January 08 / 15.40 Ayr

15.40

Soft

Virgin Bet Fives Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4547.4
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Fives Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 31 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (3m, good to yielding); followed up a promising bumper debut at Worcester (2m, good to soft) in October by winning a slowly-run, four-runner contest at Hexham last time (2m, heavy; runner-up second in a novice hurdle next time); chance despite penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Wendigo

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Just nabbed on his chase debut (good) in October but stayed on strongly to pick up Newbury Grade 2 (also 2m4f, good to soft; Regent's Stroll third, Crest Of Fortune fourth) the following month; outpaced throughout but never stopped trying when third in Kempton Grade 1 (3m, good; Salver fourth, Crest Of Fortune behind) over Christmas and that was also the case until he fell at the last when 6l down in the Brown Advisory (3m1f, good to soft; Salver third) last month; solid claims.

4/1

14

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wendigo

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Fifth in last year's Albert Bartlett here and very smart form over fences, winning Grade 2 at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in November; easy winner of novice at Ayr (3m, soft) 41 days ago and looks the best of the British hopes, although he may find one or two too good unless he improves again.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gelding by Soldier Of Fortune who cost 72,000euros as a 3yo; dam 2m-2m4f hurdle winner; stable has a fine record in bumpers and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

Barlovento

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Soundly beaten on last two starts but those were Class 2 contests at Cheltenham and Kempton and this is a drop back in grade; this lightly raced 7yo had previously made a promising start to his chasing career, including a 2m4f win at Kempton, and he remains one to be interested in.

3/1

3rd

7

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Barlovento

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Encouraging chase debut at Exeter then a convincing if narrow C&D win (good; has won on soft) in November, sealing the race between the last two; much lesser run at Cheltenham since (well behind Califet En Vol); may do much better back here.

8/1

8th

6

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:05 Cheltenham

Barlovento

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Ridden out to win the novice handicap chase at Kempton (2m4f, good) on Boxing Day, building on his promising reappearance effort; appears to handle soft ground; this low-mileage 7yo looks likely to improve further over fences; enters calculations.

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£65,000 3yo; half-brother to two bumper/hurdle winners; well worth a market check on debut
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:40 Ayr

Jeune Prince

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Promise on all three starts over hurdles, best effort on first go at 2m4f when runner-up here last time (soft); one to consider.

11/4

1st

5

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:40 Ayr

Jeune Prince

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Promise on all three starts over hurdles, best effort on first go at 2m4f when runner-up here last time (soft); one to consider.

11/4

2nd

6

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

12:10 Ayr

Jeune Prince

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Fair form in two bumpers and two hurdles, last time finishing third of nine at Newcastle (2m, good; evens favourite); this stiffer test of stamina should suit; one to consider.

5/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French-bred; bought for £31,000 as a 3yo; half-brother to a French AQPS Flat winner; stable's runners usually improve for a run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

Jirko

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Yet to win (0-12) but consistent enough since introduced to fences (32333U); this easing mark is helpful from a handicapping perspective but he needs to brush up his jumping - last two efforts in cheekpieces unconvincing - to threaten the principals.

6/1

11

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

17:15 Perth

Jirko

10st 4lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

11-race maiden; placed on all five starts over fences this term, although was disappointing when last of three with cheekpieces tried at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft; didn't jump well); headgear retained; each-way chance.

11/1

3rd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Ayr

Jirko

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

0-10 under all codes but made the frame in four consecutive chases this season, the last three over 3m here (soft/heavy); interesting to see whether combination of drop back in trip and first-time cheekpieces pays dividends.

15/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred by 1m/1m2f winner Gris De Gris; 14th foal; half-brother to seven winners at up to 1m2f; worth a market check on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Lance Les Des

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Closely matched with Triple Crown Ted on February's Kelso clash and this 7yo was good value for his win back in a maiden here last time on soft ground; progressive and quite likely on fair terms with the handicapper.

8/1

1st

8

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Lance Les Des

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Three good runs this season, the latest a close second on handicap debut at Kelso (2m, heavy) three weeks ago; has another big role to play on this return to novice company.

3/1

2nd

9

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Lance Les Des

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Returned from absence to finish third to Triple Crown Ted in C&D novice (soft) in November and took a step forward when again third over C&D (good to soft) last time; this lightly raced 7yo is open to further improvement and could give a good account on handicap debut.

7/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 258 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form in a maiden point and a bumper in Ireland; improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

6th

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Winning hurdler is 0-5 in chases but has run well in defeat, including at this venue over 16.5f (good to yielding) back in January; won at 2m6f over hurdles but has stamina to prove for this trip; doesn't look a certain stayer on breeding and others appeal more.

100/30

Form: 2-

Last run: 277 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at 100-1 behind a well-supported winner in a Wetherby bumper in April (2m, good to soft, third a previous winner is 3-3 over hurdles); off since, but has a good jumping pedigree and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

12:45 Wetherby

Telemetry

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

in touch with leaders and, went second 5th, joined leader before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on and went clear run-in

33/1

1st

6

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

12:45 Wetherby

Telemetry

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

in touch with leaders and, went second 5th, joined leader before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on and went clear run-in

33/1

10th

10

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Telemetry

11st 1lb

J: Thomas Dowson

T: Philip Kirby

prominent, mistake 1st, weakened before 3 out

25/1

Form: 6

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Staying-bred 5yo who shaped with a degree of promise when sixth of 15 in a C&D bumper in November (2m, good to soft, 33-1); should improve on that; each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:18 Perth

Theonetowatch

11st 4lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Eyecatching sixth of 15 at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in his first bumper but he took backward steps in two subsequent runs in that sphere; bit to prove now switched to hurdling and others are preferred.

50/1

10th

10

8th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

16:55 Kelso

Theonetowatch

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

took keen hold, prominent, lost position 5f out, weakened from 4f out

33/1

10th

10

8th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

16:55 Kelso

Theonetowatch

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

took keen hold, prominent, lost position 5f out, weakened from 4f out

33/1

Verdict

A few with possibilities with the vote going to TELEMETRY, who shaped well when runner-up at Wetherby on his debut in April. Hexham winner Wendigo and the newcomers Barlovento and Jeune Prince are others worth considering.[Colin Russell]