February 26 / 15.35 Ayr

15.35

Heavy

Coral Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Coral Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3-9871

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Opened his account with a 25l success at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) last Monday, on handicap debut and second run for new yard; good chance under 7lb penalty, provided the form is repeated in this different scenario (longer distance, contrasting course and higher grade).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Eire Street

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Won two in a row in February 2024 and very well treated on that form, but pulled up/tailed off on his last three starts; a visor goes on.

20/1

8th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Eire Street

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Too risky when he's pulled up in four of his last five races and over two years since he last won.

25/1

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Eire Street

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jackie Stephen

Pulled up in three of his four races this season and didn't look an easy ride when he completed.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 343-43

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Consistent maiden who ran creditably at Newcastle (2m6f, heavy; second hurdles attempt) most recently, taking overall form figures to 34343; open to progress in handicaps; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Both Barrels

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Goes well here and won over the extended 2m6f (good to soft) just after Christmas; ridden less prominently when only sixth of ten at Haydock next time; may bounce back, although he remains on a career-high mark.

10/1

6th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Both Barrels

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

His form can be in and out but he's been progressive among the blips and was back on song when winning at Kelso (extended 2m6f, good to soft) 19 days ago; this trip may be within range and has a chance for in-form yard.

13/2

Form: 435220

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly last time, taking rules record to 0-7; twice a clear second in December, including at this venue (2m2f, soft), and has possibilities if bouncing back to that form.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 1-3313 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has shown respectable form at Musselburgh (soft) since upped to 2m4f, winning then creditable third; consistent sort who has solid claims off an unaltered mark; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

Form: 245-41 CD

Last run: 77 days

W: 12st 0lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Veteran who recorded a 33-1 success in C&D event (soft; back from break) 11 weeks ago; however, he's not an obvious type to follow up, being a 13yo who has scored just twice since 2018.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:00 Ayr

Better Getalong

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ella McGarry

T: Nicky Richards

disputed lead early, raced in second after 2nd, raced slightly wide with one circuit to go

14/1

Form: 411-6P CD

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Form dipped in Class 2 event at Aintree when last seen in December but still isn't fully exposed over hurdles and looks interesting back down in grade, being 2-2 in Class 4s (including soft-ground Ayr win).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Largy Shark

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

Two novice hurdle wins in 2022-23 season (including on soft) and he won a point (2m6f, good) last March; bang there when falling at final fence in a point in December; however, not discounted now back under rules.

11/2

5th

8

6th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Largy Shark

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

towards rear, headway 6th, went second before 7th, pressed leader when pecked on landing 3 out

33/1

5th

8

6th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Largy Shark

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

towards rear, headway 6th, went second before 7th, pressed leader when pecked on landing 3 out, weakened from 2 out

33/1

Form: 54426/

Last run: 741 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-8 overall; has some encouraging Ayr form but badly lacks recent match practice having been absent for two years; heed the market signals on belated return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:48 Perth

Fame Valley

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

Showed some fair form over hurdles without winning in 2021/22 but he's offered little on both runs back after a two-year absence; others make lots more appeal.

40/1

14th

1

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

14:18 Hexham

Fame Valley

12st 0lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Ian Duncan

Runner-up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m, heavy) in early 2022 but, following a long absence, struggled to get competitive over 2m4f there in February; off for another 118 days since; others have much less to prove.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.40
Straight Forecast £6.57
Trifecta £35.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Eire Street

POSTDATA:

Duyfken

Daily Record:

Both Barrels

TOPSPEED:

Dance Thief

SPOTLIGHT:

Largy Shark

Daily Mail:

Duyfken

The Times:

Eire Street

Telegraph:

Eire Street

The Guardian:

Eire Street

D Express:

Eire Street

Daily Mirror:

Eire Street

The Sun:

Eire Street

The Star:

Eire Street