December 04 / 14.30 Ayr

14.30

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 3f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 07-00

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

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

5th

10

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 150y

19:35 Downpatrick

Jimlis Cave

10st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: R K Watson

Sole hurdle win came here over 2m6f and his his best chase efforts have also been here; however, has been poor on last three starts and has to rebound in a big way.

16/1

11th

6

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

14:42 Downpatrick

Jimlis Cave

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: R K Watson

Sole win came here in a 2m6f handicap hurdle off this mark in 2024 (good to yielding); reverts to hurdles following poor efforts in his last two runs; won't want the ground too soft.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9-435

Last run: 163 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

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

5th

6

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Dance Thief

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: R Mike Smith

Won a five-runner handicap chase at Ayr in March (2m, soft) but well beaten both starts since (latest over hurdles); conditions suit; a possible.

14/1

10th

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Dance Thief

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have been here, a hurdle and two chases; over fences for his last three races and has been good and bad; others preferred.

33/1

9th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Dance Thief

11st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Pulled up on his return to fences but then beat three other finishers at Ayr (2m, soft) with Ben Smith claiming his 7lb; only 3lb higher but this is a deeper race.

8/1

Form: F6-32P

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

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

5

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:10 Newcastle

Gandhi Maker

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Noel Wilson

Lightly raced and generally disappointing since spring 2024, having been in a few different yards, but shaped quite well on debut for latest new trainer, in recent 2m1f hurdle, and reverts to chasing on tempting mark.

33/1

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Carlisle

Gandhi Maker

11st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: David Thompson

A fair winning chaser (at up to 2m3f) for Stuart Coltherd but he came in last of 17 back hurdling at Doncaster (3m) on his final run for Rebecca Menzies in January; he starts out for another new yard now with plenty to prove.

25/1

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Carlisle

Gandhi Maker

11st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: David Thompson

soon disputed lead, led 2nd

25/1

Form: 08-6P BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

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

10

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

17:36 Perth

One Step Up

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in rear

25/1

10

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

17:36 Perth

One Step Up

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in rear

25/1

4

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

14:20 Hexham

One Step Up

11st 3lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

led, not fluent 7th

15/2

Form: /4232-

Last run: 495 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

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

7th

4

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Barney Stinson

11st 3lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Adam Nicol

prominent on outer

25/1

8th

5

25th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:10 Wetherby

Barney Stinson

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

0-15 but he returned from long absence last month and took step back in right direction on second start back, when fifth of 14 at Ayr (2m4f, heavy) last time; could be working his way back into form and he stays 3m; edging down the weights and has each-way possibilities.

25/1

5th

2

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Barney Stinson

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

0-14 over hurdles; understandably got tired on his return from 494 days off at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) last month, but he will need to step up a fair bit in order to take a hand.

10/1

Form: /5346-

Last run: 406 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

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

13

8th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

His mark continues to fall but this 7yo remains a maiden after 21 rules starts and recent evidence doesn't indicate a win is imminent.

25/1

10

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Toucan Sam

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Made it 0-20 under rules when pulled up over fences at Ayr last week; however, before that he posted two fair runs over hurdles (2m5f/2m) and shaped as though he would benefit from this longer trip; well treated on last spring's chase form; could appreciate the return to hurdling; interesting.

33/1

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 13lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

19-race maiden; placed in handicap, a couple of hunter chases and in two points last year; two fair runs over hurdles this term after wind surgery; well handicapped but others appeal more.

20/1

Form: 4/373-

Last run: 254 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 95

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

Form: 344484

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

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

9th

17

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Ballyquin Bay

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

He's on a competitive mark on last winter's form but has been pulled up on both starts this term and is now 0-17; not easy to fancy.

25/1

9th

17

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Ballyquin Bay

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

He's on a competitive mark on last winter's form but has been pulled up on both starts this term and is now 0-17; not easy to fancy.

25/1

7

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

13:00 Carlisle

Ballyquin Bay

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

in touch with leaders, hit 7th

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 0-0439

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

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

1st

2

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Gamigin

11st 13lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when runner-up at Down Royal (2m1, soft, 7-2 fav') in final start for Gary McGill in January; unfancied and well beaten in two runs for new yard; may go well back in 0-100 company now.

10/1

6th

4

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 165y

15:17 Downpatrick

Gamigin

11st 3lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January off 3lb lower; weak in the market for Ayr run last time, weakening quickly to finish last of six finishers; in the mix at his best.

9/2

6th

6

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Gamigin

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Noel C Kelly

Has won three times, including over C&D two years ago when trained by current handler, who has taken over once more after eight starts for Gary McGill; returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January and this Irish-trained challenger should be in the firing line.

7/2

Form: 2-9907

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

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

12

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:48 Market Rasen

Perfect Arch

10st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

0-31 over hurdles and 0-51 overall; has shown some bits and bobs of form this season and is suited by this C&D but still makes only limited appeal from 5lb out of the weights.

33/1

5th

8

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Wetherby

Perfect Arch

10st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

9yo who is a longstanding maiden and was pulled up here last time; he's hard to fancy.

20/1

16

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

13:55 Wetherby

Perfect Arch

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Simon West

Produced a couple of reasonable performances in the final third of last year but without threatening, and this 9yo is a longstanding maiden.

50/1

Form: 7-7547

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 84

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

11th

9

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

towards rear

9/1

0

11

5th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

14:30 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

She's a 16-race maiden but she ran well when second here (2m4f, good to soft) last month off a career-low mark (behind comfortable winner Lihyan who is due to run in the 1:55); back up 1lb today; might not be far away.

9/1

2nd

4

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:25 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

On dangerous mark but she's still a maiden after 15 starts and has an uninspiring record of 4937677547 in handicaps; others preferred.

9/1

Form: 744

Last run: 187 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 80

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

7th

10

20th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:15 Cartmel

Ambush Annie

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Runner-up on all three starts pointing in Ireland; best hurdles run when third at Ayr in January (2m4f, heavy) but modest run in a Kilbeggan mares' maiden last time (2m3f, good to yielding; rider said hung left throughout); a possible on chase debut.

6/1

8th

6

12th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 60y

16:25 Kilbeggan

Ambush Annie

10st 13lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Formerly with Neil Mulholland and okay efforts for current yard in Ayr handicaps last winter; good bit to find back in maiden company.

25/1

4th

14

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Ambush Annie

10st 12lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Formerly with Neil Mulholland; finished around 15l behind Beat The Retreat when third of 14 on stable/handicap debut here (2m2f, soft) 13 days ago; improvement needed, but the step back up in trip should suit and she is now 7lb better off; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: 87-08

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

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

5th

9

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Boyneside

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Barry Murtagh

0-10; runner-up at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in March 2024 but has failed to better that, beaten when falling late on at Hexham (2m) last time; a guessing game as to how he'll fare after wind surgery and 521 days off.

16/1

9

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

16:17 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Barry Murtagh

Placed in similar company at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) and Sedgefield (2m4f, soft); less productive on his last two appearances, with plenty of work to do in order to reverse course form with Huit Reflets; this drop back to 2m is certainly worth exploring; 5lb 'wrong'.

18/1

5th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:35 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Barry Murtagh

Second to one who went on to complete a four-timer at Sedgefield in March (2m4f, soft); below that back at 2m last time (good, hung left); chance on that Sedgefield form.

6/1

Verdict

Dual chase winner Gandhi Maker went close off 5lb higher over fences on his penultimate run and is still unexposed in this sphere. He looks interesting back over hurdles but preference is for HIGH ROLLER, who ended last season with a promising third in a Kelso novice and is open to more progress at this new trip on his handicap debut. Stuart Crawford’s handicap newcomer Ambush Annie also enters the reckoning, while Barney Stinson needs a close look on his comeback.[David Moon]