February 27 / 13.45 Ayr

13.45

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4409.63
  • 2m 3f 110y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.20
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 15-

Last run: 388 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked good when winning ordinary Ffos Las bumper (heavy) for Tom George and later ran to a similar level when fifth at Chepstow (soft); lacks recent run but is a jumper in the making and is not highly tried on hurdle debut for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 0y

13:42 Thurles

Blue Hop

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a bumper and three hurdle races when trained in Britain; not as good in two handicap chase starts in 2024; seemed to lose confidence when badly hampered at the fourth in a novice chase at Tramore five weeks ago on Irish debut; could be competitive off this mark; might prefer better ground.

9/2

19th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Blue Hop

11st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: B F Brookhouse

Won his third hurdle race at Wetherby (2m5f) last time; has won over this trip but stays 3m too; is in form so has to be taken seriously.

11/1

19th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Blue Hop

11st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: B F Brookhouse

Won his third hurdle race at Wetherby (2m5f) last time; has won over this trip but stays 3m too; is in form so has to be taken seriously.

11/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 322 BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Is not obviously progressing with racing but is a fair marker at this level over 2m4f and doesn't seem to have ground preferences; has more going for him than most and the tongue-tie could help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Saladam

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

10/1

4th

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Saladam

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost position before 2 out

10/1

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

18:15 Ffos Las

Saladam

11st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Olly Murphy

Had two wind ops on either side of winning a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen in April 2023; lightly raced since and it wasn't his first scruffy jump when falling on chase debut in November; others safer.

8/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4333 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; mostly running well without winning over hurdles and he didn't seem beaten by lack of stamina at Catterick recently (2m3f, good); steady enough without obvious scope for improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Fontwell

Hold Up La Colmine

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Looked far from a natural over fences so far, his easy Windsor victory last November coming despite mistakes; handed a 9lb rise for that and finished well held back at the same course when last seen two months ago; needs to put in a better round.

5/2

Form: 73

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never near leaders on hurdle debut but he played much more of a part when third at Wetherby (2m3f, good) 12 days ago; a further step forward is very much on the cards for a trainer who is having an excellent run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Breakdance Kid

10st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Three-time chase winner who enjoys good ground and returned to form with a solid third at Carlisle (3m); off the same mark he merits attention.

5/1

8

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Breakdance Kid

10st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Three-time chase winner who enjoys good ground and returned to form with a solid third at Carlisle (3m); off the same mark he merits attention.

5/1

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

Breakdance Kid

11st 11lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 2322/ BF

Last run: 679 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winless but quite proficient in bumpers two winters ago (beaten favourite three times) on ground ranging from heavy to good; is likely to have a future over hurdles but has been off since April 2021.
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: 3

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed once in four Irish points; signs of some ability when a remote third on bumper debut at Sedgefield but pedigree suggests he will come into his own when tackling longer distances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

16:00 Cartmel

Bells Express

11st 7lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

towards rear

10/1

6th

9

2nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:21 Cartmel

Bells Express

10st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: James Moffatt

Runner-up in a point but unable to threaten over hurdles, including on handicap debut over C&D in May; soundly beaten when fifth in first-time tongue-tie (retained) on his first chase start here on Friday.

16/1

5th

4

30th Jun 2023

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

15:05 Cartmel

Bells Express

11st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Maiden; dropped out of contention on last month's handicap hurdle debut, having made a lot of the running; tongue-strap fitted for chasing debut and always hard to rule out stable's runners here.

8/1

Form: 6

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
28-1, soon cried enough when last of six in a bumper here in January; goes hurdling with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Bollin Matilda

11st 6lb

J: Miss J Walton

T: Donald Whillans

Consistent mare who got off the mark for the season in a valuable race at Musselburgh last time (3m, good to soft); chance off this 4lb higher mark.

5/2

1st

14

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Bollin Matilda

10st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

She's 3lb out of the handicap but has been running well since December, twice going close over C&D (good to soft/soft); each-way possible.

10/1

2nd

4

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:47 Ayr

Bollin Matilda

10st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald Whillans

Made the frame on last three appearances, most recently when close/clear second to unexposed rival at Musselburgh (3m, soft; first-time tongue-tie) three weeks ago; nudged up only 2b for that; might be the answer.

6/4

Form: 20-3U

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart bumper form in May 2021; non-stayer over 2m4f on sole hurdle completion at Perth last May and pulled much too hard, though still in contention, when badly hampered and unseating two out at Down Royal last month (2m1f, soft); has potential if only he could settle better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

8th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

17:35 Carlisle

Bellaney Lord

11st 12lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

0-8 under rules but comes here after winning open point at Friars Haugh (2m4f, good to soft) by 12l on last month's reappearance outing and is evidently in very good nick; no surprise if he features.

100/30

4th

2

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 205y

Class 5

16:50 Stratford

Bellaney Lord

11st 12lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

Dual winning pointer over 2m4f, the latest an easy success at Alnwick (good to soft) 15 days ago; this will demand more but he can't be dismissed after that latest performance.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth foal; half-brother to bumper/2m4f hurdle winner Blazing Emily; dam bumper and smart 2m-2m6f hurdle/chase winner, closely related to 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Blazing Sonnet out of unraced half-sister to Danoli; the outing and experience may be needed on racecourse debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:45 Ayr

Blazing Shirocco

11st 9lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Fourth foal; half-brother to bumper/2m4f hurdle winner Blazing Emily; dam bumper and smart 2m-2m6f hurdle/chase winner, closely related to 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Blazing Sonnet out of unraced half-sister to Danoli; the outing and experience may be needed on racecourse debut.

7/1

Form: 64

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Needs to step up on maiden/novice hurdle form at about 2m (both runs on soft) as others have achieved more; handicaps the logical next step.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:39 Chepstow

Ffree Pedro

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in spring 2024 but, following a long absence, has been pulled up on all three starts under rules for new stable this season; has too much to prove.

50/1

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Ffree Pedro

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in May/June 2024 but then absent until this winter, and he's been pulled up over fences (50-1) then hurdles (33-1) on his two outings this season; a major turnaround is necessary.

11/1

6

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Ffree Pedro

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in 2024 but his rules form has been regressive and he ran poorly over fences on his reappearance/stable debut; blinkers on; carries clear risks.

14/1

Form: 90-P

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Still early days but has shown little in two bumpers and when pulled up on hurdle debut over 2m3f here this month.
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: 66P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Low-level form so far, in a bumper last May and novice/maiden hurdles this year; will have a better chance when handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Perth

Not In Kansas

10st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Ran respectably over 2m4f at Perth last month in a race she'd won a year earlier; capable of being involved but the return to 3m presents a question mark.

8/1

4th

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

21:00 Perth

Not In Kansas

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: N W Alexander

Best to forgive latest effort (finished lame); ran encouragingly in most recent attempt in this grade; successful in this race last year and warrants respect off a workable mark.

9/1

4th

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

21:00 Perth

Not In Kansas

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: N W Alexander

Best to forgive latest effort (finished lame); ran encouragingly in most recent attempt in this grade; successful in this race last year and warrants respect off a workable mark.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.30
Straight Forecast £8.86
Trifecta £33.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Saladam

WEST COUNTRY:

Hold Up La Colmine

Telegraph:

Blue Hop

The Star:

Bellaney Lord

RP Ratings:

Saladam

TOPSPEED:

Saladam

POSTDATA:

Saladam

The Times:

Saladam

The Guardian:

Saladam

Daily Mail:

Saladam

D Express:

Saladam

Daily Mirror:

Saladam

Daily Record:

Saladam