Ayr - Monday 23rd February 2026
Having been held up in his first two chasing attempts, ORKNEY BLUE was the beneficiary of a more positive ride at Carlisle last time. Nick Alexander's charge is 6lb higher now but remains open to further improvement and he receives a confident vote. Blakey Boy has been knocking on the door of late and is the main threat, ahead of Rob Roy Macgregor.
Each of these arrive with some kind of chance, but it is STRIDE ON that gets the nod. The Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore inmate chased home a 132-rated rival here in November and had excuses when a beaten favourite at Carlisle the following month. If the break has freshened him up, he ought to go close. Irish Champ and Zamek head the list of dangers.
Tommy Combats recorded a comfortable success over an extended 2m here last month and is respected given that, but JACCOURS is preferred. Connections waste no time in sending the Gris De Gris gelding over a fence having won his maiden hurdle at Ffos Las recently and that could unlock even greater progress. Veteran Dubai Days has struggled this term, but a drop in class should aid his cause.
The Irish challenger GREEN HOPE failed to complete over 2m4f on hurdles debut but showed his true colours at Down Royal last month. Dropped in trip, the five-year-old found plenty in the closing stages to open his account over timber and further improvement looks on the cards. The convincing winner of a maiden hurdle at Southwell, Next Twist found one too good in testing conditions here last time. He looks the main danger with Linalene perhaps best of the remainder back on soft ground.
THE JEWELLER'S PET won this off a similar mark last year and signalled a return to form back over C&D last time. Not beaten far in third on that occasion, a bold bid is anticipated from Ian Duncan's charge with the underfoot conditions also in his favour. The Navigator landed a double on faster going at Kelso last autumn, but Diamond Geezer may prove a bigger threat fresh from a convincing success under Sean Bowen here last time.
Kilaro won a bumper at Musselburgh prior to disappointing at Newcastle last time and a hood is applied for this. Kingsman Mail failed to build on his promising second here when well beaten on his return to the track, so a chance is taken on JARDIN DE TUNIS. Related to jumps winners in France, the Irish point-to-point winner debuts for the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's yard and may prove good enough on his Rules debut.
ORKNEY BLUE is coming off an improved effort, getting off the mark at the third attempt over fences at Carlisle last time. He scored with a bit in hand then and a 6lb rise seems fair with further improvement likely so he's taken to follow up. Blakey Boy has finished runner-up on both completed starts over fences and looks the one most likel to give the selection a race, although Rob Roy Macgregor is proving consistent despite still being a maiden and he should go well once more off what looks a fair mark.
STRIDE ON had a valid excuse when flopping at Carlisle last time and his earlier promise is worth remembering. Winner of a Newcastle bumper before running a promising second to a smart prospect of Nicky Richards over 2m here on hurdles debut, this trip really ought to suit and he can get his head back in front. Irish Champ looks a big threat on his Leopardstown run over the festive period and the drop to 2m didn't suit him last time. Back at this trip he should have a big chance. Zamek has undergone a wind op since his last run and also gets a first-time tongue-tie which could help him on this step up in trip.
BIG JOHN WAYNE faced a tough task here on his chasing debut back from over a year off, predictably struggling over a trip short of his best, but he wasn't far off his hurdles debut and, with that run expected to bring him on plenty, this former point winner is taken to breakthrough over fences. Tommy Combats is up 6lb for winning over 2m here last time and he won't have any issue with the step back up in trip. He is a legitimate threat to the selection, as is Jaccours who got off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las last time and brings plenty of potential to fences.
This looks a match between Next Twist and GREEN HOPE with there being a slight preference for the Irish runner who improved nicely on his debut effort to cause a shock at Down Royal last time. He made all on that occasion and could again dominate this small field. Next Twist holds solid claims himself, having run well under a penalty when second over C&D last time, perhaps just found out by the heavy ground. It should be close between the two, with Linalene third choice but having plenty to find with the market leaders.
Eloi Du Puy was no match for DIAMOND GEEZER over C&D two weeks ago and is again expected to be put in his place despite a 6lb pull at the weights. The selection stormed clear late, showing improved form, and is taken to defy a 7lb rise. Nellie Bluesky narrowly failed to Sedgefield last time, when hitting the line hard, and the nature of this course, with the long, galloping straight should suit her well.
Point winner Jardin De Tunis brings plent of potential to racing under rules having joined a good yard but LIRION hails from a stable with a fine record in bumpers and his debut effort, when chasing home Supreme contender Mydaddypaddy, entitles him to considerable respect here. Kingsman Mail might be third best, having run to a similar level in two starts over C&D, although he may need a little improvement.
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