Racecards
14:00 Ayr
BetVictor Cheltenham Festival Antepost Pioneers Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,899
- 2nd: £1,145
- 3rd: £572
- 4th: £286
- Form 2532-22
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Henry Brooke
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, challenged 10th, hit 12th, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat
- Form 472153
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey Jack Jordan
held up in last, hit 12th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd flat, not able to get on terms with winner
- Form P30605
- Age 10
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey John Winston
chased leaders, mistake 4th, driven after 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 344-P22
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey Grant Cockburn
tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, outpaced next, no impression 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
- Form 41F-141
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
made virtually all, not fluent 5th, hit 12th, ridden after 3 out, driven out flat
- Form P3F79-6
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer J T R Dreaper
- Jockey K M Donoghue
held up in 5th, headway 11th, not fluent next, close 3rd 3 out, no extra last
Verdict
Dannanceys Hill carries top weight in this handicap after one run in a novice chase. He has more scope than these but does have to overcome inexperience and several of his rivals arrive in decent form. Tipsy Dara has won at Hexham and Carlisle this season while The Magic Bishop beat ET MAINTENANT by half-a-length at Carlisle in October. However, Lucinda Russell's 11-year-old has since gone close over 3m here while Malcolm Jefferson's charge has been well beaten twice and, on worse terms, may struggle to confirm the form. Grant Cockburn's mount can gain a deserved victory today. The Hollinwell has always been a bit of an enigma and it's worth taking a chance that he won't suddenly rediscover his form here.
Formwatch
Dannanceys Hill (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) With winner, led 12th, mistake and headed 16th, ridden and beaten 2 out, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Rose Of The Moon (11-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
The Magic Bishop 9-4 (11-7) In rear and in touch, took keen hold, hit 9th, went 2nd before and hit 3 out, weakened run-in, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Whats Up Woody (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
The Hollinwell 28-1 (10-10) Led until 15th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Harris Hawk (9-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Et Maintenant (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, not fluent 8th, headway when not fluent 14th, mistake 4 out, hampered 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Overquest (10-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Tipsy Dara (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after last, led last 100 yards, kept on, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec beating Billy Cuckoo (11-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Radharc Na Mara (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) In rear, 9th 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 10, 18l behind Mr Goodenough (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Oct.