13:45 Ayr

Tuesday 14 February 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Valentine's Day Conditional Jockeys' Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 16.43s

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Selected odds by:

Animore^p⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 101| BF| D

9/1

Down in the weights and took a step back in the right direction when narrowly denied at Kelso in September. Test of speed against her at Musselburgh last month and this is an easier race.

Form: 474524

Dot Cotton^h1,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: William Shanahan⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 98

14/1

Fair ex-Irish maiden. Hinted at a revival when third of 9 in 2m handicap here in December but disappointing back up in trip last month. Hood now reached for.

Form: 624937

Lone Star^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 92| D

6/4

Well backed a couple of occasions before finally coming good back in trip at Newcastle in December. That form well advertised since and she lost little in defeat against a progressive one at Market Rasen. Major claims from same mark.

Form: 552412

Dolly Dancer^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 89| D

18/1

Won over fences at Hexham in June but has lost her way since, including back over hurdles on the back of a wind op last month.

Form: 2P6556

Reve De Niamh^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 89WS

18/1

Runner-up in a Taunton bumper back last January (only outing for Fergal O'Brien) but little promise in novice/handicap hurdles this season. Hopes rest on a breathing operation.

Form: 2-26780

Poppy Rose³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 89

6/1

Down in the weights and offered a bit more when third of 8 at Sedgefield (16.8f) latest. Shaped as though worth a go at this trip and she's not yet exposed.

Form: 80B-F43

Topkapi Star^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 88

8/1

Ended a long losing run in 4-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (23.9f, 15/8) in September. Drop to 19.7f looked against her at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. One of the likelier candidates.

Form: 635F17

Your Place^v³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: P W Wadge⁽⁶⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 82WS

13/2

Long-standing maiden who spurned a golden opportunity at Kelso in November, idling and collared close home. Disappointing effort at this venue last month and she's undergone wind surgery.

Form: 667P28

Brave Bairn^h⁵¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlotte Jones| T: C Bissett| OR: 78

50/1

Modest at best in bumpers for Oliver Sherwood. Similar story in 4 hurdles for Nick Alexander (handicap debut latest) but she's best watched returning for a new yard after 17 months off the track.

Form: 75/F638-

Joanna I'm Fine⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Alexander Thorne| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 70

8/1

Maiden who ran much better than previously in handicaps when third on return here (3m) in October. Failed to back that up at Musselburgh and out of the weights again.

Form: 0206-30

Halcyon Dreams^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Aaron Anderson| T: K Scott| OR: 68

66/1

Long-standing maiden who is 6 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 9764UP

Non-Runners

Atlantic Dancer³⁰

Weight: 11-9| Age: 10

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Lone Star (6/4), Poppy Rose (6/1), Your Place (13/2), Joanna I'm Fine (8/1), Topkapi Star (8/1), Atlantic Dancer (8/1), Animore (9/1), Dot Cotton (14/1), Reve De Niamh (18/1), Dolly Dancer (18/1), Brave Bairn (50/1), Halcyon Dreams (66/1)

LONE STAR arrives in top form, successful at Newcastle before finding only a very progressive rival too strong at Market Rasen and from an unchanged mark, her claims are fairly obvious. Poppy Rose looks ready for this trip and is second choice, with Animore another to consider down in class.