November 15 / 13.15 Ayr

13.15

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 3f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 52/3-

Last run: 409 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; showed plenty of promise over hurdles last year but now makes his handicap debut off top weight, after 13 months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Whelans Bridge

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

2021 Irish point winner but he's had just four races under rules, pulled up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft; 33-1) in December on latest; that was after a 435-day layoff and he had wind surgery soon afterwards; also now tongue tied but he needs to build on his 2022 novice placings.

33/1

0

11

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

13:50 Ayr

Whelans Bridge

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rose Dobbin

3m point winner who showed ability in his three novice hurdles last year; this is his first run since but trainer can ready one after an absence and Brian Hughes is booked on handicap debut; interesting.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 394-

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Maiden; much improved when fourth at Newcastle in April but that's reflected in his opening mark; Brian Hughes booked but others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:40 Hexham

Toombridge

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

Posted some good efforts when cheekpieces were added towards the end of last season, perhaps most notably when second at Kelso (2m4f, good) in April, and his run at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) a fortnight ago was much better than eventual 33l defeat suggests; one to consider.

6/1

5th

8

24th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

19:08 Cartmel

Toombridge

10st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Ian Duncan

0-16 under rules but posted some pretty good efforts in cheekpieces towards end of last season, most recently when second from out of the weights at Kelso (2m4f, good) one month ago; can make his presence felt off correct mark here.

4/1

5th

8

24th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

19:08 Cartmel

Toombridge

10st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Ian Duncan

0-16 under rules but posted some pretty good efforts in cheekpieces towards end of last season, most recently when second from out of the weights at Kelso (2m4f, good) one month ago; can make his presence felt off correct mark here.

4/1

Abandoned

Form: 513-11 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo; unbeaten in both starts this autumn and looked to have a bit in hand when beating 18 rivals at Carlisle last month (defied mistake at the final flight); another 4lb rise might not halt his winning run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:27 Hexham

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won over fences at Sedgefield last autumn and kept on for creditable second of 12 behind Ocean Legacy when back over hurdles there (3m3f, good to soft) in February; absent since disappointing C&D run in March but resumes on a workable mark.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Zwicky

11st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

towards rear

11/2

2nd

2

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in last

7/2

Form: 5-763P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Maiden; placed in Ireland but was pulled up on last month's British/handicap debut at Carlisle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Liberty Flame

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

16-race maiden under rules; has been struggling on the Flat during the summer and made a belated return to hurdles when seventh of ten finishers at Perth (2m, soft) nine days ago; steps up in trip and has work to do.

14/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Liberty Flame

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

16-race maiden under rules; has been struggling on the Flat during the summer and made a belated return to hurdles when seventh of ten finishers at Perth (2m, soft) nine days ago; steps up in trip and has work to do.

14/1

7th

8

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:25 Perth

Liberty Flame

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Belatedly returns to hurdling (0-5); has been struggling at a very modest level on the Flat.

20/1

Form: 9-435

Last run: 144 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Point winner; has run well enough over hurdles but will need more than his fifth at Perth, when last seen in June, to win this.
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

Form: 8P6P9- D

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Four wins in France but a damp squib in five outings in Britain last season; mark has come tumbling down but need to see signs of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

3rd

6

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Batman For Ever

11st 3lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won a 2m3f chase (soft) when trained by Guillaume Macaire; unable to replicate his French form for either Rebecca Menzies or Stuart Coltherd but did win a point for the latter in April; more needed back under rules.

9/1

Form: 414454 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Perth this summer/autumn and has twice run well at Carlisle recently; this will be his 15th outing of the season and likely there are a few that are far less exposed than this winner of eight of 52 hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Malangen

11st 1lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lisa Harrison

Returned to form at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) on Wednesday, when he was reeled in after blasting off in front but kept on gamely for second; also suited by this C&D and a recent 2lb drop has now taken effect but he had a hard race at Perth and has become inconsistent.

5/1

2nd

6

13th May 2026

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Malangen

11st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lisa Harrison

Veteran; 12-94, four of those wins coming at his beloved Perth; showed up well for much of the contest at Hexham (2m, soft; third, beaten 33l) on Saturday evening, before tiring markedly on the uphill climb; the better ground is in his favour here but this is a quick turnaround.

11/1

3rd

8

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Malangen

10st 12lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Has won ten of his 82 races, including over this C&D in June 2024 (good); should be all the better for last month's reappearance run at Perth; interesting.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: -87641

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in his first ten starts but application of cheekpieces saw him justify support at Galway (2m+) six weeks ago (hard-fought but first two finished well clear); 14lb higher for return to Britain but clearly needs to be taken seriously now that he's hit form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Ivane

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Successful over fences (twice) and hurdles last term; went off the boil on his last two runs early on this year and is 7lb higher than his last winning mark; looks to need to come down the weights.

5/1

4th

1

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Ivane

12st 1lb

J: Mr Sam Lee

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish; has won four races since joining this yard, two of them over fences here (2m5f, 3m5f, good); has won on soft/heavy ground but best form on good/good to soft and below par on ground considered 'tacky' last time.

7/1

6th

10

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Ivane

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Four wins since joining this stable last spring, the latest in Durham National at Sedgefield (3m5f, good) in October; arguably posted career-best performance when clear second in Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen (3m3f, good to soft) on Boxing Day but went up another 4lb for that and the forecast slower ground here may not be ideal.

14/1

Form: 86-243

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
AW winner in April but beaten three times over hurdles in the summer, including in a seller; has since been sold out of Olly Murphy's for £3,000; probably best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

14:10 Perth

What Will Be

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from absence with some very disappointing hurdle runs last season but won on Flat in April and has held his form pretty well under both codes since; not yet proven over 2m4f but ran well for a long way when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) three weeks ago and enters calculations.

13/2

4th

3

11th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

What Will Be

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Olly Murphy

Dual AW winner on the Flat; second in a C&D selling hurdle (good to soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) on latest start; this tougher.

8/1

Form: 456

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of four Irish points in the spring; hasn't remotely threatened in three hurdle starts in Britain but may be a different tale on handicap debut with a tongue-strap fitted; market check essential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 3lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: George Bewley

Has produced a couple of fair efforts in defeat, including a 10l third over C&D in this headgear combination in December 2024, but subsequent runs were disappointing; returns from a lengthy absence with major questions to answer.

33/1

9th

9

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:18 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

never going well, always behind

25/1

9th

9

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:18 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

never going well, always behind

25/1

Form: 6342-

Last run: 250 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Just four career starts; beaten a long way when runner-up here in March (2m) but clearly has some ability; wind surgery since and could play a role on handicap debut over a longer trip.
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: 26P5-B

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Maiden; only beaten three lengths when fifth at Kelso in April but was brought down there the following month and absent since; wind surgery in September and remains relatively unexposed; one of two for yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:25 Musselburgh

Melchoir

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Nine-race maiden who has not progressed and was pulled up at Kelso (2m5f, soft) last month on her first run after wind surgery; others are more convincing.

16/1

0

9

29th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

13:35 Kelso

Melchoir

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Yet to win but not fully exposed and has shown ability; last seen when brought down in May and has since had a wind op, but she needs to improve if she's to land this.

14/1

Form: -53443

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Maiden after 17 outings; was running consistently in the summer and maintained that trend when beaten little more than a length when third behind Zwicky at Carlisle last month; chances of the elusive win on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

6th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 over hurdles but went very close on stable debut here (2m4f, soft) in July and also ran well when third (albeit well held) at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; drops back in trip with cheekpieces refitted here; no surprise if he comes good for Olly Murphy soon.

6/1

3rd

6

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Bushmill Boy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-22 over hurdles but very nearly made a winning stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago and will be fine on the forecast faster ground here; one to consider.

4/1

2nd

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:45 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 but surely has a race in him, and did record a respectable C&D third (soft) last November; wind surgery since claimed for £6,000 from David Thompson and starts life for Olly Murphy back on a career-low mark.

7/2

Form: 744

Last run: 168 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Irish points a year ago; disappointing in three hurdle attempts (for Neil Mulholland) in May and sold for £6,000; again finished second in an Irish point on recent stable debut and a few alarm bells will be ringing if she meets with support on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

20th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:15 Cartmel

Ambush Annie

10st 11lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Runner-up on all three starts pointing in Ireland; best hurdles run when third at Ayr in January (2m4f, heavy) but modest run in a Kilbeggan mares' maiden last time (2m3f, good to yielding; rider said hung left throughout); a possible on chase debut.

6/1

8th

6

12th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 60y

16:25 Kilbeggan

Ambush Annie

10st 13lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Formerly with Neil Mulholland and okay efforts for current yard in Ayr handicaps last winter; good bit to find back in maiden company.

25/1

4th

14

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Ambush Annie

10st 12lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Formerly with Neil Mulholland; finished around 15l behind Beat The Retreat when third of 14 on stable/handicap debut here (2m2f, soft) 13 days ago; improvement needed, but the step back up in trip should suit and she is now 7lb better off; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: /578P-

Last run: 472 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Chase winner but unplaced all eight hurdle starts; absent since July 2022 (was with Sue Smith) and 10lb out of the weights on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

28th Dec 2023

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:50 Catterick

Tumbling Dice

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: William Young Jnr

Won over C&D on New Year's Day in 2022 but it's been a long time since he's shown any worthwhile form.

100/1

11th

12

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 5

14:55 Musselburgh

Tumbling Dice

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: William Young Jnr

Won at Catterick (3m1f, soft) for Sue Smith last January but he was out of sorts in final five runs for that yard and was pulled up at Kelso on his comeback last month; overall record now stands at 1-20 and he has plenty to prove from out of the weights.

40/1

Verdict

The 4lb rise for last month’s Carlisle win may not stop ZWICKY (nap), who looked safely on top at the finish. The other recent winner, Ivane, is next best while fellow Irish challenger Ambush Annie is another with claims. Support for Reagrove Lord would heighten interest in this handicap newcomer.[Jonathan Neesom]