14:40 Ayr

Tuesday 29 November 2022

All12:0012:3513:1013:4014:1014:4015:10

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 23.71s

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Selected odds by:

Spark Of Madness^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 104| C| D

18/1

Winning start over fences at Perth (2m) in May and improved upped to this trip when doubling his chase tally in a 4-runner Newcastle handicap (good) recently. Nudged up just 2 lb and represents last year's winning trainer-jockey combination.

Form: 45-1441

Caboy^p,t²¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 101| DWS

11/1

Winless since scoring over fences in France back in 2018 but was placed twice here following a wind op during the spring. Has undergone another round of wind surgery since latest start and not discounted, for all that Spark of Madness appears to be the stable No 1.

Form: 23252-3

Bak Rocky^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: A M Thomson| OR: 99

15/8

Failed to progress over hurdles but positive start over fences (first run following a wind op) when runner-up at Kelso (17f, good to soft) last month. Remains on an attractive mark up 1 lb and open to improvement in this sphere, particularly now that he moves back up in trip.

Form: 29956-2

The Electrician^p¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 94| D

20/1

Modest maiden over hurdles but got his head in front at the second attempt in this sphere at Hexham (2½m, soft) in May. Proved that no fluke when runner-up over the same C&D next time and likely to get involved provided he's ready to roll following a break.

Form: 02P-812

Ardera Cross^p²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 91| C| D

20/1

Dual 2m winner here last winter (both on heavy) but rather hit-and-miss since, including back at this course over hurdles last time, and couldn't be sure that he'll benefit from this step back up in trip.

Form: 524356

Gandhi Maker¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 89| BF

9/1

Irish point winner who ran easily his best race under Rules when collared close home in a C&D handicap chase last month (bad mistake 3 out probably cost him the race). Found to be lame following low-key Market Rasen display since and this 6-y-o is well worth another chance.

Form: 777-P25

Asking For Answers^v²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 87| C

20/1

Appeared to take a step back in the right direction when hitting the crossbar on return at Hexham (2½m, soft) last month. However, subsequent effort there was uninspiring and others make greater appeal.

Form: P4P0-25

Lisloran³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Ross| OR: 83

10/3

Maiden pointer who showed a bit on hurdles bow at Kelso in January but has done little right since and was well beaten on chase debut over C&D last month.

Form: 3676-07

Diakosaint^p,t²⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 77

4/1

Winning Irish pointer who bettered previous Rules form when placed in handicaps hurdles at Bangor (23f) and Sedgefield (27f) last winter. Perhaps combining the cheekpieces/tongue strap here will help on chase debut/first run for new yard but improvement is certainly needed.

Form: 906/033-

Old Jewry^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Bourke| OR: 69| D

50/1

No signs of a revival in 5 starts since returning to action in September and he's 9 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: 607876

Bannside^b1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 69

18/1

Poor form over hurdles and hasn't looked any better in this sphere following 3 attempts. Tried in cheekpieces last time and connections now roll the dice with blinkers.

Form: 676F-67

Diamond Road^p1³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 66

250/1

Yet to show any worthwhile form and looks set for another struggle from 16 lb out of the handicap.

Form: PP/0-P5P

Forecasts

Bak Rocky (15/8), Lisloran (10/3), Diakosaint (4/1), Gandhi Maker (9/1), Caboy (11/1), Spark Of Madness (18/1), Bannside (18/1), Ardera Cross (20/1), The Electrician (20/1), Asking For Answers (20/1), Old Jewry (50/1), Diamond Road (250/1)

BAK ROCKY and Gandhi Maker both remain open to improvement over fences and could be the pair to concentrate on. A line can be drawn through the latter's latest run and he is of strong interest based on his chase debut second over C&D last month. However, preference is for Bak Rocky, who was a good second to Heritier (winner again since) on his first start in this sphere at Kelso and moving back up in trip here will be very much in his favour. The Electrician is best of the rest.