Thrilling victory for The Hardest Geezer at Ayr on Saturday

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

The Hardest Geezer (No. 10) holds on to win (honest, he did!)

Described in our own Seasons Preview (published in October) as a "super exciting" horse, stable aficionados (both of them) would not be surprised by the game effort The Hardest Geezer displayed to win the bumper on Ayr's Saturday card.
And what a thrilling victory it was to win what looked like quite a hot early season NH Flat race, albeit restricted to 'newcomers'.

As previewed in quite elaborate detail in our race preview, there were several well bought if expensive horses in the 15 runner line up. The 4th horse was Lucinda's mare Golden Point, an £80,000 acquisition last year while the horse just touched off by a nose was Olly Murphy's highly regarded Junker D'allier, who cost €105,000 and started favourite.

Anyway, Craig (Nichol) settled The Hardest Geezer in a prominent position, a couple of horses off the rail with Golden Point dictating the pace and Thomson's Danno's Dollar also close up.
Turning for home, 3f out, the pace quickened but Craig was alive to this move and drove his mount to keep his position. Two furlongs out and a group of 4 or 5 disputed the lead with Junker D'allier having joined in from his midfield position.
Under a powerful ride, The Hardest Geezer went nip and tuck with Junker D'allier towards the line where the pair were involved in a photo finish. Golden Point didn't have a clear run and was passed close home for 3rd place by Ian Duncan's Cushendun.

The result took an eternity to be confirmed - we reckon about 6 minutes - but the judge should just have asked our jockey as Craig announced himself the winner as he unsaddled The Hardest Geezer. So, a nose it was with 1¼ lengths and ¾ length back to the 3rd & 4th.

With the fancied horses in the four, the form looks solid. The future looks bright for this athletic gelding.

The official photo - reverse angle etc. - showing No.9 (Junker D'allier) is second

And onto Carlisle on Sunday

Carlisle 5th November : 12.45pm 2m 4f Novices Hurdle

Both Barrels was placed in all three of his outings in bumpers last season with the final one of those giving connections a lot of hope for his future over jumps. That was a close up 3rd in a good class Kelso NH Flat race in March and he subsequently headed for a spell at summer grass.
Upon returning, his schooling has gone well but we'd expect him to come on for the race.

Much like yesterday's bumper at Ayr, there are some fairly expensive horses in this novices' hurdle. Ruth's Belleme Basc (£50,000 3-y-o), Jonjo's Mully's Choice (£60,000 4-y-o) and Jennie Candlish's Yealand (€60,000 3-y-o) have all had outings Under Rules or in Points showing varying degrees of form but each remain very likely to improve.

The Irish trained Moon D'orange (£38,000 4-y-o) and Lucinda's Whistle Stop Tour (£115,000 5-y-o) have both recorded a hurdle win this season already. Irish Point winner Whistle Stop Tour looked a very promising type and one to be suited by further when winning over 2 miles at Hexham last month.
Jonjo's Irish Point and bumper winner Johnnywho (€25,000 3-y-o) makes his hurdling debutant here, and the race may be fought out between him and Lucinda's gelding.

This looks a very good novice so we'd be looking for a safe round and a nice introduction to jumping here.
Craig Nichol takes the ride and good luck to owner Ann Marshall. Enjoy the day.

Both Barrels (white blaze & stockings) leads his companions in a recent gallop