Racecards
15:15 Ayr
Alexander Morton Homes Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
Nobel (FR)
76- Form 1U-6531
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey Miss R Davidson
held up, mistakes 6th and 7th, headway after 4 out, ridden and weakened next
- Form 4P6UP3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 98
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 1-64362
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer Mrs S C Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out
Dalawan
95- Form 5-22975
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey T J Dreaper
held up in rear, ridden 7th, weakened after 4 out
- Form 8009-92
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 87
held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression after
- Form 8793P3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey T Messenger
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last
- Form 0P44P0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey P Aspell
held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Form P09U45
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 4 out
Hapthor
80- Form PP405P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer F Jestin
- Jockey B S Hughes
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra towards finish
- Form P042PP
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey P Kinsella
with leader, weakened after 4 out
In depth
Verdict
Nobel can defy topweight at the expense of Lampion du Bost, Lutin du Moulin and Powerlove. Trainer Nicky Richards saddles the two at the top of the handicap here, but preference is very much for Nobel, the mount of Rose Davidson, and the fact that she can claim seven-pounds is a bonus. The five-year-old, owned by Rose's parents, came good under today's pilot on only his fifth British start at Musselburgh in January, and although the going was faster then, he will have no problems encountering any soft patches that remain, having won with cut in the ground in France. Quite simply, he remains open to plenty of improvement and should follow up. Lampion du Bost gave an encouraging performance when second over slightly shorter here, and may well uphold that form over Lutin du Moulin who was a head behind in third. Neither have impressed greatly though, and a bigger danger may well be Powerlove who continues to progress as proved by her promising run when second at Musselburgh in January. None make as much appeal though as Nobel who can take the prize, if you'll pardon the pun.
Formwatch
Nobel (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, led last and ran on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jan beating Oscar The Boxer (10-5) by 3l, 10 ran.
Lutin du Moulin (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed approaching next, kept on, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Morgan Be (11-9) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Powerlove (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Reem Two (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Dalawan 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, jumped right 8th, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 33l behind Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Dec.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, kept on well from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Morgan Be (11-9) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Bromley Abbey 33-1 (10-9) Chased winner, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Merryvale Man (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
King's Envoy (USA) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost touch from 6th, 11th of 15, well behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Cash Bonanza (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laertes (11-2) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb, 16 ran.