April 11 / 13.30 Ayr

13.30

Good To Soft

Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9505.8
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: -1184P D BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Kelso last time but remains interesting on some of his earlier form; completed a hat-trick last year and ran well in useful handicap at Ascot on penultimate start; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Wilful

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo won a competitive Ascot handicap in December (15.5f, good to soft) and was second in a valuable Windsor handicap next time (2m, soft); posted career-best effort in the County Hurdle last time, keeping on well to win by three lengths (2m1f, soft); has course form after filling the second spot in a festival handicap here last season; enters Grade 1 company now and will need a good fist of improvement again, but he's clearly thriving.

11/1

1st

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wilful

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December; backed that up when second of 14 in another valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; likeable but he will need more again.

14/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Wilful

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; had nearly 3l to spare over the runner-up Hot Fuss and he's respected up 7lb.

15/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 154281 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Posted a career-best performance in series final at Musselburgh three weeks ago on only his second handicap attempt; may improve further on the back of that clearcut win; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

1st

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

17:00 Musselburgh

Kingston James

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Point/bumper winner who landed a Hexham novice (2m, good) in October but has a mixed record since and was only eighth of ten on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; edging down the weights and is still unexposed in this sphere but others are more convincing.

15/2

12/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 411344 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably on the Flat last time; generally consistent over hurdles but his limitations have been somewhat exposed since completing a winter double; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for current yard over fences at Southwell (2m4f) in November but only eighth back hurdling in 2m7f handicap here 17 days ago; visor and tongue-tie are retried now.

50/1

8th

8

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase last November but pulled up in his final chase and has finished last in two subsequent Flat starts; capable hurdler but hardly returns to this discipline at the top of his game.

25/1

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

Form: P-3633 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Dual Listed winner as a juvenile hurdler last term and has consistent handicap form this term, beaten only 2l at Taunton most recently; respected off a reduced mark (8lb lower than first handicap attempt).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Liari

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Fairly useful hurdler; 1-3 on the Flat in France early in 2023 and returned to this sphere with a front-running win in six-runner handicap at the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) in May, going clear about 4f out and staying clear; front-running in the 2m4f Ascot Handicap (33-1) one month later did not work out but he might still have more to offer on the Flat.

14/1

18th

10

(15)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Liari

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Fairly useful hurdler; 1-3 on the Flat in France early in 2023 and returned to this sphere with a front-running win in six-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) one month ago, going clear about 4f out and staying clear; up 7lb and into a much stronger race but he could have plenty more to offer.

20/1

1st

3

(2)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newmarket

Liari

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Fairly useful hurdler who was consistent last jumps season, albeit in defeat; has left Paul Nicholls (same owners); unexposed on Flat (1-3 in France early in 2023) and needs a second look.

11/2

Form: 324255

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent over hurdles but remains a maiden under this code and was about 12l behind the less-exposed Kingston James at Musselburgh most recently; another supporting role is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 9lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Without a win on the Flat since 2021 and he came in only ninth of 12 in 1m2f Ayr handicap 23 days ago; others appeal more.

9/1

9th

7

(5)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 8lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Largely consistent hurdler who returned to the Flat with respectable fourth (just behind Penelope's Sister) over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago; 1lb lower today and might be better suited by the slightly slower ground; each-way claims at least.

6/1

4th

4

(10)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ayr

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Overall record of 3-54 but he's been placed over hurdles in his last two runs and is well handicapped on his best Flat form in 2025; hard to rule out back in this sphere and he has won at this track.

12/1

Form: 1UPB54 D

Last run: 173 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Out of sorts in October when last seen but could well revive as he seems best in the spring; returns to hurdles off last winning mark, albeit that performance was over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lipa K

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Best known for his heroics at Bangor but showed career-best form when winning narrowly at Warwick (3m1f, good) last month; 3lb rise demands even more from him here; usual cheekpieces left off; tongue-tie added.

11/2

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Goes particularly well at Bangor but was runner-up at Aintree on final run in October (3m, good); however, a 3lb rise sees him on a career-high mark and he's been off a good while.

4/1

Form: 30-322 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Record of 0-6 for current yard but turn looks near, having finished clear second at Haydock and Newbury the last twice; possibilities, provided he takes well to first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

13:15 Doncaster

Lario

11st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Useful hurdler who is 1-1 over fences having won a four-runner beginners' chase at Haydock (2m4f, soft) on last month's reappearance; today's task is tougher and he has something to find, but he's unexposed over fences and at this sort of trip, and he may well have more to offer.

4/1

7th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Lario

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

disputed lead, prominent with one circuit to go, not fluent 4 out

11/2

7th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Lario

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

disputed lead, prominent with one circuit to go, not fluent 4 out

11/2

Form: 13238- D

Last run: 533 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has won over hurdles but not seen in this sphere since 2023; has subsequently remained an ordinary handicapper on the Flat; appears to face a difficult task at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(10)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Sisterandbrother

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Joey Ramsden

Dual AW winner whose most recent success came at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) last month; below his best at Chester last time but drops back into class 6 company with claims.

10/1

7th

3

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Sisterandbrother

10st 0lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Joey Ramsden

This year's four wins have been in Class 6s but it was very clearcut at Beverley (1m4f, good to form) three weeks ago when the cheekpieces were back on; he's still fairly treated off 4lb higher.

12/1

Form: FU2414 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
In good form since having wind surgery, opening his account in C&D contest then respectable fourth in a series final at Kelso; he's back at the scene of his win but this is a much better race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Ballyfort

10st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Made it two wins for the season when scoring over C&D (soft) in January and bounced back from lesser run here when 1l second of five over C&D (soft) last month; could give another good account but he needs to be better than ever back up in grade if he's to win today.

12/1

2nd

4

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:07 Ayr

Ballyfort

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins this season, on good ground at Kelso and soft over C&D; still on a competitive mark if a line can be put through his latest effort when tailed off over this C&D.

5/2

Form: 1541 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Juvenile hurdler who scored against his own age-group in Musselburgh handicap most recently, taking record under this code to 2-4; sole start at Ayr resulted in one of his Flat wins; major contender with further progress plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Short-headed when upped in trip at Ayr (2m, good) last month on his second stable start before winning here (2m, good); he's just 1lb higher than last time and could have more to offer over staying distances; respected.

8/1

1st

1

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Two solid efforts for new stable, latterly beaten a short head into second at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) 18 days ago; twice a winner over hurdles but this will be the first time he has tackled 2m on the Flat.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Inappropriate

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Ewan Whillans

Placed over hurdles this season and was third (albeit no match for wide-margin winner) in Cumberland Plate at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) when back on the Flat for new stable last month; respected off same mark in this easier race.

4/1

Form: O225B7

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Ex-French juvenile hurdler who is 0-5 in Britain but has fairly useful form and ran respectably in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham (on debut for new yard) most recently, eventually running out of steam having looked a big threat two out; interesting back down in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Static

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won at about 2m3f at Haydock (good to soft) and Bangor (good) and the combination of a deep race and the drop back to 2m found him out at Aintree; better expected here off what should still be a realistic mark.

10/1

11th

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Static

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

On a hat-trick after 2m3f wins at Haydock (good to soft) and Bangor (good) under Charlie Maggs last month but the fact he failed to win at around 2m on his first ten starts in Britain hardly boosts confidence in him for this drop back in trip.

18/1

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Static

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

It was a Class 4 he won at Haydock (good to soft; raced prominently) but that was his first time over this far since arriving from France and he's a willing partner; Charlie Maggs rides again off a 5lb higher mark.

3/1

Form: 20/69P D

Last run: 100 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Productive on the Flat last year but is far from solid on his form since returned to hurdles; best watched on return from 100-day layoff, unless the betting suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Bringbackmemories

10st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Iain Jardine

in rear

20/1

12th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Bringbackmemories

10st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Iain Jardine

in rear

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.70
Straight Forecast £23.95
Tricast £209.40
Trifecta £282.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Static

TOPSPEED:

Wilful

D Express:

Inappropriate

POSTDATA:

Liari

The Sun:

Kingston James

The Guardian:

Lario

The Star:

Ballyfort

Telegraph:

Ravenscraig Castle

RP RATINGS:

Static

The Times:

Static

Daily Mail:

Static

Daily Mirror:

Wilful

Daily Record:

Inappropriate

WEST COUNTRY:

Liari