Racecards
13:25 Ayr
Martnaham Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 3/211-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
held up in touch, blundered badly 7th, good headway to lead after 4 out, ridden clear approaching last
- Form 2-53140
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer Mrs S Bradburne
- Jockey P Aspell
close up, led briefly 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
- Form 0P1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Jim Crowley
always behind, mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 0P-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
close up, ridden and weakened from 7th
- Form 05-060
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey B P Harding
chased leaders to3rd, weakened from 7th
- Form 500
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey J R Ryan
held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out
- Form 515/524
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs J McGregor
- Jockey D C Costello
in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, blundered badly last, pulled up
- Form 620455
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Miss S Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
disputed lead, headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 2222/4P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey V T Keane
held up behind, weakened from 7th
In depth
Verdict
Paddy The Piper, Only Once and Geri Roulette looks the three to concentrate on in a competitive start to the card and the vote goes to Paddy The Piper. Len Lungo sets a poser here by sending two progressive sorts to the start in the shape of Paddy The Piper and the unbeaten Only Once. The selection won well last time out at Kelso when defeating Kimbambo by an easy five lengths, and with stable jockey Tony Dobbin on board he looks the one to beat. His stable-mate Only Once is unbeaten in two chases to date and it's interesting to note that his shrewd trainer switches him to novice hurdles here. But this may be a stepping stone before being sent back over the larger obstacles. Geri Roulette showed improved form to defeat Double Deal at Newcastle last time, but that was on heavy ground and her form on a slightly firmer surface suggests she has a bit to find. Of the remainder, Speed Kris has shown a modicum of ability in better races and could run well at a price, but for the winner we return to Paddy The Piper.