Racecards
13:40 Ayr
Ayr New Year 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Soft
- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs S Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
in touch, led after 6th, headed 9th, ridden and soon weakened
- Form 040-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Billinge
- Jockey M H Naughton
in touch, ridden and weakened 8th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 310-62
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey D N Russell
towards rear, headway to lead 9th, ridden 3 out, headed next and weakened approaching last
- Form 23
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, effort after 6th, soon ridden, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 44-54
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A Whillans
- Jockey I Jardine
tracked leaders, headway to lead 2 out, shaken up run in and drew clear
- Form PC-12
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Garritty
mid-division, headway 8th to go in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey Jim Crowley
towards rear, effort 5th, lost touch 9th, pulled up before next
- Form 114-FF
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey R McGrath
mid-division, ridden and chased leading pair 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
- Form 5-000
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs J Oliver
- Jockey G Berridge
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly 8th, lost touch, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 3-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Turner
- Jockey J P McNamara
led, headed after 6th, stayed in touch, weakened 8th, soon beaten
In depth
Verdict
Island Faith is improving with experience as he showed here last time when runner-up in a similar event over 2m4f. However, the combination of an extra quarter-of-a-mile in testing ground could stretch his stamina limitations to breaking point. Almire Du Lia ws a close second over course and distance last time but that was a weak event and more is required here while Sylviesbuck will handle the conditions but lacks any hurdling experience so preference is for Kidithou. Lennie Lungo's charge caught the eye when making steady headway from the rear to finish a closing third over 2m4f at Carlisle in late November. proven in the mud and sure to improve for the step up in trip, the son of Royal Charter will prove hard to beat.