December 22 / 13.30 Ayr

13.30

Good To Soft

Coral First For Racing ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Coral First For Racing ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.80
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 31-24 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising in bumpers, winning at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in March and finishing fourth of 16 in a Listed mares' race at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month; brings potential to her hurdle debut and could go well.
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

7/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 862-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved form for Stuart Crawford when second of 24 at 50-1 on hurdle debut at Naas (1m7f, soft) in February; below that level when 19l fourth at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) on last month's stable debut but may improve for the run and give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Thistle Ask

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Front-runner who has shown excellent progress over fences and whose record for current stable reads 11112, the last two wins in Grade 2 handicaps; collared by Jonbon in soft-ground Grade 1 at Ascot (2m1f) when last seen; may turn the tables returned to forecast ideal ground, being 5-5 on good; possibly hasn't reached his ceiling yet; respected.

7/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Thistle Ask

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

One of the success stories of the season, improving dramatically for new yard and rattling off four handicap wins (2m-2m3f, all on good); showed high-class form when routing six rivals at Kempton just after Christmas; impossible to discount, but he'll need another personal best in this higher grade and he also has to prove he's as effective on ground softer than good.

7/1

6

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 1

14:55 Wetherby

Thistle Ask

10st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Debut for this yard when making it 2-3 over fences with an all-the-way success last week at Kelso (2m1f, good), justifying odds of 5-4 on his return from a 265-day absence; 2lb well in even with the penalty and he's very lightly raced for an 8yo.

Evs

20/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 36

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair third in Irish maiden point on second run and has also shown some ability on both hurdle outings, but not enough to suggest he'll win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:43 Perth

Fia Fuinidh

10st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from layoff with two good efforts over fences last autumn but the rest of last season's chasing form was disappointing; now hurdling for first time since 2023; on good mark (even from 2lb out of the weights) but needs to have refreshed by latest break.

20/1

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Fia Fuinidh

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from break with two good seconds in the autumn (2m/2m1f), but has lost his way a bit since and is unraced on ground quicker than good to soft (withdrawn from a recent engagement with good deemed unsuitable).

13/2

7th

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Fia Fuinidh

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from break with two good seconds in the autumn (2m/2m1f), but has lost his way a bit since and is unraced on ground quicker than good to soft (withdrawn from a recent engagement with good deemed unsuitable).

13/2

Form: 6663

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to threaten when sixth on his first three starts and well-beaten third of seven at Sedgefield three weeks ago on second hurdle run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Shir I Dont Know

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Iain Jardine

Showed more than the distance beaten suggests at Ayr in December; floundered on heavy ground next time but won with something to spare on handicap debut back at Ayr last month (2m, soft); up 7lb; pedigree strongly suggests return to further will suit; major player.

4/1

1st

6

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Ayr

Shir I Dont Know

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Iain Jardine

towards rear, headway 5th, led 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably

20/1

Form: 4

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1, beaten 24l when fourth of ten on debut in a bumper here (2m, good to soft) in October; plenty of improvement needed here but it was a fair race and he's in good hands to progress; not written off each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:25 Musselburgh

Prince Of Perth

11st 11lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Won over 2m4f here (good to soft) in December on handicap debut; pulled up with a respiratory noise on soft next time but returned from wind surgery for a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month; ridden by Conner McCann for those three starts; up another 6lb but lightly raced and has more to offer.

5/1

1st

6

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Prince Of Perth

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield on outer

10/1

1st

6

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Prince Of Perth

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield on outer

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise in his two Irish maiden points in October 2020 and changed hands for £20,000 the following month; absent since but he's not ruled out each-way on his belated rules debut; one of two for yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Cream Of The West

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Sole attempt in Class 5 resulted in a hurdles win off this mark; possibilities returned to this grade on third chase start.

8/1

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Cream Of The West

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Sole attempt in Class 5 resulted in a hurdles win off this mark; possibilities returned to this grade on third chase start.

8/1

4th

6

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Cream Of The West

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Made an early mistake and unable to threaten when sixth of 14 on this month's chase and seasonal debut at Hexham (2m4f, soft), but he made some late headway; won over 2m7f on heavy ground over hurdles at Hexham in March and he could have a part to play now upped in trip.

13/2

Form: 22-2 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over hurdles on his two starts in France (2m1f, heavy/very soft) and occupied the same position on last month's stable debut at Bangor (2m, soft); has had wind surgery since and this looks a good opportunity for him to post a first win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ayr

Ivar

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent on inner

Evs

Form: 55

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands and it's very early days; however, he's been a 26l fifth on both starts (hurdle debut at Newcastle) last time and he needs to raise his game if he's to pose a threat here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Tenbobeachway

10st 9lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Very lightly raced hurdler; off two years before beating only one on his chasing debut in 2m3f Wetherby handicap last month; significantly more is required.

20/1

9th

6

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

13:00 Wetherby

Tenbobeachway

11st 9lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Half-brother to a point winner and he showed ability in his three hurdle runs at up to 2m4f; his last run was two years ago but he's still very lightly raced and needs checking in market on his handicap/chase debut.

12/1

Form: 78

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in three of his Irish maiden points but 0-7 in that sphere and down the field on his first two hurdle starts; the first-time tongue-tie needs to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:38 Perth

Shantou Moon

11st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

0-14 in points and 2-29 under rules, with chase record 0-6; very opposable on what he's been showing of late in handicap chases.

33/1

2

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:37 Uttoxeter

Shantou Moon

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: William Young Jnr

Career record reads 2-42 including 14 starts in points; finished a very long way behind Wheresmemoneygone at Perth (3m, good) last month, but even a huge weights swing makes him hard to fancy; tongue-tie returns.

40/1

3

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

16:20 Perth

Shantou Moon

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: William Young Jnr

Second of four in C&D (good) hunter chase in May, but the form isn't anything to go wild about and he was pulled up when back in a handicap at Hexham last month; others look much stronger.

33/1

Form: 25-38

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on debut in Kelso bumper (2m, heavy) in February and fair third over hurdle debut over this C&D (good to soft) in October; raced freely when well beaten at Kelso since; each-way contender if settling better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

These cheekpieces and a switch to prominent tactics have prompted good performances at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his last two starts, finishing second then first; he's won three times here in the past (including on good to soft) and might be thereabouts.

9/1

1st

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Third in this last year (heavy) and achieved his best result of this season when 6l second to Diamond Geezer in first-time cheekpieces (retained) over C&D (soft) last month; could be thereabouts.

10/1

2nd

3

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Four-time hurdle winner, including three over 2m5f at Kelso (good to soft/soft); disappointing start to chasing career in the autumn but he ran respectably back over hurdles at Kelso (extended 2m6f) last month; now back on last winning mark and he could be dangerous on this drop back in trip; cheekpieces added.

16/1

Form: 5

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His dam was a 2m3f hurdle winner but he was a well-beaten fifth of seven at 16-1 in a bumper at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) on last month's debut, and is probably best watched on this first hurdles start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:30 Kelso

Highlander Hill

11st 0lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Paul Robson

sweating, in rear, jumped slightly right and bumped rival 1st

25/1

8th

9

15th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:00 Kelso

Highlander Hill

11st 0lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: Paul Robson

prominent on outer

100/1

11th

5

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ayr

Highlander Hill

11st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Paul Robson

midfield

33/1

Form: 00

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His Northern Irish stable has a much better strike-rate in Britain than in Ireland and he's one to watch in the betting, but he's been tailed off at Down Royal and Fairyhouse on his first two starts; lots to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Mar 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 190y

13:50 Down Royal

Vango Opera

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Noel C Kelly

towards rear, awkward jump 4th

100/1

12th

13

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ayr

Vango Opera

11st 4lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

midfield

33/1

14th

15

3rd Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:17 Fairyhouse

Vango Opera

11st 12lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Noel C Kelly

never better than mid-division, dropped to rear when jumped slightly right and weakened 3 out

200/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-

Last run: 264 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to two winners but he was a tailed-off seventh of eight at 14-1 on his debut in a bumper here (2m, good to soft) in April, and has to leave that form miles behind on this second start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

8th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Captain Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: R Mike Smith

0-7 in novice/maiden hurdles, completing only twice and showing no significant promise; makes handicap debut from a basement mark but still needs improvement.

50/1

8th

1

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Captain Nelson

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: R Mike Smith

Showed no significant promise when a big-priced outsider for his three hurdling starts last spring; returns from a break today.

100/1

3

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:20 Cartmel

Captain Nelson

11st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

Has a tongue tie on for first time but significant improvement needed.

50/1

Form: 66-P

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field on his first two starts then pulled up at 50-1 over C&D last time out in October; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Ayr

Tarquin Stardust

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ewan Whillans

Down the field on first two starts and pulled up in C&D novice and maiden hurdles the last twice; a transformation is needed in a first-time tongue-tie on handicap debut.

33/1

10

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ayr

Tarquin Stardust

11st 4lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

prominent on outer

100/1

8

8th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 46y

Class 4

12:42 Newcastle

Tarquin Stardust

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Ewan Whillans

50-1 for both hurdle starts, when tailed off/pulled up.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.90
Straight Forecast £19.30
Trifecta £461.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ivar

Daily Mail:

Ruby Island

Telegraph:

Cream Of The West

D Express:

Ruby Island

RP Ratings:

Ivar

TOPSPEED:

Ivar

POSTDATA:

Ivar

The Times:

Ivar

The Guardian:

Ivar

Daily Mirror:

Ivar

The Sun:

Ivar

The Star:

Ivar

Daily Record:

Ivar