Friday 19th April 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates)
Ayr Grand National Meeting (Friday)
1.20 Ayr: Remus Uomo Handicap Hurdle: My first selection of the Ayr Grand National Meeting comes in the 1.20 on Friday which is a handicap hurdle contested over a distance of two miles. I like the chances of Phantomofthepoints here for David Pipe and Jack Tudor. He opened his account last time out at Chepstow in impressive style and looks like a potentially progressive sort. He’s also got form at Ayr having split the useful Florida Dreams and Joshua Des Flos here when finishing second in a maiden back in December. This is his toughest assignment assignment to date but he could have more to offer. Phantomofthepoints – 13/2 (Each-Way)
1.30 Fontwell: Bet £10 Get £10 At Yeeehaaa.Bet Maiden Hurdle: I move over to Fontwell now for the 1.30 which is a maiden hurdle that’s contested over two miles and three furlongs. This looks like a fantastic opportunity for All Authorised for Gary Moore and Niall Houlihan. He’s vastly experienced now over hurdles and whilst he’s yet to get his head in front he’s posted several respectful efforts when hitting the frame. It would be disappointing should he fail to get that elusive victory in what doesn’t look like a strong contest here. All Authorised – 4/5 (Win) (NAP)
1.50 Ayr: Consulting Mares’ Maiden Hurdle: Next up it’s the 1.50 which is a maiden hurdle set to be ridden over two miles. I’m with Lily Du Berlais here who represents Stuart Crawford and JJ Slevin. She’s a Grade 2 bumper winner and contested several hot graded novice events last season in Ireland. She made her return to the track at Catterick last month after nearly a year off the track when well beaten into second by the useful Sweet Fantasy. She likely needed the run that day though and she should be a lot sharper here, a race like this should be well within her grasp. Lily Du Berlais – 15/8 (Win)
2.20 Ayr: Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle: Moving onto the 2.20 now where we have more handicap hurdle action this time contested over three miles and half of a furlong. This looks to be all about Catch Him Derry for me for the team of Dan & Harry Skelton. He won on handicap debut at Southwell back in January before finishing a length and three-quarters behind subsequent Aintree winner and stablemate Gwennie May Boy last time out. That form speaks for itself and if he runs up that sort of level again here he should prove very tough to beat. Catch Him Derry – 5/2 (Win) (NB)
3.20 Ayr: Coral “We’re Here For It” Handicap Hurdle: The 3.20 is up next which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I like the chances of Doddiethegreat here for the team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He didn’t actually run a bad race in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham when the yard was going through an extremely tough spell, he travelled well enough before not really finding much at the business end of things. The Henderson string appears to be over that bad patch now and I think this eight-year-old has more to offer. He’ll contest this off the same mark as his solid fourth-placed effort in the Betfair Hurdle on his penultimate outing, and if he runs to that level again he has to go close. Doddiethegreat – 5/2 (Win)
3.55 Ayr: Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: My next comes in the 3.55 which is a handicap chase over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Rath Gaul Hill here for Samuel Drinkwater and Robert Dunne. He opened his account in handicaps last time out in a decent contest at Newbury last month in comfortable fashion. He’s been raised seven pounds for that effort but he gave the impression that day that he may not be finished winning just yet. This is a competitive assignment but he looks progressive and I think he can go close once again. Rath Gaul Hill – 3/1 (Win)
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