Racecards
12:55 Ayr
Ayrshire Post Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class E )
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Form 253-624
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
always handy, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
Relix (FR)
58- Form 0P0-50
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey B P Harding
held up towards rear, ridden approachong 3 out, stayed on one pace
- Form 060
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 93
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
Birdwatch
23- Form 235-600
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey R McGrath
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
- Form PP40
- Age 4
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 92
always towards rear
- Form 00-540
- Age 4
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer F P Murtagh
- Jockey D C Costello
always towards rear
- Form 5-450P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer A R Dicken
- Jockey N Hannity
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 5th, soon beaten and pulled before 3 out
Ben Britten
47- Form 0-06
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
always towards rear
Bridge Pal
22- Form 554
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey N Mulholland
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon no extra
- Form 6/546-45
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey P Robson
always handy, ridden and led approaching 3 out, kept on
Blue Morning
22- Form 0P-P100
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey Mr E Whillans
led until headed after 6th, soon ridden and gradually weakened
- Form 064
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 84
mid-division, headway approaching 6th to chase leaders, ridden next, weakening when blundered 2 out
- Form 00-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey S Marshall
always behind
- Form 0P005-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey Mr M J McAlister
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out and soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
There are very few that you can get excited about in this on known form so from a shortlist of Master Sebastian, Bridge Pal and Bramantino, we will side with Master Sebastian. With so little form to work on, we are going to place our faith in the handicapper and, because he has apportioned the highest rating to the selection, that is good enough for us. In fact, if he runs to the level of form that saw him finish second at Kelso on November 10, he would hold leading claims today. Ben Britten was 19-and-a-half lengths behind him on that occasion but does have a 13lb weight pull. Bridge Pal was a fair fourth last time, also at Kelso, and that form gives him claims and Blue Morning could also bag some money, even though he has only won a seller. One potential improver is Bramantino, as this three-time middle-distance Flat winner has hinted at ability. For today, though, we will side with Master Sebastian.