Young bumper horse makes his debut at Ayr on Saturday

Ayr 4th November : 4.04pm 2m 'Newcomers' NH Flat Race

A 15 runner 'Newcomers' bumper rounds the day off at Ayr on Saturday. For geldings and fillies, aged 4, that have not run before - our website form student loves this type of race.....he can have the day off!
So, calling on our bloodstock expert with an ear to the ground picking up stable talk....our race preview.

A fairly early season bumper stacked full of youngsters from the North.

Of course the sole exception sticks out like a sore thumb - Olly Murphy's Junker D'Allier. This French-bred gelding cost €105,000 as a 3 yr old and is owned by Diana Whateley who has enjoyed huge success with her jumpers for a good number of years. Grade 2 winning chaser Menorah tops an impressive list of horses who have raced in her colours. This son of Kapgarde is thought to have a touch of class by his yard - well, at that price you'd have to hope so.

Lucinda introduces a trio of debutants Golden Point (£80,000 3yr-old), Fort Lauderdale (5,500gns 3yr-old) and Helsgetaway (€43,000 3yr-old). This yard has been noted making a bigger splash than previously at the merry-go-round of NH Store Sales over the last 18 months. Yet to have a bumper winner this season although a couple of youngsters have impressed when scoring over hurdles. With a set of 4yr olds of this caliber that bumper balance won't be long in being corrected.
Golden Point could be the pick here, as she is a daughter of a French Chase winner who is a sister to a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner but Helsgetaway, a half brother to two bumper winners (one a winner on debut for the yard), could have an each way shout. Indeed his family is packed full of horses with success in this type of race.

Thomson's Danno's Dollar, a €35,000 purchase, is a brother to stable star Dingo Dollar and he is another with a family noted for success in bumpers.
Ian Duncan's Cushendun is by Telescope, a sire who has had a relatively slow start in the NH sphere based upon the number of mares he has covered. Plenty time yet though and more time and greater distance would appear to be the requirement for this lad.

Plenty of interest in the race for Scottish Borders' breeders with Theonetowatch (€15,000 3yr-old) and Bogleyburn. Possibly both will be suited by further once sent hurdling although being by Mahler, Theonetowatch may be forward enough to be amongst the leading group turning for home.

Another to note how he runs is Lizzie Quinlan's son of Ocovango Hundred Percent (£30,000 3yr-old) who runs here after a breathing op. His unraced dam is a half-sister to Adrenalin Flight, placed in a Listed Chase but also a multiple winner Under Rules and in the Point field.

None of these words are meant in any way to detract from horses & trainers not name checked. For example, Peter Niven had an excellent record in middle of the previous decade when introducing his bumper horses. Malystic , anyone?
So, any market support for Threeandahalf would be an indication of this one's ability.

There's not so many unraced youngsters around Dodlands this season - there are several 2yr and 3-yr olds for future years - but The Hardest Geezer was in and out of the yard last season, and has been working nicely with the older handicappers. But most of our older types are racing at a modest level just now, so it's not quite so easy to gauge our debutant's level.
On the pedigree side, our gelding (£26,000 3yr-old) has West Yorkshire Hurdle winner Kilcooley close up in the family.
Suffice to say, The Hardest Geezer is well liked around the yard so fingers crossed he runs a nice race.
Craig Nichol takes the ride in the stable colours.

The Hardest Geezer (Callum) to the right of Shoeshine Boy (Laura)