April 17 / 16.43 Ayr

16.43

Soft

Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £8449.6
  • 3m 0f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 5-31 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Placed in a 3m point and she got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles in a mares' novice here (2m4f, soft) last month; did it nicely from a solid yardstick and she's from the family of Paisley Park, so could appreciate the step up in trip on handicap debut; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

15

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Society Soldier

10st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Placed in a 3m point and she got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles in a mares' novice here (2m4f, soft) last month; did it nicely from a solid yardstick and she's from the family of Paisley Park, so could appreciate the step up in trip on handicap debut; possible player.

12/1

1st

6

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Society Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thrice-raced mare who has two pieces of placed form (point/hurdle); reappearance effort, in 2m event at Ayr, suggests this step back up in distance will suit (pedigree confirms that impression); interesting with improvement plausible.

11/4

3rd

9

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:13 Ayr

Society Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Close third on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in April 2024, after which she was sold for £30,000; also showed ability when 20l fifth in maiden hurdle at Kelso (2m, good to soft; 40-1) that October on sole run for Nick Alexander; absent since and her best days probably lie over further, but she's not discounted each-way on this stable debut.

20/1

Form: 32F113 CD

Last run: 66 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Course specialist who won two in a row over C&D (heavy/soft) in January; he's better than he showed when 15l third over C&D (soft) in February and the subsequent break may have helped, but this 10yo may still be vulnerable back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Shoeshine Boy

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

Two wins on soft/heavy over 3m at Ayr last January; some fair efforts since; return to this trip should suit but best form on softer ground.

9/1

5th

17

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Shoeshine Boy

10st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Donald Whillans

Course specialist who won two in a row over C&D (heavy/soft) in January; he's better than he showed when 15l third over C&D (soft) in February and the subsequent break may have helped, but this 10yo may still be vulnerable back up in grade.

20/1

Form: 051P51 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Easily won a maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December and he tapped back into that promise to win a handicap at Wetherby (3m, good) three weeks ago on his stable debut; beat just five rivals last time but this 6yo is unexposed over staying trips and could be a contender up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Kent De Thaix

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Easily won a maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December and he tapped back into that promise to win a handicap at Wetherby (3m, good) three weeks ago on his stable debut; beat just five rivals last time but this 6yo is unexposed over staying trips and could be a contender up 4lb.

10/1

1st

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Kent De Thaix

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Successful twice in Irish points and once over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies; ran creditably at Kelso (2m6f) last time on handicap debut; market may offer further guidance in this first start for Sam England.

7/1

5th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Kent De Thaix

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two-time 3m point winner who built upon previous rules promise for easy win in maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December; pulled up at 33-1 in Grade 2 at Doncaster (3m, soft) since but today's handicap debut provides a far more realistic opportunity and he's not ruled out.

5/1

Form: 4-275P D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
His chase form has been mixed this season but he faced a tough task from out of the handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (pulled up); runner-up at Kempton (2m5f) in November on last hurdle start and he was second over fences at this meeting 12 months ago (3m); might not be a forlorn hope today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Eyed

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

His chase form has been mixed this season but he faced a tough task from out of the handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (pulled up); runner-up at Kempton (2m5f) in November on last hurdle start and he was second over fences at this meeting 12 months ago (3m); might not be a forlorn hope today.

25/1

22

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Eyed

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Hughie Morrison

9yo who was progressive last season, winning three times (2m5f/3m, good/good to soft); he didn't run badly when fifth at Ascot (3m, soft) in January last time but is 9lb out of the handicap today, so faces a tough task.

66/1

5th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Eyed

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Hughie Morrison

Form dipped last time but otherwise a consistent sort and may rebound; however, looks considerably more exposed than some of these rivals and possibly has nothing in hand off current mark.

14/1

Form: 045527 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent this season and down the field at Haydock a fortnight ago; however, he ran pretty well when runner-up at Doncaster two starts ago and is 2lb lower than when a close fourth of 13 in this race last year; if he's on song in a first-time tongue-tie he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

I Am Max

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Thomson

Inconsistent this season and down the field at Haydock a fortnight ago; however, he ran pretty well when runner-up at Doncaster two starts ago and is 2lb lower than when a close fourth of 13 in this race last year; if he's on song in a first-time tongue-tie he might not be far away.

16/1

7th

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

I Am Max

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sandy Thomson

Short-headed on his only start here; won a Hexham chase in October; hasn't done as well since, finishing runner-up to Jakar Du Moulin when returned to hurdling at Doncaster (3m) on latest start but he needs to build on that markedly; stable in good form.

16/1

2nd

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

I Am Max

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Won a Hexham novice handicap chase in October (2m4f); hasn't done as well since but reverts to hurdling off a feasible mark; this good ground suits and stable going well, so an interesting candidate.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-1679 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Below par on last three starts, most recently at Uttoxeter last month following wind surgery; however, he won off this mark on his reappearance at Aintree in November and first-time cheekpieces might give him a boost; in top hands and not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Hidden History

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Below par on last three starts, most recently at Uttoxeter last month following wind surgery; however, he won off this mark on his reappearance at Aintree in November and first-time cheekpieces might give him a boost; in top hands and not written off.

6/1

9th

16

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Hidden History

10st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Has switched to chasing this term, winning on reappearance but disappointing in two subsequent starts; had wind surgery since latest; may rebound, having won over hurdles on this card last year.

14/1

7th

6

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Hidden History

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 8yo who rallied to lead close home on seasonal/chase debut at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) in November; well below that form after racing too freely last month but Dan Skelton is evidently very keen to move him up in trip.

6/1

Form: 1-3322 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

24th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Kempton

Woodland Park

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

110,000euros 3yo; brother to 2m-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Some Dove, half-brother to three more winners including bumper and 2m3f/2m4f hurdle winner The West Awaits; dam bumper/2m4f hurdle winner; in-form stable has an excellent (21%) record in bumpers; high on the list.

7/1

Form: 5-1218

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in mid-division on last month's handicap debut in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft); however, that was a hot contest and this two-time novice hurdle winner (2m4f/2m5f, soft) retains potential, with the step up in trip a possible plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Draco Malfoy

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Soundly beaten in mid-division on last month's handicap debut in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft); however, that was a hot contest and this two-time novice hurdle winner (2m4f/2m5f, soft) retains potential, with the step up in trip a possible plus.

10/1

8th

7

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 178y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Draco Malfoy

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Good second to Get On George at Doncaster (2m3f, good) before landing the odds in a small field at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in January; probably needs a bit more on today's handicap debut.

14/1

1st

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

14:00 Hereford

Draco Malfoy

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Irish point winner; lacked the gears to win a bumper last term but made a perfect start to this discipline when successful at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) last month; no disgrace in finishing second of six finishers to a progressive type at Doncaster (2m3f, good) subsequently and should run well.

6/5

Form: 51-73P CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Tailed off (fences) and pulled up (hurdles) on his last two starts; a major turnaround is necessary but he runs off the same mark as when winning this race last year; not ruled out and the betting may be interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Billy Boi Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Pulled up on consecutive appearances towards end of last season but seemed to run well until tiring on soft ground at Ayr last time; could be better suited by the less-testing conditions here; not ruled out.

25/1

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Billy Boi Blue

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Tailed off (fences) and pulled up (hurdles) on his last two starts; a major turnaround is necessary but he runs off the same mark as when winning this race last year; not ruled out and the betting may be interesting.

14/1

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Billy Boi Blue

12st 0lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Ayr winner last April (3m, good to soft); disappointing both runs since, last time finishing well-beaten third of four back over fences; suited by good/good to soft ground.

7/1

Form: 6/1-30

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 8P0-P2

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Alentejo

11st 4lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Modest form in three Flat maidens for William Haggas in 2024; best watched on hurdles debut in first-time tongue-tie after huge layoff.

25/1

3rd

2

(3)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Alentejo

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

33/1

3rd

2

(3)

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Alentejo

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

33/1

Form: -6P644 C

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
0-8 since winning his first three starts in the 2023-24 season; still only six and he was a fairly encouraging fourth of 13 over C&D in January last time, but needs to build on that run if he's to threaten today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Rocheval

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

0-8 since winning his first three starts in the 2023-24 season; still only six and he was a fairly encouraging fourth of 13 over C&D in January last time, but needs to build on that run if he's to threaten today.

20/1

4th

2

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Rocheval

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Kicked off career with three wins (one of them here); 0-7 since but didn't run badly when 7l fourth of six in Class 2 at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) last month; drops back down in grade this afternoon and he's not discounted.

12/1

Form: 4327

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 4-414 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Point winner who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in February and was beaten only 4l when fourth on last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); unexposed and further improvement is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Hawthorn Street

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in February and was beaten only 4l when fourth on last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); unexposed and further improvement is possible.

15/2

4th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Hawthorn Street

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who won a maiden hurdle at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month on his third rules start; that form reads well and this unexposed 7yo could prove to be superior to his opening mark; yard in good form.

5/2

1st

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Hawthorn Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Very lightly raced 7yo; bought from the Irish point-to-point scene for £155,000; dropped away in Class 2 contest at Windsor (3m) on return from another layoff last time but looks open to progress back down in grade with the outing under his belt; interesting.

9/4

Form: 006065 D

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on staying form as recent as last March and it's possible the step back up in trip will be a positive; however, unable to pose a threat across his six runs this season and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Patriotik

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Very well handicapped on staying form as recent as last March and it's possible the step back up in trip will be a positive; however, unable to pose a threat across his six runs this season and has to raise his game.

25/1

5th

6

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Patriotik

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has had a disappointing season so far, beaten 26l+ on first four starts before a more encouraging front-running effort in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Ascot (2m3.5f, soft) nine days ago; 6lb lower than latest win last March and eased in class so hard to dismiss completely.

8/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Patriotik

10st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

In good form last spring but woeful in three runs this season, beaten at least 34l each time; perhaps cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but he's difficult to recommend unless strong in the market.

16/1

Non-runners

Whistle Stop Tour, Don Rafael

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £114.50
Straight Forecast £109.41
Tricast £688.46
Trifecta £1120.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Woodland Park

The Times:

Society Soldier

LAMBOURN:

Just Ennemi

SPOTLIGHT:

Irish Champ

POSTDATA:

I Am Max

The Star:

Rocheval

Telegraph:

Alentejo

D Express:

Patriotik

Daily Mail:

Hidden History

Daily Record:

Society Soldier

TOPSPEED:

Woodland Park

The Guardian:

Woodland Park

Daily Mirror:

Woodland Park

The Sun:

Woodland Park