Racecards
13:35 Ayr
Book Christmas Parties At Ayr Racecourse Novice Stakes (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,900 added
- Winner: £3,817
- 2nd: £1,136
- 3rd: £568
- 4th: £284

- Form 637
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer L Smyth
- Jockey T Hamilton
prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer I Jardine
- Jockey Jamie Gormley
held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, never on terms


- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer K Dalgleish
- Jockey G Lee
dwelt and went left start, outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, never a threat

- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer M Dods
- Jockey Callum Rodriguez
slowly into stride, mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on into 2nd inside final furlong, never reached winner

Epona
20- Form 23392
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer K Dalgleish
- Jockey Rowan Scott
made all, edged left under pressure over 1f out, stayed on well

Milabella
34- Form 99
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer R M Smith
- Jockey J P Sullivan
held up, outpaced halfway, some late headway, never nearer

- Form 00
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
in touch, lost place over 2f out

Warning Fire
14- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
chased winner, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, faded closing stages
In depth
Verdict
It was testing going when EPONA found one too good in a Class 2 handicap over course and distance last month. Keith Dalgleish’s filly gets the nod back in novice company as the only one proven on today’s ground. Warning Fire never threatened when third at Pontefract on her debut but can figure if handling the surface and is preferred to the remainder with racecourse experience. Jean Merci is a stablemate of the selection but fellow newcomer Pendleton is a half-brother to smart sprinter and stable companion Holmeswood and makes more appeal.
Formwatch
Bobs Authority (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Chased leader until entering final 2f, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Billy No Mates (8-13) at Ayr 6f stks (5) gd in Aug.
God Of Dreams 100-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 20l behind Lariat (9-2) at Ayr 1m stks (4) sft in Sep.
Gunnabedun (IRE) Gregorian colt out of Green Vision.
Jean Merci (FR) Panis gelding out of Fabulatrice.
Pendleton Garswood colt out of Anglezarke.
Epona 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Shallow Hal (9-3) at Ayr 6f (2) hvy in Sep.
Milabella 100-1 (8-8) Behind, struggling 3f out, never involved, last of 9, 19 1/4l behind Sky Defender (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f stks (4) gd in Sep.
Silver Pass (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, ran wide on bend after 3f, soon lost place and dropped to rear, eased, last of 14, dist behind Frosty (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Sep.
Warning Fire 9-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed 150 yards out, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Reloaded (9-5) at Pontefract 6f mdn stks (4) gd in Sep.
Caledonia Lass 66-1 (8-7) Awkwardly away, outpaced, never a factor, last of 8, 21 1/4l behind Billy No Mates (8-13) at Ayr 6f stks (5) gd in Aug.
Key To The Orient Orientor filly out of Key To Love.