February 26 / 15.05 Ayr

15.05

Heavy

Coral Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 0f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Coral Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 13-315 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Came up short in Class 2 race last month but has a largely solid and progressive record otherwise; jumped well and made all for easy success at Kelso (2m1f, heavy; second chase run) the time before; remains of interest back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

4th

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Traprain Law

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.

6/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 39/421 C

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism with 2l success, having jumped well, in similar event here (2m4f, heavy; off 5lb lower) eight weeks ago on chase debut; open to progress in this sphere; major player, provided he's as effective back at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Ballycoose

10st 6lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: S R B Crawford

His first four chase starts were all at Ayr, finishing second in a good handicap at the Scottish National meeting in April on the final occasion (3m, soft); well beaten on reappearance at Punchestown last month but may have needed the run and he remains unexposed over staying trips; not discounted.

11/1

13

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Ballycoose

10st 6lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: S R B Crawford

His first four chase starts were all at Ayr, finishing second in a good handicap at the Scottish National meeting in April on the final occasion (3m, soft); well beaten on reappearance at Punchestown last month but may have needed the run and he remains unexposed over staying trips; not discounted.

11/1

7th

6

23rd Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 5f 70y

13:35 Punchestown

Ballycoose

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: S R B Crawford

Has done all of his racing in the past 12 months at Ayr, running a cracker when second to Sharjah in a 3m Grade 2 handicap in April; no surprise should he improve for the run but not one to underestimate.

8/1

Form: 1P-P02 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; bumper/hurdles winner who shouldn't be long in scoring over fences, having performed well (half-length second to Gardener) in first-time cheekpieces at Carlisle on the switch to this sphere; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Carcaci Castle

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

10yo who isn't the force of old but has dropped down the weights accordingly and finished second to an improving winner at Musselburgh last month; could be a contender if backing up that performance.

15/2

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 733/45

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Latest defeat took his record to 0-6; the only maiden in this field but receives stacks of weight all round and is a possible improver on handicap/chase debut; showed promise in Irish point; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:27 Perth

Leitrim Chief

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

11-race maiden who signed off for James Ewart with two poor runs in headgear (now removed) in February/March; makes stable debut from a tempting mark but needs to have been revitalised by his new regime and is untested on ground this quick.

16/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:27 Perth

Leitrim Chief

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

11-race maiden who signed off for James Ewart with two poor runs in headgear (now removed) in February/March; makes stable debut from a tempting mark but needs to have been revitalised by his new regime and is untested on ground this quick.

16/1

5

7th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Leitrim Chief

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

Ten-race maiden; fair third over 1m7f at Hexham in April (heavy); subsequently had wind surgery and hasn't run as well since, last time with cheekpieces tried; blinkers on this time and also up in trip (first run at 3m); improvement needed.

8/1

Form: 4-01U1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
2-3 since joining new stable and switched to fences (unlucky on penultimate start); all out to beat Carcaci Castle at Carlisle (2m, soft; jumped left) most recently but may well have more to offer back on a left-handed course; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Gardener

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Bidding for a C&D hat-trick having won here on last two starts (soft/good); has gone up 9lb but has run well off much higher marks in the past; could go well.

6/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Gardener

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Five races for his new trainer and back on track, following three third places with a tenacious C&D win (soft) under Charlie Maggs in 14-runner race 19 days ago; back up 4lb but one to consider seriously.

100/30

1st

4

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Gardener

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ended his time with Olly Murphy under a cloud but back on track for his new handler and he posted a solid third of eight in 2m3f handicap at Catterick last month; considered from an easing mark.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.40
Straight Forecast £7.13
Trifecta £18.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballycoose

RP RATINGS:

Carcaci Castle

Telegraph:

Gardener

Daily Mirror:

Traprain Law

TOPSPEED:

Carcaci Castle

POSTDATA:

Carcaci Castle

The Guardian:

Carcaci Castle

Daily Mail:

Gardener

The Times:

Ballycoose

D Express:

Ballycoose

The Sun:

Ballycoose

The Star:

Ballycoose

Daily Record:

Ballycoose