Racecards
14:10 Ayr
West Sound Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,498
- 2nd: £1,908
- 3rd: £954
- 4th: £477
- Form 1-62215
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey Mr S Crawford
led, ridden and 1 length up when dived left, mistake and unseated rider last
- Form 252213
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up in 4th, closed before 2 out, left close 2nd just after last, left in lead when nearest rival hampered soon after, ran on well
- Form 414111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, 1 length down when hampered and left in lead last, soon headed and continued to be hampered and carried left by loose horse, unable to recover
- Form 46-04
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey J Reveley
tracked leader until ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 6-19521
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey K Renwick
Nonrunner
Verdict
Southern raiders VIBRATO VALTAT and Sign Of A Victory could dominate this opener. The former is conceding 4lb to the latter but has some smart form to his name, including victory in a Listed event at Exeter and a third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Crucially, he is also proven on ground with plenty of give whereas further rain might not suit Nicky Henderson's charge, though he was impressive on good to soft at Newbury last month. Mister Nibbles found Grade 2 company too hot last time but is still preferred to Carlisle scorer Voyage A New York of the others.
Formwatch
Mister Nibbles (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, no impression after, 5th of 10, 23l behind Clever Cookie (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up towards rear on inside, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to 3rd run-in, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Baltimore Rock (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Mar.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 4 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, led on bit before last, soon clear, very easily, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Huff And Puff (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Molly Milan 16-1 (10-12) Led until jumped slow 1st, tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, in 4th and weakened before last, 4th of 10, 15l behind Rev Up Ruby (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Voyage A New York (FR) 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked leader, left in lead 5 out, headed 2 out, rallied to regain lead run-in, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Quick Brew (10-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.