April 19 / 16.30 Ayr

16.30

Soft

GS Group “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals’/Amateur Riders’) (RE Series Finale) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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GS Group “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals’/Amateur Riders’) (RE Series Finale) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 658011 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won when upped in trip on last month's handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) and followed up at Wincanton (2m4f, soft); came miles clear with an unexposed, well-backed runner-up last time and a 10lb rise may not prevent another win from this progressive 5yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

15:20 Leicester

Plaisir Des Flos

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won five handicap hurdles on the bounce from last March onwards and has continued to hold his own, latterly behind a progressive winner at Bangor (2m7f, soft); had three months off prior to this chase debut but has to be of interest.

5/2

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-2321

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who was placed on his first three hurdle starts (2m-2m5f) before winning easily at 1-6 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) last month; his jumping is a work in progress but he's in top hands and it will be no surprise if he is a serious force on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Dont Tell Su

11st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

On workable mark if judged on last season's hurdling form at around 2m4f for Paul Nicholls but his chasing debut last March was underwhelming and his finishing effort on seasonal/stable debut in December (favourite) was very disappointing; upped in trip here; has a point to prove.

4/1

25/1

  • Place: £6.40

Form: -649P8 CD

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won this last year and now 8lb lower; market check advised but this 12yo has been below par on his last few runs; needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

3rd

5

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Voix Du Reve

11st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Hislop

T: Iain Jardine

Won this last year and now 8lb lower; market check advised but this 12yo has been below par on his last few runs; needs to turn things around.

25/1

Form: -17734

Last run: 64 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle at Limerick (2m3f, heavy) in November and good third of 14 in Naas handicap (2m2f, soft) in January; fair fourth on chase debut at Clonmel last time; represents good Irish trainer and jockey Paddy Hanlon is 3-10 in Britain; contender now back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 200y

18:42 Limerick

Quest With Speed

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

In good form mostly over hurdles during winter, winning at Navan and a decent effort last time; was pulled-up on last chase start in the Cork National, though, and this trip looks on the sharp side.

9/1

4th

1

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:25 Navan

Quest With Speed

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Chase winner bagged his second hurdling success over C&D in December off 109 at 40-1 (2m4f, soft to heavy); decent showing at Limerick next time when seventh, but his latest Gowran run was poor (2m4f, heavy).

10/1

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 0y

15:20 Cork

Quest With Speed

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Chase winner over 3m2f on good ground at Down Royal in May; Kilbeggan run six days later may have come too soon for him; should be sharper as a result of recent hurdles run at Punchestown.

20/1

Form: 763242

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on two of his last three starts but was no match for the winner when occupying that position at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month, and he's just 1-15 over hurdles; others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:18 Uttoxeter

Front View

11st 6lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Formerly a very useful 2m chaser/hurdler for Joseph O'Brien; not as good these days although fair hurdle runs when second at Haydock in December (3m1f, heavy) and at Exeter in March (2m5f, soft); cheekpieces tried; each-way chance.

10/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Front View

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Runner-up on two of his last three starts but was no match for the winner when occupying that position at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month, and he's just 1-15 over hurdles; others are more compelling.

9/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Front View

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Runner-up on two of his last three starts but was no match for the winner when occupying that position at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month, and he's just 1-15 over hurdles; others are more compelling.

9/1

Form: 421414 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
2-2 over C&D, those wins coming comfortably under Ben Smith in handicaps this year (heavy/good to soft); fair fourth at Carlisle last time and this unexposed 5yo could have more to offer now back here; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Follow Charlie

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

4-29, including a C&D win (from 2lb lower) at this two-day Perth fixture in 2025; has been competing over 3m recently, failing to get home when fourth to Suspected (beaten over 13l) here three weeks ago; dropping back in trip is in his favour; don't discount hastily.

12/1

4th

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Follow Charlie

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joe Wright

T: R Mike Smith

Has won four times over hurdles, including over 2m4f here last May (good); softer ground no problem but stamina to prove.

11/1

9th

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Follow Charlie

11st 1lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Won at Perth (2m4f, good) last May and at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November, and has run well at up to 3m; now just 1lb above his last winning mark and not running badly this year, but he has to better those recent efforts.

16/1

Form: -4173P C

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and 3lb out of the handicap today; pulled up over C&D last month after bad mistake four out; however, he won here (2m2f, soft) in December and also kept on well when third at sharp Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February; only five and open to improvement when back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th May 2026

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Beat The Retreat

11st 8lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won two of his last four, accounting for Snow Dragon at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft; from 4lb lower) in February; the snag is that the other two efforts were laboured ones, beaten 28l into fourth over 2m here (good) three weeks ago; this longer trip can assist.

8/1

4th

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Beat The Retreat

11st 6lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Inconsistent but won at Ayr (2m3f, heavy) in December and returned to form to win at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February on his latest start; ran well on good ground here last May and it's possible he'll cope with the drop back in trip; he can be in the shake-up if on another going day.

7/1

1st

5

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

16:50 Musselburgh

Beat The Retreat

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Three-time winner, most recently at Ayr (2m3f) on penultimate start; however, by no means certain to repeat that form, being far from consistent otherwise.

12/1

Form: 38-03P D

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 2U3111

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
4yo who is 3-3 in handicaps (all against older horses) and won easily last month on his first two starts for this yard (2m/2m2f, soft/heavy); his jumping has lacked fluency and he's 18lb higher than last time, but it remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Billytherealbigred

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Often front-runner; overall strike-rate is 5-10; has form figures of 112 since switched to fences, latest effort in notable novice handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where he beat all bar significant stablemate Jagwar who is a major Cheltenham Festival hope; the type to progress further and Toby Wynne's useful claim offsets a 3lb rise; strong contender.

5/1

2nd

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Billytherealbigred

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Likeable 5yo with a 5-9 strike-rate; unbeaten over fences, making all at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October and strong at the finish when following up at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December; jumped left throughout on second occasion and should be suited by this return to a left-handed track; up in grade today but still has youth on his side and a 7lb rise may not stop him.

4/1

2nd

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Billytherealbigred

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Likeable 5yo with a 5-9 strike-rate; unbeaten over fences, making all at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October and strong at the finish when following up at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December; jumped left throughout on second occasion and should be suited by this return to a left-handed track; up in grade today but still has youth on his side and a 7lb rise may not stop him.

4/1

Non-runners

Kajaki

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.20
Straight Forecast £16.70
Tricast £304.49
Trifecta £321.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Plaisir Des Flos

RP RATINGS:

Billytherealbigred

WEST COUNTRY:

Don't Tell Su

TOPSPEED:

Front View

Daily Mail:

Follow Charlie

D Express:

Quest With Speed

Daily Mirror:

Billytherealbigred

Daily Record:

Don't Tell Su

POSTDATA:

Plaisir Des Flos

Telegraph:

Plaisir Des Flos

The Guardian:

Plaisir Des Flos

The Star:

Plaisir Des Flos

The Times:

Front View