April 22 / 13.15 Ayr

13.15

Good To Soft

Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £22780
  • 2m 0f 110y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.10
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 2P1140 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race 12 months ago and better than ever this term, winning at Wetherby (soft) and Doncaster (good); has faced stiff tasks on his last two starts, well held in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham on latest; this is easier but he'll still need another career best to return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Malystic

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable.

8/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:13 Stratford

Malystic

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Peter Niven

On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected.

10/1

4th

3

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Malystic

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: -92129 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
In front of Malystic in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, good; second of four) and Grand Annual at Cheltenham on last two outings; below his best in the latter but a big field and soft ground may not have played to his strengths; this looks more suitable and he's high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Often a front-runner; has won on soft but seems ideally suited by good/good to soft; rallied gamely to beat odds-on Jonbon in the rescheduled Clarence House here in January, making it three wins from his last four starts; however, looks far from sure to confirm placings with that otherwise superior rival who blew his chance with a dodgy round of jumping; in great form this term but needs better still to land a Champion Chase.

25/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: -73122 D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Progressive since joining Henry Oliver, pulling clear with the winner at Southwell (2m, good to soft; evens favourite) five weeks ago; may have more in the tank, although he faces a higher calibre of rival here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Coastguard Station

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Good-ground specialist who was a course winner in 2024 and returns here after two good efforts this spring, the latter a close fourth at Aintree (2m4f, good) 16 days ago; respected.

3/1

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Coastguard Station

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground; bumped into the enigmatic Numitor on a good day at Hereford last month (2m5f) but this 10yo also struggles with his consistency; he's capable but risky enough.

10/1

2nd

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Coastguard Station

11st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground on which he beat the useful Mahons Glory by 8l at Market Rasen in September (2m5f); tailed off since then on either side of a 140-day break but those were strong handicaps; respected.

9/1

Form: 552641 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Gained the most notable of his nine successes in this event (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago; mostly disappointing since but he returned to form after wind surgery to score in clearcut style at Carlisle two weeks ago; still 1lb lower than for last year's win so has to be considered, although today's contest looks a fair bit stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

29th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Return Ticket

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Back in prime form when winning easily at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) last month, and his subsequent fourth in a good race at Ayr (2m, good) was perfectly respectable; claims on that evidence but needs to prove he can handle this track (pulled up in this race last year on only previous visit).

6/1

4th

5

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:15 Ayr

Return Ticket

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Gained the most notable of his nine successes in this event (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago; mostly disappointing since but he returned to form after wind surgery to score in clearcut style at Carlisle two weeks ago; still 1lb lower than for last year's win so has to be considered, although today's contest looks a fair bit stronger.

11/2

1st

2

8th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:40 Carlisle

Return Ticket

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

soon went second, led 2 out, went clear approaching last, easily

16/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 267324 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Better than the bare result when fourth of 13 at Aintree (2m, good; came from rear after early mistake) last week; that followed a good second at Warwick and suggests his current mark is still workable; has an impressive record (a win, a second and a third from three runs) at Ayr and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

18th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 3

14:25 Wetherby

Hasankey

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

in touch with leaders

7/1

5th

6

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:15 Ayr

Hasankey

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Better than the bare result when fourth of 13 at Aintree (2m, good; came from rear after early mistake) last week; that followed a good second at Warwick and suggests his current mark is still workable; has an impressive record (a win, a second and a third from three runs) at Ayr and should go well.

13/2

4th

11

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Hasankey

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Hat-trick at about this trip last midwinter (on heavy/soft) but in the meantime has all too often looked weighted to his best off similar marks to today's; others higher up the list.

12/1

Form: 146354 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Successful twice at Kelso in the autumn but more miss than hit since, finishing behind Pay The Piper when fourth of five at Doncaster seven weeks ago; now back below last winning mark but needs to rediscover his spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

5th

2

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

15:35 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 8lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, weakened 5 out

7/2

Form: 65-112 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Improving 6yo who won at Kempton (2m2f, good to soft) and Newbury (2m, good) in November and notched another personal best when second of nine at Ascot last time after a winter break; he's fresher than most and his yard laid one out for this race in 2019; big chance in first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

18:39 Plumpton

Frere DArmes

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm.

2/1

4th

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:25 Fakenham

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Lewis

T: Dan Skelton

He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now.

11/2

Form: 343125 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Tough, consistent performer who gained a deserved success at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) in February and was far from disgraced when fifth of 13 in the Red Rum at Aintree last week; however, that run did suggest the handicapper has his measure at present and others appeal more for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 7P5112 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Admirable veteran with eight course wins to his name, two of them this season, but he was last of the finishers in this race 12 months ago and again faces an uphill task from 22lb out of the weights.
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

Form: 512211 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Took 14 goes to get off the mark over fences but since then he's made hay; jumped well when scoring by a neck at Carlisle five weeks ago and he's only 1lb higher here, but he's in a much more competitive race and will need another jolt of improvement; due to run over 2m4f here on Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th, struggling 3 out, no chance when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up

9/4

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th

9/4

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Baron De Midleton

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

set good pace, led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, lost two places before 3 out, weakened and pulled up quickly before 2 out

8/1

Non-runners

Baron De Midleton

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.30
Straight Forecast £56.28
Tricast £445.58
Trifecta £355.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Frere D'Armes

TOPSPEED:

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WEST COUNTRY:

Elixir De Nutz

RP Ratings:

Frere D'Armes

The Times:

Frere D'Armes

Telegraph:

Frere D'Armes

The Guardian:

Frere D'Armes

Daily Mail:

Frere D'Armes

D Express:

Frere D'Armes

The Sun:

Frere D'Armes

Daily Record:

Frere D'Armes

Daily Mirror:

Elixir De Nutz

POSTDATA:

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The Star:

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