November 29 / 14.10 Ayr

14.10

Soft

Virgin Bet “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £1906.1
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal of a bumper/hurdle/point winner; market a good guide to what is expected of him on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Dino Bellagio

9st 10lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Donald McCain

Two-time bumper winner (soft/good) who made all in Flat handicaps on Tapeta (1m6f) and turf (2m, heavy) in the second half of last year; ended last season on a low note but he still has scope for further progress and needs watching in market on his return.

4/1

8th

8

(5)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:55 Haydock

Dino Bellagio

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Donald McCain

Two-time bumper winner (soft/good) who has made all in Flat handicaps this year at Southwell (2m, AW) and Chester (1m6f, heavy); he did it easily last time and, while the form perhaps shouldn't be taken at face value, a 6lb rise isn't overly harsh; could make another bold bid.

13/2

15/2

  • Place: £3.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth foal; closely related to French 2m hurdle winner Weetamoo and half-brother to French Flat/hurdle/chase winner Seduction; dam French 1m4f winner; interesting newcomer from an in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Esprit Du Potier

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist.

9/1

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Esprit Du Potier

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence.

9/2

Form: 3

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped quite well on debut when just over 15l-third at 14-1 in similar race at Aintree (2m1f, soft; wore a hood) despite racing wide; no hood this time; has a bit to find with runner-up Prontoanita.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

13:57 Perth

Lemoine

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

In the frame in his three bumpers; hurdle results have been going the wrong way (hooded last time, as on debut) but this is his handicap debut and it could be that he is of renewed interest; market may guide.

8/1

7th

6

5th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

16:30 Musselburgh

Lemoine

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: James Ewart

raced wide, didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 1st, never dangerous

16/1

7th

6

5th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

16:30 Musselburgh

Lemoine

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: James Ewart

In the frame in three bumpers and similar level of form in two hurdle races at Newcastle, last time fading late on after making the running; this sharper track may suit better.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 25,000euros; half-sister to Triumph winner Farclas; promising debut when runner-up at 8-1 at Aintree this month (2m1f, soft, Lemoine over 5l back in third); looks the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

5th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

19:10 Musselburgh

Prontoanita

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Fair bumper form but hasn't progressed over hurdles and was tailed off on her handicap debut at Kelso (2m2f, heavy); best watched for now.

8/1

7th

6

5th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

19:10 Musselburgh

Prontoanita

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

didn't always jump with fluency, always behind

8/1

6th

7

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

14:28 Kelso

Prontoanita

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

held up in last, not fluent 4th

15/2

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal of a mare who won over 1m3f on the Flat and over 2m5f over hurdles; stable's runners usually improve for a run
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

15:50 Sedgefield

Darjink

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Chris Grant

Dam won over 1m3f on the Flat and 2m5f over hurdles; 22-1 from 50-1, every chance in steadily bumper at Ayr (2m, soft) in November but ended up about 8l fifth of six; has some ability and should improve.

9/1

5th

2

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Ayr

Darjink

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Chris Grant

Sixth foal of a mare who won over 1m3f on the Flat and over 2m5f over hurdles; stable's runners usually improve for a run

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Home-bred; half-brother to a winning pointer out of a mare who won over 1m3f on the Flat and over 2m1f over hurdles; tongue tied for debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th May 2026

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Beat The Retreat

11st 8lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won two of his last four, accounting for Snow Dragon at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft; from 4lb lower) in February; the snag is that the other two efforts were laboured ones, beaten 28l into fourth over 2m here (good) three weeks ago; this longer trip can assist.

8/1

4th

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Beat The Retreat

11st 6lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Inconsistent but won at Ayr (2m3f, heavy) in December and returned to form to win at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February on his latest start; ran well on good ground here last May and it's possible he'll cope with the drop back in trip; he can be in the shake-up if on another going day.

7/1

1st

5

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

16:50 Musselburgh

Beat The Retreat

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Three-time winner, most recently at Ayr (2m3f) on penultimate start; however, by no means certain to repeat that form, being far from consistent otherwise.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.70
Straight Forecast £27.46
Trifecta £60.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Prontoanita

The Times:

Dino Bellagio

Telegraph:

Lemoine

D Express:

Dino Bellagio

RP Ratings:

Prontoanita

POSTDATA:

Prontoanita

The Guardian:

Prontoanita

Daily Mail:

Prontoanita

Daily Mirror:

Prontoanita

The Sun:

Prontoanita

The Star:

Prontoanita

Daily Record:

Prontoanita