travis Wheatley

POSTDATA:

Balboa

Telegraph:

Balboa