April 21 / 13.50 Ayr

13.50

Good To Soft

Largs Ladies LWOB Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8449.6
  • 3m 0f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Largs Ladies LWOB Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1-112F

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m1f, good) who won easily on first two hurdle starts (2m3f/2m6f, soft/good to soft); hung badly left and was 1l behind when falling at final flight at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in February, but that was still a good run and this unexposed 6yo is not ruled out on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Imperial Merlin

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Imperial Merlin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1lb higher than for his Haydock win over a similar trip last March; does have a lot of weight though and was only fifth at Haydock last time, finishing just behind Gwennie May Star.

8/1

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Imperial Merlin

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: John & Sean Quinn

Not well handicapped but arrives here after a 3l second of eight at Uttoxeter when tried in cheekpieces (2m7f, good); no reason why he won't be involved once more.

6/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: -83471 C

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Built upon his previous promise when winning a 2m4f maiden here (good to soft) in February; that form has been boosted and he has potential off his handicap debut mark, while he wasn't stopping at the line so this longer trip may well be within range.
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

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -22127

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Goes up in trip and could do with settling better than when soundly beaten at Sandown (2m4f) last month; however, the heavy ground may have been too much and he was progressive there previously, with a win and a near-miss (both 2m4f on good to soft); his dam won at up to 3m and he could get back on track with a big performance for his top trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:50 Ayr

Twin Power

11st 8lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Paul Nicholls

Goes up in trip and could do with settling better than when soundly beaten at Sandown (2m4f) last month; however, the heavy ground may have been too much and he was progressive there previously, with a win and a near-miss (both 2m4f on good to soft); his dam won at up to 3m and he could get back on track with a big performance for his top trainer.

7/2

7th

12

11th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Twin Power

11st 0lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Paul Nicholls

Improved form in novice handicaps over C&D (good to soft) last month, beating Twinjets then head second to Inneston; evidently well suited by this track and trip; one of three solid-looking contenders for Paul Nicholls and should go well again.

14/1

2nd

8

16th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Twin Power

11st 6lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Paul Nicholls

Opened his account in similar event over C&D (good to soft; handicap debut) 12 days ago, reversing placings with a rival who had beaten him the time before; should improve further; solid claims.

5/1

Form: 4/61

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (soft) who, having had wind surgery, was a comfortable winner at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) last month on his second stable start; that wasn't a great race and this is a much tougher assignment, but he's bred to stay and his limitations may lie at a higher level than his opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

16:30 Warwick

Young Buster

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good) but that race fell apart and he faded to be beaten a long way at Uttoxeter two months ago (3m2f, good); needs to leave that run behind but he's not handicapped out of it.

11/2

8th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Young Buster

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good); the two other finishers perhaps ran below form but a 4lb rise could have been a lot worse.

9/2

Form: 2114

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Good-ground 3m point winner who won twice over hurdles in January (2m3f/2m5f, soft); soundly beaten fourth on last month's handicap debut at Newbury (2m3f, soft) but it was a warm race and he shaped as though he would benefit from this step up in trip; very lightly raced and he's a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Atlanta Brave

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Has become bitterly disappointing but handicapped accordingly and his third at Hereford was better (3m1f, good); cheekpieces are back on but they'd done little for him previously.

10/1

3rd

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Atlanta Brave

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Thrown in on his old form but last win was in January 2023 and he was out of sorts over fences and hurdles last year; has lots to prove back from a break and he's failed to complete in his last three chase runs.

8/1

6

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:58 Ffos Las

Atlanta Brave

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Kerry Lee

Dual novice hurdle winner at up to 2m5f (both soft); has struggled since finishing second in Newbury's Mandarin Chase in December 2023, sliding 19lb since; failed to complete in his two starts since wind surgery and returns to hurdles with a fair bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 7-12P3

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) on reappearance and back to form with fair third of 14 at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) recently; needs to prove his stamina today but top yard has excellent 10-33 record here in last five seasons (30%); could be a player in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rocky Man

11st 9lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

With a leading trainer and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; could get back on track at some stage and a market check is advised, but he's struggled on his three outings this season.

12/1

8th

3

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rocky Man

11st 9lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

With a leading trainer and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; could get back on track at some stage and a market check is advised, but he's struggled on his three outings this season.

12/1

2

12th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Rocky Man

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 6th, outpaced and dropped to rear after 3 out, pulled up after 2 out

11/4

Form: 221177 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who kicked off 2023 with two wins at Musselburgh (3m, soft/good) and he returned to form with a creditable seventh of 23 in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) last month; drops back down in grade off the same mark and can make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:02 Kelso

Brandy McQueen

12st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Won a similar event at Catterick in good style in March (3m1f, good) but pulled up at Hexham last time; needs to bounce back.

6/1

1

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Brandy McQueen

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Quite useful in his prime and he won a point in February (3m, good to soft) before easily following up in a hunter chase at Catterick last month (3m1f, good; Lunar Contact second); strong claims.

5/2

1st

6

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Brandy McQueen

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

One-time quite useful staying hurdler/chaser who won a point on second start for present connections last month (3m, good to soft); this tougher, but a contender.

13/2

Form: -23416

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper runner-up who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in January; soundly beaten sixth on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) in February but he's better than that and could appreciate today's step up in trip; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Egbert

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

C&D winner in December 2024 (heavy; won on good) and made it 2-2 here when beating three rivals over 3m4f (good to soft) on reappearance; the glaring concern is his nothing run at Exeter last time when in trouble a long way out.

15/2

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Egbert

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Christian Williams

Seen only once this season, winning four-runner Haydock chase (3m4f, good to soft) from the front on stable debut in December, but was nudged up only 2lb for that and should be fine on the quicker surface here; respected.

7/2

8

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Egbert

11st 3lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Won well over Haydock's extended 3m1f on heavy two runs back; has failed to complete in his two previous marathon chases and was on the retreat, though still in third, when crashing out at the final fence of the Eider (good to soft); can run well again but others might be better equipped to see this out stronger; new cheekpieces the headgear of choice today (effective in visor/blinkers).

20/1

Form: 392122 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Things have clicked since these cheekpieces went on, and February's win at Catterick (2m3f, good) has been followed by good seconds at Doncaster (2m3f, good) and Kelso (2m5f, good to soft); there's stamina in his pedigree and this progressive 6yo could have a part to play now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Prairie Wolf

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Northern runner who has looked as good as ever in winning two of his last three races, taking chase record to 6-18; did it quite readily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) latest; ran respectably at Newbury in November; likely player in current form.

5/1

1st

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Prairie Wolf

11st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

5-17 over fences and his win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day was up there with his best efforts; ran poorly at Cheltenham four weeks later but in the mix if bouncing back.

5/1

Form: 1323

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won his sole bumper (2m1f, soft) and has finished in the first three on his three hurdle starts, most recently third when upped in trip on handicap debut at Kelso (2m6f, good); he's very lightly raced and further improvement is possible, but necessary in what looks a warm race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Swallows Song

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

Close second at Newcastle (2m7f Class 5) last weekend but looks far from certain to go one better; out of the weights in this better race and 0-17 since debut win.

20/1

2nd

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Swallows Song

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Iain Jardine

Bumper winner; yet to win over jumps but fair fourth at Ayr last time (3m, soft) on first run after wind surgery; should go well again.

6/1

Non-runners

Atlanta Brave, Egbert

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £81.60
Straight Forecast £77.19
Tricast £303.86
Trifecta £370.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Young Buster

Daily Mail:

Atlanta Brave

WEST COUNTRY:

Twin Power

The Guardian:

Rocky Man

RP Ratings:

Swallows Song

The Times:

Imperial Merlin

TOPSPEED:

Brandy McQueen

D Express:

Atlanta Brave

Telegraph:

Twin Power

The Sun:

Rocky Man

POSTDATA:

Young Buster

Daily Mirror:

Young Buster

The Star:

Young Buster

Daily Record:

Young Buster