February 14 / 14.45 Ayr

14.45

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Raceday Saturday 11 March Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4547.4
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Raceday Saturday 11 March Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.80
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7-8347

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Over 2l behind Halondo when fourth here (2m, heavy) last month but might be seen to better effect over today's longer trip and his subsequent 31l defeat at Navan came in a much better race than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Langdale Lane

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: R Mike Smith

Won a C&D maiden (good to soft) in February 2023 but he's had only five runs since and has been well held in last three completed starts; unseated over fences here last month and has plenty to prove back in this sphere.

16/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 45-532

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Placed on the last two of his three hurdling starts, more recently when second here (2m, heavy) six weeks ago; likely to be right in the thick of things if also suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Worcester

Halondo

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won over hurdles for Olly Murphy in 2023; made encouraging chasing debut in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when second to Jubilant at Southwell (3m3f, good) in May and there should be little between the pair here.

3/1

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:50 Southwell

Halondo

11st 8lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Hurdle winner for Olly Murphy in 2023; well beaten on consecutive starts for Harriet Dickin at start of this year and made low-key stable debut last month but sports first-time cheekpieces for this chasing debut and may yet come good for Dan Skelton.

7/1

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:50 Southwell

Halondo

11st 8lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Hurdle winner for Olly Murphy in 2023; well beaten on consecutive starts for Harriet Dickin at start of this year and made low-key stable debut last month but sports first-time cheekpieces for this chasing debut and may yet come good for Dan Skelton.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4 BF

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Donald McCain after 6l win on Irish point debut just under a year ago; disappointing favourite when well-held fourth in Bangor novice hurdle (2m3f, soft) in November but it would be foolish to write him off after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:53 Leicester

Haveanothergoflo

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent sort who was pulled up on sole chase start and beaten before the trip may have been an issue in 3m1f maiden hurdle in November; however, that run may have come too soon, 12 days after a promising comeback in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle, and this point winner is not written off.

14/1

5th

1

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:53 Leicester

Haveanothergoflo

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent sort who was pulled up on sole chase start and beaten before the trip may have been an issue in 3m1f maiden hurdle in November; however, that run may have come too soon, 12 days after a promising comeback in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle, and this point winner is not written off.

14/1

Form: 32

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close second on Irish point debut last spring and also placed on both rules starts, more recently when second on last month's hurdling debut at Newcastle (2m4f, soft); that form isn't anything to get too excited about but he has less to prove than some of these and is open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

12th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:30 Catterick

Had To Be Hugo

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

raced in last

11/2

0

10

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 3f 123y

Class 3

14:57 Market Rasen

Had To Be Hugo

10st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Lightly raced; well-beaten third on his chase debut at Kelso last month (2m7f) but then stayed on well for the same placing on his return there over hurdles (both runs in cheekpieces); looks a thorough stayer who might be helped by the new visor, but lack of chasing experience is a concern.

8/1

3rd

2

29th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Had To Be Hugo

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear after 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on run-in, went third inside final 110yds

3/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal from a dam who was placed on the Flat in France; pulled up in Irish point won by high-class novice hurdler Hermes Allen on debut in November 2021 and not seen again since but may yet have a good future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

13:43 Newcastle

Bryden

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Pulled up in sole point-to-point in November 2021 then absent until soundly beaten at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) 11 days ago; in good hands and is open to improvement, but a swift and sizeable step forward is needed here.

12/1

5th

1

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:45 Ayr

Bryden

11st 9lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Second foal from a dam who was placed on the Flat in France; pulled up in Irish point won by high-class novice hurdler Hermes Allen on debut in November 2021 and not seen again since but may yet have a good future.

16/1

Form: 42F-3U BF

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Placed in Listed juvenile hurdle in France in 2021 and also in three subsequent French chases; makes British debut after eight-month absence but market support will bring him into the equation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:38 Cartmel

Cuzco Du Mathan

11st 13lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Not in flying form earlier this year but all three career wins have been at Cartmel, the last two over fences; the concern is the conditions as he does enjoy significant cut underfoot.

6/1

4th

10

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Cuzco Du Mathan

10st 4lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

All three wins have been at Cartmel and he'll be of greater interest around there this summer; last to complete at Ayr in the race won by Dance Thief.

25/1

4th

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:07 Ayr

Cuzco Du Mathan

11st 1lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

All three wins have been at Cartmel; always behind on return from break at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) last month; sliding down the weights but hard to fancy.

12/1

Form: 2322/ BF

Last run: 666 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in all four bumpers during 2020-21 season and seems very versatile regarding ground; today's hurdling debut comes after a 666-day absence but he can play a leading role if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

19:30 Perth

Fly By Milan

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Off the mark over hurdles at just the second time of asking in 2m4f Hexham maiden in March; backed it up under a 7lb penalty with a solid second in 2m3f Carlisle novice the following month so this son of Milan needs considering now upped in trip on his handicap debut.

3/1

2nd

1

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

15:05 Carlisle

Fly By Milan

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Off the best part of two years before his hurdle debut fifth; all the sharper for that run when winning over 2m4f at Hexham (heavy) 23 days ago; more will be needed here but he did score pretty readily.

4/1

1st

1

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:10 Hexham

Fly By Milan

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

in touch with leaders, pushed along and headway after 2 out, made strong challenge approaching last, led run-in, soon edged right, readily

6/1

Form: 0-5

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in good-ground maiden point in spring 2021 but well beaten at triple-digit odds in two C&D hurdles this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

10th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Ayr

Guinness Village

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ian Duncan

Well beaten at triple-digit odds in three 2m4f maiden/novice hurdles here; moves up in trip today and makes handicap debut from a lowly mark; tongue-tie fitted; 4lb out of the weights.

33/1

4

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:45 Ayr

Guinness Village

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ian Duncan

Placed in good-ground maiden point in spring 2021 but well beaten at triple-digit odds in two C&D hurdles this season.

66/1

5th

3

2nd Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

12:45 Ayr

Guinness Village

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ian Duncan

Placed in a good-ground maiden point in spring 2021 but was tailed off at triple-digit odds when making rules debut over C&D the following November and hasn't raced again since.

100/1

Form: 5-6

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

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

4th

2

23rd Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:43 Southwell

Sea Prince

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

in touch with leaders, good jump 6th, not fluent 9th, outpaced after 4 out, dropped to last and lost touch 3 out

10/1

6th

4

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:30 Huntingdon

Sea Prince

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Ended a losing run back hurdling at Worcester (2m) in June but pulled up there 41 days ago; he reverts to fences now with a bit to prove.

25/1

5

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Worcester

Sea Prince

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Belated return to hurdling when scoring by a short head over C&D in June but failed to back that up when behind a couple of these at Uttoxeter; others appeal more.

12/1

Form: 90-

Last run: 455 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two course bumpers in autumn 2021 and makes hurdling debut after a long layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:30 Sedgefield

Alien Encounter

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Leonard Kerr

Well beaten at triple-figure odds in all four hurdles starts.

100/1

5th

5

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

12:50 Carlisle

Alien Encounter

10st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

Has shown very little across her five runs; cheekpieces go on.

100/1

7th

4

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Alien Encounter

11st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Leonard Kerr

Pulled up at huge odds in two maiden hurdles here last month (2m4f/2m3f); makes no appeal.

100/1

Form:

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled to get competitive when 33-1 for soft-ground Newcastle bumper on Boxing Day; can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:50 Perth

Born To Sparkle

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: R Mike Smith

Tailed off in sole bumper and pulled up at 300-1 on all three hurdle starts; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

200/1

3

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:50 Perth

Born To Sparkle

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: R Mike Smith

Tailed off in sole bumper and pulled up at 300-1 on all three hurdle starts; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

200/1

0

7

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

12:45 Ayr

Born To Sparkle

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

in rear, weakened and tailed off after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

100/1

Non-runners

Fly By Milan, Born To Sparkle

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.30
Straight Forecast £16.26
Trifecta £89.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Halondo

POSTDATA:

Had To Be Hugo

D Express:

Haveanothergoflo

The Star:

Fly By Milan

Daily Mirror:

Had To Be Hugo

Daily Record:

Had To Be Hugo

RP Ratings:

Halondo

The Times:

Halondo

Telegraph:

Halondo

The Guardian:

Halondo

Daily Mail:

Halondo

The Sun:

Halondo