Racecards
14:20 Ayr
John Smith's Novices' Handicap Chase (Class E )
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy
- Form 113140
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey R McGrath
always towards rear, jumped slow 5th, pulled up before next
Harben (FR)
25- Form 2P0336
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey G Thomas
chased leaders until hit 5th and lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 414P-53
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
held up, outpaced and reminders 6th, headway on outer approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden out
- Form 0046-04
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey P Robson
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden next, kept on approaching last
Gofagold
4- Form 53336-U
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey K Renwick
in touch, headway to chase leaders 4th, ridden to lead 3 out, not fluent, soon headed, mistake last, one pace
- Form 336/252
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey B P Harding
led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on from next
- Form 00-2063
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 83
headway to chase leaders 4 out, close up when fell 3 out
Compadre
11- Form 35-F633
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey N Mulholland
towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden next, kept on from next
Killer (FR)
60- Form P/3P-P0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
with leader until lost place approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
In depth
Verdict
Jolika may be worth chancing first time out over fences and is marginally preferred to Gargoyle Girl and Compadre. The last mentioned was a shade disappointing when favourite for a race at Newcastle earlier in the month won by The Vulcan but had shown enough previously to suggest that he could take a hand in a race of this nature off his current mark. Compadre certainly makes more appeal than stablemate Ideal du Bois Beury who has become rather frustrating. With Richard Guest's runners continuing in good form College City has to be respected, while Gofagold was still in contention when unseating Wilson Renwick at Carlisle on Wednesday and cannot be discounted. Top weight Gargoyle Girl has been highly tried and may appreciate this drop in class and is another worthy of consideration but preference is for Jolika. The daughter of Grand Tresor is the clear stable first string ahead of Brave Lord and Len Lungo's mare would not need to improve much on hurdles form, if at all, to win this. She is sure to have been well schooled for her debut over the larger obstacles and is taken to make a winning start to her new career.