January 02 / 12.45 Ayr

12.45

Heavy

Happy New Year From Ayr Racecourse Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4547.4
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Happy New Year From Ayr Racecourse Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.58
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 116-22 C BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won two bumpers here early in 2023 (heavy and good to soft); beaten at short prices in both hurdle starts but he lost little in defeat against a promising one in December (2m, soft; President Scottie 12l back in third), keeping on well enough to think he'll stay 2m4f; obvious chance.
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

11/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 533-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed up well in two bumpers last winter; couldn't threaten when third on hurdle debut here in December (2m, soft; 12l behind Esprit Du Potier) but he plugged on against rivals who had had a run; looks sure to be suited by 2m4f and improvement expected.
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: 85-24

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
No impact in bumpers but finished to some purpose when taking a late second on 2m hurdle debut here (good to soft) behind one who has done better since; perhaps disappointing he didn't finish closer over that C&D since but remains of interest at this level now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hombre De Guerra

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Hasn't got competitive this term and beaten 18l when sixth of eight on stable debut at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) in February; however, he shaped as though this step up in trip might be a good move and his three wins, including two over fences last January (2m, soft), have all come at Ayr.

14/1

6th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Hombre De Guerra

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Made fine start to chasing career last term, winning twice at Ayr (2m, soft); won on good to soft over hurdles; faced tough task on reappearance in November but well beaten in C&D handicap (soft) subsequently on final run for Nick Alexander; can be in the mix on stable debut if rediscovering last season's promise; remains in same ownership.

12/1

Form: 77

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hinted at ability on the first of two hurdle runs in Ireland, at Down Royal in November (2m1f, soft); no impact next time but pedigree suggests more will be forthcoming upped to 2m4f; still has work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:00 Down Royal

Paddys Milestone

11st 11lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

midfield, prominent on inner after 3 out

16/1

25/1

Form: 42-30

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some ability in Irish bumpers but he finished remote on hurdle debut here for new yard (2m, soft) and has plenty to prove up in trip; hooded last time but not today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

16:33 Newcastle

Sattam

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

Off the mark at the tenth attempt at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) on Sunday, and in some style too, eased after surging well clear from three out; looks well in under a penalty; has a good chance of following up.

5/6

1st

8

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Sattam

10st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Maiden whose penultimate effort (in May 2024) suggests there may be an ordinary handicap in him; showed signs of retaining ability, while looking in need of the run, on belated return to action; not ruled out.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 65-00

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form in three bumpers and no improvement for the switch to hurdles here 22 days ago (2m, soft; 250-1); the step up in trip can suit on pedigree but handicaps still more suitable shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Cave Hill

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ian Duncan

Returned to form to win this race off a 3lb higher mark last year; has been rather disappointing on his last couple of starts and more is needed for a repeat win.

20/1

9th

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Cave Hill

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ian Duncan

Off the mark over fences when scoring at Hexham last May (2m4f, good to soft); hasn't been in such good form since; 1lb lower than his winning mark; drier ground should suit.

11/1

Form: 0-PP

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished a long way back in sole bumper and has been pulled up in both hurdle starts this winter (2m4f and 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:50 Perth

Born To Sparkle

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: R Mike Smith

Tailed off in sole bumper and pulled up at 300-1 on all three hurdle starts; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

200/1

3

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:50 Perth

Born To Sparkle

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: R Mike Smith

Tailed off in sole bumper and pulled up at 300-1 on all three hurdle starts; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

200/1

0

7

2nd Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

12:45 Ayr

Born To Sparkle

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

in rear, weakened and tailed off after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.70
Straight Forecast £4.12
Trifecta £6.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Esprit Du Potier

The Guardian:

Hombre De Guerra

RP RATINGS:

Esprit Du Potier

POSTDATA:

Esprit Du Potier

THE NORTH:

Esprit Du Potier

The Times:

Esprit Du Potier

Telegraph:

Esprit Du Potier

Daily Mail:

Esprit Du Potier

D Express:

Esprit Du Potier

Daily Mirror:

Esprit Du Potier

The Sun:

Esprit Du Potier

The Star:

Esprit Du Potier

Daily Record:

Esprit Du Potier