December 22 / 14.30 Ayr

14.30

Good To Soft

Coral Racing Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 5f 91y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
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Coral Racing Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won a British maiden point (3m, good) on his debut in April; a useful standard will be required if he's to make a winning rules debut in this line-up, but he's certainly an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:40 Newcastle

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won this last year (heavy) and good second here (2m7f, soft) in January; also effective on good ground; failed to stay 4m1f in the Eider here in February and could play a leading role now back down in distance.

7/2

6/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, good to yielding) in April on his third start and came clear with the Gordon Elliott-trained odds-on favourite when scoring on his rules debut in a maiden hurdle here (2m4f, soft) last month; he's a likeable prospect and has to be respected under a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

Step Above

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Off since recording a good second in 2m4f Ayr handicap chase in March but he has run well off a break so can't be discounted; visor goes back on too.

7/1

2nd

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Step Above

11st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Posted a good fourth over C&D in January, but fell heavily back here 24 days ago; ought to be thereabouts in his bid for a first victory in this sphere.

11/4

5

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:10 Ayr

Step Above

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point runner-up (soft) who won a bumper at Warwick (2m, good) in March on his rules debut and followed up at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in October on his first run over hurdles; tougher task under a penalty here and could do with jumping better, but he could relish the step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:58 Warwick

Are U Wise To That

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won over fences here (2m4f, good) and at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in 2023, but contrasting performances in his last five starts; 2lb below his last winning mark, but not quite sure what to expect.

10/1

7th

1

11th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

Class 3

14:55 Lingfield

Are U Wise To That

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won over fences in September and December 2023 and he was back near his best when second off this mark at Wetherby (3m, soft; unraced on heavy) two months ago; in the mix.

5/1

7th

1

11th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

Class 3

14:55 Lingfield

Are U Wise To That

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won over fences in September and December 2023 and he was back near his best when second off this mark at Wetherby (3m, soft; unraced on heavy) two months ago; in the mix.

5/1

Form: F

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked held by Step Above when falling at the final flight on his rules debut here (2m4f, soft) last month; however, this point runner-up shaped as though he may improve for the run and he's 7lb better off with the winner today; could have a part to play for top northern stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:30 Newcastle

Home Sweet Highway

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, soon went clear, mistake 11th, good jump 14th

13/8

1

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:30 Newcastle

Home Sweet Highway

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

This is much easier than the three 0-120 novice handicaps he's contested over fences so far, but mistakes have been as much the issue as race class, as was again the case at Carlisle latest; down 3lb more.

13/8

3rd

5

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 34y

Class 4

14:55 Carlisle

Home Sweet Highway

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Point runner-up (3m, soft) who won a handicap hurdle at Bangor (2m7f, good) in June; he's well treated on that form and things may click over fences at some stage, but there have been jumping errors and heavy defeats on his first two chase starts.

12/1

Form: U/

Last run: 611 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran a fair race but was beaten when unseating two out on her debut at Sedgefield in April 2021 (2m4f, good; 28-1); absent since and is probably best watched on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

12:45 Musselburgh

Miss Smartypants

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Big odds and limited promise in two hurdles runs, off over 600 days in between; may be of more interest when handicapping.

33/1

5th

6

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:30 Ayr

Miss Smartypants

10st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Michael & David Easterby

held up in rear

50/1

Form: 7

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18-1, tailed off on debut in bumper at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month; a transformation is needed on his first hurdles start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:30 Ayr

Long To Be

11st 0lb

J: Thomas Dowson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear, pushed along before 7th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 8th

100/1

7th

5

27th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Long To Be

11st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

55,000euros yearling; fourth foal; half-brother to hurdle/chase winner Arcade Attraction and a point winner; dam maiden half-sister to very useful hurdler Attaglance; stable has relatively modest bumper strike-rate; market may guide.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.30
Straight Forecast £8.37
Trifecta £16.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

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SPOTLIGHT:

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Telegraph:

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WEST COUNTRY:

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Daily Mail:

Are U Wise To That

The Star:

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TOPSPEED:

Step Above

POSTDATA:

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The Times:

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The Guardian:

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D Express:

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Daily Mirror:

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The Sun:

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Daily Record:

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