February 27 / 17.00 Ayr

17.00

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (Conditionals/Amateurs) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2450.7
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (Conditionals/Amateurs) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 21 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close second to a subsequent winner in junior bumper here (soft) in November and made all to beat older horses by over 6l here (heavy) last month; now has a penalty to shoulder but ought to be right in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Esprit Du Potier

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist.

9/1

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Esprit Du Potier

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence.

9/2

8/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 4 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal from half-sister to useful bumper/jumps winner Falcon Island; unable to justify favouritism when well-held fourth on debut at Newcaslte (AW) four weeks ago but that was an odd tactical race in which the winner built up an unassailable lead in the early stages; hood left off here; one to watch in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Slugger

10st 10lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Harry Derham

midfield, smooth headway 4 out, joined leader going easily just after 2 out, not fluent but led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 110yds

25/1

2nd

8

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Slugger

10st 10lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Harry Derham

midfield, smooth headway 4 out, joined leader going easily just after 2 out, not fluent but led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 110yds

25/1

4th

9

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Slugger

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Prominent-racer who is unbeaten in three starts for Harry Derham (1m7f-2m1f, good-soft), most recently beating five rivals at Musselburgh in January; today is a much tougher test of his credentials but this 6yo C&D winner is clearly thriving and could continue to improve for his up-and-coming yard.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; dam French Listed-placed 2m2f hurdle winner, half-sister to a French hurdle winner; stable always respected in British bumpers (19% strike-rate); tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

31st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

14:55 Leicester

Giacosa

11st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Sophie Leech

Made the frame in two Ayr bumpers for previous yard; sent to France for both hurdles starts, winning at Machecoul (2m3f, very soft) then pulled up at Nantes; hood now added; market can guide returned to British soil.

8/1

4th

5

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Ayr

Giacosa

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: S R B Crawford

Showed some promise when third over C&D (good to soft; 4-1) in February and wouldn't have to improve much to be a serious contender today; Stuart Crawford and Brian Hughes combined to win this race in 2021.

8/1

3rd

3

27th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Ayr

Giacosa

11st 2lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: S R B Crawford

chased leaders, pushed along and went third 3f out, soon ridden and no extra

4/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£85,000 3yo; sixth foal; half-brother to three French jump winners, two of them useful; dam placed French 2m1f hurdle, half-sister to dam of smart hurdler Decor Irlandais; stable's excellent bumper strike-rate (25%) puts him on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

17:00 Taunton

I Am No Risk

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Stable has a good strike-rate in bumpers; showed some promise at Ayr (2m, good to soft) one month ago, finishing fourth; open to improvement with the experience under his belt.

7/1

4th

4

27th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Ayr

I Am No Risk

11st 2lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

chased leaders, no extra from 2f out

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
15,000euros 3yo; fifth foal; half-brother to winners Global Fame (bumper/hurdle), Rob The Getaway (bumper/chase) and a point winner; dam a point winner; stable does very well in bumpers (21% strike-rate).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

President Scottie

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Dual hurdle winner; has been expensive to follow over fences (0-9) and fair to say that others arrive here in better form.

9/1

5th

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

President Scottie

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Respectable third (off 12lb higher) when favourite for this race last year but was in better form at the time; last of six finishers returned to this C&D most recently, taking chase record to 0-8.

10/1

Form: 24

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made promising debut when coming from the rear for second here (good to soft) in October and may not have handled the heavy ground when well-held fourth behind Esprit Du Potier here last month; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:17 Carlisle

Lucky Soldier

11st 3lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: N W Alexander

mistake 1st, pulled up after 3rd

12/1

Form: 5

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when fifth of seven over C&D (soft) in November but not seen again since and riding arrangements suggest Lucky Soldier is the stable's main hope here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:02 Ayr

Bluebell Glen

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Beaten about 43l on hurdling debut just under a year ago and has form-figures of PRP in the meantime; however, she put in a pretty good front-running shift before tiring over 2m5f on her latest outing and today's drop back in trip looks the right move on her handicap debut; worth a second look.

12/1

9

20th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:02 Ayr

Bluebell Glen

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Beaten about 43l on hurdling debut just under a year ago and has form-figures of PRP in the meantime; however, she put in a pretty good front-running shift before tiring over 2m5f on her latest outing and today's drop back in trip looks the right move on her handicap debut; worth a second look.

12/1

3

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:55 Kelso

Bluebell Glen

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

took keen hold, pressed leader, led before 4th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last

66/1

Form: 14 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably justified favouritism in run-of-the-mill contest at Sedgefield (soft) on rules debut in December but had to settle for fourth at Carlisle (good to soft) this month and may again be vulnerable under his penalty here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Judicial Review

11st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Course record of 3-8 includes the odd flop, but also two C&D successes, the latest off 1lb lower last August; hasn't offered anything elsewhere since, and much depends on this place inspiring him again.

12/1

8

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:04 Carlisle

Judicial Review

11st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Two wins at Cartmel last summer (3m1f/2m5f, good to soft/good); however, pulled up/well beaten at Ayr and Catterick on his last two starts and a big turnaround is necessary today.

25/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Judicial Review

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: James Moffatt

Hit some form at Cartmel in the summer, winning over 3m1f and 2m5f; up 8lb for the last success, which will make things much tougher, especially away from his local course.

11/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Samazul

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.60
Straight Forecast £44.04
Trifecta £182.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Esprit Du Potier

Telegraph:

I Am No Risk

The Times:

Giacosa

The Guardian:

Judicial Review

Daily Mail:

I Am No Risk

The Sun:

I Am No Risk

RP Ratings:

Esprit Du Potier

POSTDATA:

Esprit Du Potier

D Express:

Esprit Du Potier

Daily Mirror:

Esprit Du Potier

The Star:

Esprit Du Potier

Daily Record:

Esprit Du Potier