Racecards
13:10 Ayr
West Sound Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,498
- 2nd: £1,908
- 3rd: £954
- 4th: £477
- Form P-241
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leader, led 2 out, soon ridden, pressed last, driven out
- Form 011
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Danny Cook
held up in touch in last, headway 6th, went 3rd before 3 out, switched left before 2 out where not fluent, ridden and every chance when blundered last, edged right and stayed on flat, held towards finish
- Form 3-3212P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
led, pushed along before 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and one pace last, weakened flat
- Form 2-6564
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up in touch, pushed along after 6th, weakened before 3 out
- Form 9-52F6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer R T J Wilson
- Jockey T J O'Brien
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 630-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey R McGrath
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent and pecked 5th, weakened next
In depth
Verdict
DISCOVERY BAY is an improving novice and was most impressive when winning by 12 lengths at Wetherby last week. If he handles the ground, Brian Ellison's five-year-old should complete the hat-trick. King Of The Wolds is the probable danger on his victory at Wetherby in December as he can be excused his run over further at Sandown last time. Ballybogey hasn't been seen since scrambling home over track and trip in January, however, and fellow Irish raider Dr Moloney's form this year wouldn't be good enough.
Formwatch
Ballybogey (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, narrowly headed 5th, chased leader until approaching 3 out, ridden and left 2 lengths 2nd 2 out, driven to lead again last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Red Admirable (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Discovery Bay 6-4fav (10-12) Prominent in chasing group, challenge 4 out, led before 3 out, clear before last, eased run-in, won at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gd beating Yes Daddy (10-11) by 12l, 9 ran.
King Of The Wolds (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders until weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Close Touch (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) hvy in Mar, 16 ran.
Clondaw Flicka (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, plugged on and went 4th before last, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 31l behind Zuider Zee (11-1) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Dr Moloney (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear and keen hold, closed up 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 9, 13l behind Art Lord (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl.
Plus Jamais (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 9, 35l behind Eduard (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.