March 09 / 15.08 Ayr

15.08

Soft

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 352203

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Winning Scottish pointer; yet to win over hurdles but has been placed on three of his last four starts following a break, all over 2m2f plus; may find this trip on sharp side.
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

6/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 5410-6 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a Musselburgh handicap off this mark in March last year (1m7f, good to soft); has since mixed jump race with racing on the Flat; not quite at his best this year; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

12th

1

(3)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 21-613 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won a novice handicap over C&D in 2022 (soft); has since won three more races over hurdles, the last two mares' handicaps over 2m2f at Kelso; went up 8lb for latest win (December); others look better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

16:30 Kelso

Atlantic Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

10lb higher than for last year's win in this race but went in again over C&D in December when much too good for a subsequent winner; latest Ayr third also respectable and returning here has to be a bonus.

9/2

1st

1

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

16:30 Kelso

Atlantic Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

10lb higher than for last year's win in this race but went in again over C&D in December when much too good for a subsequent winner; latest Ayr third also respectable and returning here has to be a bonus.

9/2

3rd

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:08 Ayr

Atlantic Dancer

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won a novice handicap over C&D in 2022 (soft); has since won three more races over hurdles, the last two mares' handicaps over 2m2f at Kelso; went up 8lb for latest win (December); others look better treated.

8/1

Form: 3-1364 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won at Kelso last October (2m, good to soft); fair run next time, but has finished last on his two most recent starts; plenty to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:10 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three-time hurdle winner who has dropped to a mark 5lb lower than when winning on his chase debut last February; he may stage a revival at some stage but has struggled over fences/hurdles on his three runs this season.

50/1

10th

5

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Bois Guillbert

11st 12lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Returns to hurdles off a workable mark but, judged on his chase efforts this term, has a doubt over current form.

25/1

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Jumped okay when winning at Newcastle (chase debut) but lacked fluency when disappointing at Wetherby since; not sure what to expect.

10/1

Form: 131146 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Three wins, all on good to soft, this season, including over C&D; creditable sixth in a decent Musselburgh handicap last time (1m7f, good to soft); one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Park Annonciade

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Less contested lead than often the case when making it seventh time lucky over fences at Huntingdon last month (2m, good), and Stratford second off 6lb higher since consolidated that form; up another 1lb here but pace rivalry could prove more the issue.

11/4

2nd

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

16:53 Stratford

Park Annonciade

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Started off for Sarah Humphrey with two disappointing hurdle runs in the autumn but has turned things around over fences since, and kept on well to win by 7l at Huntingdon (2m, good) a fortnight ago; recent 6lb rise demands more from him here, though.

9/4

1st

5

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Park Annonciade

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

All three wins over hurdles when trained in Ireland; running well at present and second of five at Plumpton (2m1f, good to soft) last month; threatening to get his head in front for this yard.

5/1

Form: 3-18F7 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Perth in May (good); struggled a bit in handicaps since although a bad mistake two out cost him his chance at Musselburgh last time (1m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now so wouldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Perth

Bix Beiderbecke

11st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

in touch with leaders, headway to lead 3rd, headed when mistake 5th, soon lost position, dropped to rear 6th, lost touch 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

10/1

Form: 41127- CD

Last run: 350 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who won her first two races over hurdles last season (first was over C&D) and was a close second to an improver on third run (2m4f, good); hasn't been out since a below-par effort in the mares' final at Newbury in March 2023; interesting on second handicap start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Ruby Island

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

9yo who has been progressive during this first chasing campaign, winning twice (2m/2m4f, soft/good to soft); she's open to further improvement but it's necessary now back up in grade, and she needs to prove her stamina; soundly beaten over hurdles on sole previous run in these cheekpieces.

16/1

1st

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:45 Haydock

Ruby Island

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Has taken well to fences this term, a ready win at Ayr (about 2m, soft) in November preceding solid fourth of 15 in competitive 2m4f Cheltenham handicap (good to soft) the following month; creditable third in mares' Listed company last time and every chase she can notch a second win over fences, particularly if putting her jumping to good use.

10/11

OUR TIP

Form: 1321-5 D

Last run: 286 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won three handicaps at around 2m on good ground in 2022; not at his best on his only run in 2023 (May); had form on soft ground when in Ireland and could go well back after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Kerosine Light

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Triple hurdle winner in early part of 2022-23 season (2m-2m1f) but returned from layoff with heavy defeat last spring and again disappointed when back in action last month; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

33/1

9th

5

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Kerosine Light

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Triple hurdle winner in early part of 2022-23 season (2m-2m1f) but returned from layoff with heavy defeat last spring and again disappointed when back in action last month; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

33/1

1

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:08 Ayr

Kerosine Light

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won three handicaps at around 2m on good ground in 2022; not at his best on his only run in 2023 (May); had form on soft ground when in Ireland and could go well back after a break.

17/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.80
Straight Forecast £38.44
Tricast £366.89
Trifecta £239.10

Selections

Telegraph:

Park Annonciade

RP RATINGS:

Dance Thief

SPOTLIGHT:

Ruby Island

TOPSPEED:

Can't Stop Now

D Express:

Bois Guillbert

Daily Mirror:

Atlantic Dancer

Daily Mail:

Park Annonciade

The Star:

Park Annonciade

Daily Record:

Park Annonciade

The Times:

Dance Thief

The Guardian:

Dance Thief

THE NORTH:

Ruby Island

The Sun:

Ruby Island

POSTDATA:

Can't Stop Now