November 29 / 14.40 Ayr

14.40

Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (Go North Monet’s Garden Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3267.6
  • 2m 4f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (Go North Monet’s Garden Series Qualifier)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

66/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 676-07

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Struggled when 100-1 for handicap hurdle debut in September and again when 50-1 for last month's chasing debut over C&D; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Lisloran

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won three times over fences in the 2022-23 season and well handicapped on that form; however, he struggled on his final two outings last term (hurdles/fences) and was pulled up over hurdles at Ayr on January 2 when back from an absence; others arrive with less to prove.

20/1

6

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Lisloran

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won three times over fences in the 2022-23 season and well handicapped on that form; however, he struggled on his final two outings last term (hurdles/fences) and was pulled up over hurdles at Ayr on January 2 when back from an absence; others arrive with less to prove.

20/1

8

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Lisloran

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Returns from an absence on a handy mark and having had wind surgery, and he's won here twice over fences; however, he was tailed off on his last two starts (hurdles/fences) and his best form has come in chases.

40/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 524356 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Six-time chase winner here (2m-2m5f; all soft or heavy); not one to rely upon nowadays and dropped out tamely after making the running over hurdles here three weeks ago but can't be ruled out off current chase mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Ardera Cross

10st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: William Young Jnr

Multiple course scorer but this veteran chaser has been pulled up on his last three runs, including over 2m here last time; hard to warm to.

50/1

4

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

Ardera Cross

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: William Young Jnr

led, headed 5 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out

25/1

4

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

Ardera Cross

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: William Young Jnr

led, headed 5 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out

25/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 9956-2

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Became rather disappointing over hurdles last season but stayed on well from poor position to take second (ahead of Spark Of Madness) on last month's chasing debut at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) and is sure to be suited by today's move back up in trip; still on a good mark; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

14

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:53 Uttoxeter

Bak Rocky

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Maiden who has been placed in handicaps at Kelso (2m1f) and Ayr (2m4f) since switched to chasing; form looks sound (the winners of those races have followed up since); holds sold claims off unchanged mark.

7/1

3rd

3

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Ayr

Bak Rocky

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Thomson

Became rather disappointing over hurdles last season but stayed on well from poor position to take second (ahead of Spark Of Madness) on last month's chasing debut at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) and is sure to be suited by today's move back up in trip; still on a good mark; must be considered.

7/2

2nd

6

22nd Oct 2022

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Bak Rocky

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

midfield, jumped badly right 1st, niggled along briefly after 4th, outpaced and pushed along in rear 4 out, keeping on but still plenty to do 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well and went third run-in, went second towards finish, no match for winner

16/1

Form: 5-1441 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
2-4 over fences, the latter win gained in four-runner race at Newcastle (2m4f, good) this month; only 2lb higher and ought to cope with the slower ground; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:20 Perth

Spark Of Madness

11st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Two fair efforts since being stepped up to 3m on last two starts, last time finishing nearly 8l fourth over C&D to stable companion Castletown (6lb worse off); each-way chance.

5/1

4th

2

6th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

16:18 Perth

Spark Of Madness

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Lucinda Russell

Chase wins over 2m here and 2m4f at Newcastle; this longer trip wasn't an issue when runner-up at Hexham (good) a month ago and he may have more to offer as a stayer.

4/1

2nd

3

3rd Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

15:30 Hexham

Spark Of Madness

11st 8lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Collected two small-field chase wins last season, the latter off today's mark at Newcastle (2m4f, good) in November; comes here after respectable fourth at Perth (2m4f, good) last month; a possible if suited by today's step up in trip.

7/1

Form: 2P-812 D

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Drew clear to open chasing account at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) in May and ran at least as well when second over that C&D (good) the following month; has fitness to prove after six-month break but remains unexposed over fences and today's slower ground should not be a problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

The Electrician

10st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

soon led, headed before 5th, soon lost position gradually

8/1

4

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

The Electrician

10st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

soon led, headed before 5th, soon lost position gradually

8/1

3rd

7

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

The Electrician

10st 13lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Ended a long losing over 2m5f here in May but he's twice failed to back it up, seventh at Cartmel (3m1f) following month; plenty more is required after a break.

10/1

Form: 3252-3 D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in Britain but ran well in two chases here (2m5f/2m4f) in cheekpieces in the spring; had another wind op (his third) during seven-month break; versatile regarding ground and will appreciate today's ease in grade; major player if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:30 Perth

Caboy

11st 1lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Off the mark in Britain when arriving late at Wetherby last month (2m5f, good); his Newcastle second (2m4f, heavy) off this 3lb higher mark was no backward step and this belated return to further shouldn't be too big an issue.

9/4

2nd

1

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

14:25 Newcastle

Caboy

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Quite consistent and off the mark in Britain at the 18th attempt when swooping late at Wetherby this month; 3lb rise neither here nor there and expert at completing but overall record suggests he may prove vulnerable.

6/4

1st

5

6th Mar 2023

Good

2m 5f 75y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Caboy

11st 3lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

10l runner-up at Kelso (2m5f, heavy) in January and occupied the same position at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; also effective on good ground; however, it looked to be a weak race last time and this 11yo is now 0-17 since arriving from France; may again find some others to be too good.

11/2

Form: 4P0-25 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Rallied well to take second on last month's seasonal debut at Hexham (2m3f, soft) but ought to have been suited by the return to 3m when below form there since and has become a hard horse to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:30 Hexham

Asking For Answers

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

in touch with leaders

8/1

7th

7

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Ayr

Asking For Answers

10st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Rallied well to take second on last month's seasonal debut at Hexham (2m3f, soft) but ought to have been suited by the return to 3m when below form there since and has become a hard horse to predict.

16/1

5th

9

4th Nov 2022

Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

13:48 Hexham

Asking For Answers

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Martin Todhunter

Scoped dirty on first run back (Gipsy Lee Rose winner) from wind surgery; stuck on after making a mistake at the final fence on return to action here (2m4f; second) last month; 2lb higher, although that is still 10lb lower than when runner-up in this race 12 months ago; realistic chance.

13/2

Form: 6/033-

Last run: 278 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles when with Philip Kirby but placed twice on soft ground at start of this year (2m7f/3m3f) and it will be interesting to see what Laura Morgan can do with him over fences; cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Ayr

Diakosaint

10st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

0-8 over hurdles when with Philip Kirby but placed twice on soft ground at start of this year (2m7f/3m3f) and it will be interesting to see what Laura Morgan can do with him over fences; cheekpieces refitted.

7/1

33/1

Form: 76F-67

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two chases this autumn and now 0-8 overall; ran well to a point in first-time cheekpieces at Hexham (3m, soft) this month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but others have much more obvious claims; tried in blinkers this time; 9lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

in touch with leaders

50/1

7th

10

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

in touch with leaders

50/1

9

8th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

13:02 Hexham

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Ian Duncan

Form is largely poor; yet to finish in the first five.

50/1

Form: /0-P5P

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Yet to show any worthwhile form and makes no appeal from 12lb out of the handicap; sports first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Diamond Road

10st 2lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: Jean McGregor

Modest hurdler/chaser who is 11lb out of the handicap and would be a surprise winner.

50/1

11

24th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Diamond Road

10st 2lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: Jean McGregor

Modest hurdler/chaser who is 11lb out of the handicap and would be a surprise winner.

50/1

6

30th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

16:50 Carlisle

Diamond Road

10st 2lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Jean McGregor

Struggled off lowly mark in Newcastle handicap chase on latest outing in November and is now 0-17 under all codes; 5lb out of the weights here; tongue-tie refitted; can't be recommended.

50/1

Form: 607876 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner but 0-5 over fences; out of form at both disciplines since returning from a break in September and 9lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Ayr

Old Jewry

10st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Daragh Bourke

Four-time hurdle winner but 0-5 over fences; out of form at both disciplines since returning from a break in September and 9lb out of the weights.

33/1

6th

11

17th Nov 2022

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Old Jewry

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Daragh Bourke

took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along after 5 out

25/1

7th

10

22nd Oct 2022

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Old Jewry

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Daragh Bourke

slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced when not fluent 9th, pushed along on inner after 3 out, ridden and weakened quickly after 2 out, tired jump last

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 77-P25 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who found one too strong but was clear of the others when heavily backed over C&D (good to soft) last month; reportedly finished lame when well beaten at Market Rasen 19 days ago (warm favourite again) but remains very much of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:10 Newcastle

Gandhi Maker

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Noel Wilson

Lightly raced and generally disappointing since spring 2024, having been in a few different yards, but shaped quite well on debut for latest new trainer, in recent 2m1f hurdle, and reverts to chasing on tempting mark.

33/1

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Carlisle

Gandhi Maker

11st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: David Thompson

A fair winning chaser (at up to 2m3f) for Stuart Coltherd but he came in last of 17 back hurdling at Doncaster (3m) on his final run for Rebecca Menzies in January; he starts out for another new yard now with plenty to prove.

25/1

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Carlisle

Gandhi Maker

11st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: David Thompson

soon disputed lead, led 2nd

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £103.90
Straight Forecast £71.37
Tricast £164.61
Trifecta £344.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Electrician

RP Ratings:

Bak Rocky

SPOTLIGHT:

Gandhi Maker

POSTDATA:

Spark Of Madness

Telegraph:

Gandhi Maker

The Star:

Bak Rocky

Daily Record:

Bak Rocky

The Times:

The Electrician

The Guardian:

The Electrician

Daily Mail:

The Electrician

Daily Mirror:

The Electrician

The Sun:

The Electrician

D Express:

Spark Of Madness