13:15 Fri 21 April 2023

REMUS UOMO HANDICAP HURDLE (3)

Distance 2m

Prize £9,506 Rated (0-130) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 15

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

Looking at the ratings, Traprain Law, Shelikesthelights, Afadil, and Forcing Bull are the top four rated horses in the race. Traprain Law has been in good form since having wind surgery and winning over C&D on good going most recently. He is versatile ground-wise and could continue to improve, so he is a strong contender. Shelikesthelights has been in excellent form since joining Fergal O’Brien, taking form figures of 211. She won easily at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last week on her handicap debut and is ahead of the assessor under a penalty, so she could be open to further progress. Afadil has performed well in 4yo handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and Ascot, finishing eighth of 21 and runner-up respectively. His latest effort was boosted by the winner, a stablemate, at Aintree last week. He is open to further improvement and is respected back against his elders. Forcing Bull has won his last two starts since having wind surgery and switching to hurdles, making all for wide-margin wins at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft). He is open to further progress but is going into deeper waters on handicap debut.

It is worth noting that Scots Poet might well have won at Musselburgh (2m1f, good to soft) four weeks ago but for getting the last two flights wrong. He jumped better when he won there in February, and if he has an error-free round, he could be a clear contender. It is also worth noting that Carole’s Pass has won over hurdles twice but has come up short in two Listed races since, the latest in France. She drops back in class, but others look better treated on balance of form.

Overall, Traprain Law, Shelikesthelights, Afadil, and Forcing Bull are the top-rated horses and have the best chances of winning. Scots Poet and Carole’s Pass are also worth considering, especially if they perform to their best abilities.

13:50 Fri 21 April 2023

LARGS LADIES LWOB NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (3)

Distance 3m 70y

Prize £8,450 Rated (0-135) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 9

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

Looking at the ratings, the top four horses are Young Buster, Twin Power, Prairie Wolf, and Rocky Man. Young Buster has the highest total points and is currently the favorite at 3/1 odds. He won comfortably on his last start at Ffos Las and is bred to stay, but this is a tougher race. Twin Power is another horse who has won over 2m4f and could do well over the longer trip. He may have struggled on heavy ground last time out, but the good to soft conditions today should suit him better. Prairie Wolf has been running well with cheekpieces on, and his stamina is a plus. Rocky Man is from a top yard and has a good record here, and the first-time cheekpieces could help him today.

It’s worth noting that Brandy McQueen is a front-runner who has won twice this year and has returned to form with a creditable seventh of 23 in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival. He drops down in grade off the same mark and could make another bold bid.

Atlanta Brave won twice over hurdles in January but was soundly beaten on his last start. However, he could benefit from the step up in trip, and his light racing record suggests there could be more to come.

Langdale Lane has potential off his handicap debut mark, and his win in a maiden here has been boosted. He wasn’t stopping at the line, so the longer trip may suit him.

Swallows Song is very lightly raced and has finished in the first three on all three hurdle starts. He’s still improving, but this is a warm race.

In summary, the top four rated horses have the best chances of winning, with Young Buster and Twin Power the two favorites. However, the front-runner Brandy McQueen and the unexposed Imperial Merlin should not be overlooked, while Atlanta Brave and Langdale Lane also have potential.

14:25 Fri 21 April 2023

QUIZ CLOTHING NOVICES’ HURDLE (3)

Distance 2m 4f 100y

Prize £8,168 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 5

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

In the 2.25 Ayr, Hugos New Horse leads the ratings with a total of 518 points and is the odds-on favorite at 15/8. He has been consistent, winning four times in a row before finishing third in the EBF Handicap Final at Sandown last month. Persian Time has a total of 461.6 points and is priced at 100/30. He was pulled up at the Grade 1 Ballymore at Cheltenham but has shown promise in his first two hurdle runs at Ascot. Passing Well, Idalko Bihoue, and Hourvari complete the field.

Hourvari has shown major improvement when upped in trip, winning two races in succession at Lingfield and Market Rasen. Hugos New Horse is a leading contender for his top stable and has been in good form, while Persian Time is lightly raced and could bounce back from his disappointing run at Cheltenham. Passing Well needs to bounce back from a poor run at Haydock, and Idalko Bihoue drops back in grade after being pulled up in his last two starts.

15:00 Fri 21 April 2023

HILLHOUSE QUARRY HANDICAP CHASE (2)

Distance 2m 4f 110y

Prize £26,015 Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 7

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

In the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr, the top-rated horses are Dubai Days, Baron De Midleton, Richmond Lake, and Saint Calvados. Dubai Days is a three-time winner at Ayr on good-soft ground and won last time out at Carlisle, but needs to put up a career-best performance to win. Baron De Midleton is in form, having won his last two races following wind surgery and is effective over this trip and on good ground. Richmond Lake is a progressive 7yo who won easily at Haydock on his last outing and may have more to offer, while Saint Calvados has dropped to an attractive mark but has been well below his best on his three starts this season.

Bass Rock needs to bounce back after a disappointing performance here in February, but had previously made a promising start to his chasing career. Christopher Wood needs to produce more than when second in novice chases the last twice, but may have more to offer now back up in trip. Killer Clown is hard to fancy on the back of his last two performances but is capable of bouncing back from below-par efforts.

Baron De Midleton, Dubai Days, and Richmond Lake have all won at least twice over fences, making them experienced and reliable over the larger obstacles. Baron De Midleton and Richmond Lake have both won recently, indicating that they are in good form, while Dubai Days has a good record at Ayr.

Factors that may be overlooked by the overall rating include the fact that Baron De Midleton’s trainer has won three of the last nine runnings of this race, while Saint Calvados has won a Grade 2 at Sandown last April.

15:35 Fri 21 April 2023

CORAL RACING CLUB SEAFIELD TROPHY MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (2)

Distance 3m 70y

Prize £15,609 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 9

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

In the Coral Racing Club Seafield Trophy, Get A Tonic is the highest rated horse with 410.9 total points and comes from a top yard. She won this race last year and finished second in a hurdle at Haydock in November 2022. Great Snow has been progressive this season and has a good chance of being in the mix. Charm Offensive won three times here last year and ran well at Kelso in December, while Sabrina has had some good runs recently and is a contender for the leading yard.

Aubis Walk is an interesting contender who was impressive in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield but failed to settle on her handicap debut at Newbury. She may bounce back on the better ground. Bellatrixsa ran well for a long way in the 3m6f NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and is well handicapped on last season’s hurdle form. Ebonello has not been in great form but has shown promise on good ground and may improve on the step up in trip.

Aurora Thunder has struggled to be competitive in recent runs but has run well off higher marks in the last two runnings of this race. Jasmiwa is open to further improvement if handling conditions, but there is a question mark regarding the drying ground.

Overall, Get A Tonic, Great Snow, Charm Offensive, and Sabrina are the top-rated horses, but Aubis Walk and Bellatrixsa are interesting contenders who may bounce back from their recent runs. Ebonello and Aurora Thunder also have potential, while Jasmiwa is a bit of a wildcard.

16:10 Fri 21 April 2023

SEKO LOGISTICS SCOTLAND NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (3)

Distance 2m 110y

Prize £8,186 Rated (0-130) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 8

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

Looking at the ratings, the top four horses in the race are One Mill Harbour (FR), Escapeandevade (IRE), Snowy Clouds (IRE), and Grand Voyage (FR). Of these, One Mill Harbour has the highest total points, with a rating of 399.3, and is also the favorite at odds of 100/30.

Escapeandevade has a rating of 393.1 and has won over course and distance in the past, making him a strong contender. Snowy Clouds has won his last two races and has a 7lb penalty, but this is a tougher race than his last outing. Grand Voyage has been consistent and has a tongue-tie added for the first time, which could help him improve.

It’s worth noting that Champ De Gane (FR) has been a runner-up twice in a row over course and distance and was 10l ahead over C&D last month when falling at the final fence. Although he was well beaten at Carlisle a fortnight ago, it was due to a bad mistake three out. He retains potential and shouldn’t be overlooked.

As for the suitability for today’s conditions, the race is run over 2m½f on Good to Soft ground, and most of the horses in the field have won on similar conditions. However, One Mill Harbour and Escapeandevade have only won on heavy ground in the past, so it remains to be seen how they will handle the going.

In terms of jockey and trainer ratings, none of the horses have particularly standout connections, but it’s worth noting that One Mill Harbour is trained by the in-form Donald McCain and is ridden by champion jockey Brian Hughes.

Overall, it looks like a competitive race, but One Mill Harbour, Escapeandevade, Snowy Clouds, and Grand Voyage are the top contenders according to the ratings. Champ De Gane could also be a threat if he bounces back from his last run.

16:45 Fri 21 April 2023

THISTLE CABS GROUP HANDICAP HURDLE (3)

Distance 3m 70y

Prize £8,450 Rated (0-125) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 14

Going Good to Soft (Good In Places)

Looking at the ratings, Quick Draw (IRE) has the highest total points of 440.5 and is currently priced at 6/1. Milan Bridge (IRE) is second highest with 362.7 points and priced at 13/2. Don Hollow (GER) has 353.5 points and is priced at 11/1 while City Derby (IRE) has 348.8 points and is also priced at 11/1.

Quick Draw has shown good form over fences this season, winning two races in a row over staying trips. Although he pulled up in his last chase at Kempton, he has run well over staying distances in the past and could be a player if bouncing back to form over hurdles.

Milan Bridge has had a mixed season over fences but reverts to hurdles off a lower mark than when a good second at Aintree on his reappearance. He has previously shown good form over hurdles and could be a contender if he returns to that level of form.

Don Hollow disappointed on his handicap debut at Kempton but has previously won a bumper and a maiden hurdle. He is lightly raced and in good hands, so he could have more to offer than he showed last time.

City Derby has dropped down the weights and returned to form with a win at Wetherby. The 5lb rise in the weights might not be harsh and he could go well if he reproduces that performance.

It’s worth noting that Ladronne has had a good season over fences, with two wins, and is on a handy mark on the pick of his chase form. He was a fair fifth at Wetherby in February on his sole hurdle start since March 2020 but he needs to prove he’s just as talented in this discipline as he is over fences.

Shadows In The Sky went close behind Community Rebel on rules debut and is lightly raced. Brian Hughes is booked for this handicap debut, so he could be a lively outsider.

In terms of the conditions, Quick Draw and Aramax have been versatile ground-wise in the past, while Milan Bridge has previously shown good form on good to soft ground. Atacanter and Off To A Flyer could benefit from a step up in trip, while Kingfisher Lane may be worth a second look despite recent poor form given the record of the yard at Ayr.

Overall, Quick Draw, Milan Bridge, Don Hollow, and City Derby look to have the best chances of winning based on their ratings and recent form. However, other factors such as suitability for the conditions and jockey/trainer ratings could also come into play, so it’s worth keeping an eye on Ladronne and Shadows In The Sky as potential outsiders.