March 08 / 13.42 Ayr

13.42

Soft

Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5-1222 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Made a winning hurdling debut at Ffos Las in November and fairly useful efforts posted when runner-up all three outings since, fitted with blinkers when denied in 2m3f Ascot novice last time; he holds very good form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Crest Of Fortune

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Third in the Grade 1 Sefton at this meeting last year but that wasn't the strongest renewal; promising second of 14 on chase debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October hasn't been built on and he bled when tailed off in Kempton Grade 1 over Christmas; didn't impress with his jumping in February when last seen and needs to get back on track.

40/1

3rd

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Crest Of Fortune

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Perhaps best to forgive his heavy defeat, behind Thomas Mor, at Kempton last time (bled from nose); has largely progressive RPRs otherwise and has Graded form; first chase win is not implausible.

7/2

2nd

1

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Crest Of Fortune

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Bumper and two-time novice hurdle winner (2m4f, good to soft/soft) who showed improved form in a first-time tongue-tie when third in Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April; tongue-tie absent for chase/seasonal debut but he's one to consider for a yard among the winners.

7/1

OUR TIP

5/6

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has created a good impression in landing Wetherby bumper (for Nicky Richards) last spring and 2m4f novice on his hurdling debut at Newcastle in January; this son of Castle Du Berlais looks to have more to offer so rates a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Jupiter Des Mottes

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Low-mileage 7yo who was very well backed at Carlisle three weeks ago and ran out a ready winner (3m1f, good to soft); raised 6lb but appeals as a horse with more to offer.

3/1

1st

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Jupiter Des Mottes

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Won a Newcastle novice for Lucinda Russell last season (2m4f, soft); hasn't done quite as well since and was pulled up on first run back with Nicky Richards at Haydock in February after being hampered; capable of better than he has shown; chance

9/2

Form: 565-56

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer but he failed to build on an encouraging hurdling debut fifth over 3m here when a C&D sixth 25 days ago; he's worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:04 Carlisle

Wholly Boley

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Daragh Bourke

Bolted up at Ayr (3m, heavy) in December on third chase start; well beaten back there last month but made a bad mistake six out; he'll be in the picture if rediscovering the form of his December win.

11/1

5

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Wholly Boley

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

Won an Irish point in May 2024 (3m, good to yielding); sound run when second in three-finisher handicap on chase debut at Hexham earlier this month; cheekpieces now tried; a possible.

8/1

2nd

1

3rd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:37 Hexham

Wholly Boley

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

Winning pointer but he's generally struggled under rules including in three hurdle runs at Ayr (3m/2m4f) early this year; still lightly raced and now goes handicapping over fences but he needs improvement after 209 days off.

20/1

Form: 235

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Masked Marvel gelding shaped well when placed in a Uttoxeter bumper and 2m maiden hurdle at Kelso but came in only fifth in 2m novice here last time; he remains with potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Jehol De Thaix

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Came good at sixth attempt, keeping on resolutely at Newcastle (2m6f, good to soft) three weeks ago; 6lb higher here but has plenty of scope for further progress if his jumping is more fluent this time.

7/2

1st

6

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Newcastle

Jehol De Thaix

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Perked up again sent handicapping for his two starts this season, in fact best effort when second of nine at Haydock (2m5f, good to soft; up 3lb today) last time; on that evidence this longer trip will suit him well.

5/2

2nd

8

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 50y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Jehol De Thaix

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Shaped quite well before fading into sixth of ten on seasonal/handicap debut at Wetherby (2m5f, good) in October and probably still has some potential but he's been off for another four months since.

12/1

Form: 87-9

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Offered little in a pair of bumpers last spring and again on his hurdling debut when a C&D ninth 25 days ago; significantly more is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

13:55 Wetherby

Wor Lad

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Donald Whillans

Having not achieved much previously, he made his handicap debut off this lowly mark at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month and finished third of ten, beaten just under 8l; this unexposed 6yo might not be far away.

7/1

5th

5

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Wor Lad

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

towards rear, pushed along when bit short of room and switched left just before 3 out, soon weakened, hit last

100/1

6

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:42 Ayr

Wor Lad

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

in touch with leaders on outer, pushed along briefly 6th, slow jump and dropped to last 7th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up

66/1

Non-runners

King Of Answers

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.10
Straight Forecast £3.40
Trifecta £8.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

King Of Answers

SPOTLIGHT:

Jupiter Des Mottes

RP RATINGS:

Crest Of Fortune

TOPSPEED:

Jehol De Thaix

Daily Mail:

Jupiter Des Mottes

Daily Mirror:

Jupiter Des Mottes

Daily Record:

Jupiter Des Mottes

The Sun:

Crest Of Fortune

The Times:

King Of Answers

Telegraph:

King Of Answers

The Guardian:

King Of Answers

D Express:

King Of Answers

The Star:

King Of Answers