16:30 Ayr

Friday 19 April 2024

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:3017:00

GS Group 'Hands & Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders) (Div 1)

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 5m 18.27s

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Selected odds by:

Quest With Speed⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: P Hanlon⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 122

28/1

Made a winning return in a Limerick maiden in November and, after a couple of lesser efforts, back on track when third in handicap at Naas (18.5f, soft) in January. Matched that level when fourth of 7 at Clonmel on chase debut last time, but more needed back hurdling.

Form: 6-17734

Don't Tell Su²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Charlie Sprake⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

5/1

Fairly useful bumper winner and has run to a similar level over hurdles, placing on his first 3 starts before recording an easy success in a Wincanton maiden (15.2f, heavy) 23 days ago. Can make his presence felt back up in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 51-2321

Rocky Man^p⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| D

22/1

Looked promising sent handicapping at the beginning of last season, but signed off with a poor run at this meeting and has yet to fire in 3 starts during the current campaign. Has dropped below his last winning mark, but has something to prove at present.

Form: P38-03P

Front View^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Benjamin Macey⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 114

12/1

Useful hurdler/chaser for Joseph O'Brien back in 2020/21 and, having dropped in the weights, has made the frame over hurdles on his last 4 starts. No match for the winner when second at Exeter (21.6f, heavy) last month, but he's not discounted from his current mark.

Form: 763242

Voix Du Reve^p⁷⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Dominic Hislop⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 112| CD

28/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark when winning this race last year and shaped encouragingly early in the current campaign, a bad mistake 3 out putting paid to his chances at Musselburgh in November. However, has run poorly on his last 2 starts, so bounce back called for.

Form: 1-649P8

Follow Charlie²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Smith⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 106| CD

11/2

Has done well since handicapping, off the mark at this C&D in January and travelling powerfully when doubling his tally back here in March. Ran at least as well when fourth at Carlisle (19.3f, soft) last time and he can give another good account.

Form: 421414

Billytherealbigred³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Gearoid Harney| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112

9/4

Made a winning handicap debut at Leicester in January on his final run for Evan Williams and has picked up where he left off for his current yard, going on to land the hat-trick with odds-on successes at Warwick and Market Rasen (18.6f, heavy). Not taken lightly.

Form: 2U3111

Plaisir Des Flos²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Fern O'Brien| T: F O'Brien| OR: 101| D

11/4

Has left his previous efforts behind switched to handicaps, opening his account at Sedgefield in March before following up at Wincanton (19.8f, heavy) 15 days later. Came clear with a handicap debutant last time and he can make another bold bid.

Form: 658011

Beat The Retreat^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Whelan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 91| C

14/1

Took a step forward when winning handicap here (18f, soft) in December but has struggled for consistency since, one of his lesser efforts when pulled up at this C&D in March. Others more persuasive.

Form: 2-4173P

Non-Runners

Kajaki¹⁹⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 11

T: N G Richards J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Billytherealbigred (9/4), Plaisir Des Flos (11/4), Don't Tell Su (5/1), Follow Charlie (11/2), Front View (12/1), Beat The Retreat (14/1), Kajaki (16/1), Rocky Man (22/1), Voix Du Reve (28/1), Quest With Speed (28/1)

PLAISIR DES FLOS has shown much improved form in handicaps on his last 2 starts, scoring with a bit in hand at Wincanton last time, and he can continue his progress to land the hat-trick. Billytherealbigred also arrives unbeaten since going handicapping and is respected in his bid for the 4-timer, with Don't Tell Su also considered.