Racecards
15:50 Ayr
John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £12,000 added
- Winner: £7,798
- 2nd: £2,290
- 3rd: £1,145
- 4th: £572
Tap Night (USA)
204- Form 231116-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up behind leaders, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, led last, just held on
- Form 4110-45
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer F P Murtagh
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
led, mistake 4th, headed after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form 151-5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up behind leaders, headway approaching 5th, challenging when not fluent 6th, soon led, not fluent 3 out, headed when mistake last, no extra flat
- Form 951-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey B S Hughes
tracked leader, mistake 4th, weakened 6th, well behind before 3 out, soon pulled up
- Form 10/1U4-1
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey E Whillans
tracked leaders, challenged 6th, every chance before 3 out, no extra from next
- Form F34-443
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey Graham Watters
held up, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well final 100 yards, just failed
In depth
Verdict
TAP NIGHT is having his first start since April but has won on the back of a layoff before and looks a cut above today's rivals. Last season's hat-rick culminated in a Grade 2 novice hurdle victory at Kelso and he can make a winning return in this. Perth winner Ubaltique ran as though needing the run last month and much better is expected today while Irish raider Auenschutze should be thereabouts. Un Guet Apens ended last season with a win over C&D and may improve past Kealigolane.
Formwatch
Tap Night (USA) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 19, 32l behind Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Kealigolane (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Led, headed 9th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 11, 44l behind Fill The Power (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Ubaltique (FR) 5-2 (10-13) Led, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Hinterland (11-10) at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) sft in Oct.
Un Guet Apens (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Made all, ridden last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Find A Key (11-3) by 4l, 8 ran.
Lady Bluesky 9-4 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden flat, kept on, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in May beating Tartan Snow (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Auenschutze (GER) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden from 3 out, 5th entering straight, went 3rd without threatening from last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Waaheb (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Oct.