led, hit 4 out, headed next, no extra from 2 out
held up, struggling 7th, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out to before next, kept on same pace approaching last
in touch, not fluent 6th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led before 2 out, clear last, pushed out flat
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened from 4 out
behind, lost touch 7th, soon tailed off
in rear, reminders and lost touch 5th, pulled up before next
in touch, outpaced 3 out, mistake next, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
A field of 12 runners face the starter for the opener on Ayr's card headed by Kelso winner Signalman, who struggled under his penalty here subsequently and he may again have to settle for minor honours with preference for PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE, who gets the vote with Ballybanks rated the best of the rest. The selection was formerly trained in France where he had some decent form, winning two bumpers and a race over fences, and the six-year-old made a promising first start for Howard Johnson when chasing home Ockey De Neulliac at Kelso in November. Entitled to come on for that outing, he looks the one to beat. James Lambe's runners always warrant respect but his runner Leo Tolstoy will need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge, while Bracken Lad was well held on his hurdling debut at Kelso and is another that looks best watched. Rennington Blue looks the clear second best of the two runners from the yard of Nicky Richards behind Ballybanks. The Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding has shown promise in both starts since joining current connections from Ireland but he needs to improve to trouble Prince De Beauchene, who is hard to oppose.
Signalman 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led after 3 out, headed last, every chance flat, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Moscow Catch (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Ballybanks (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 30l behind Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bracken Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, kept on from last, no impression, 5th of 16, 17l behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Classic Act 11-2 (10-10) Mid-division, in chasing pack 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Emmenso (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
Kings Guard (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Prominent to 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, well behind Grand Theatre (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Leo Tolstoy 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, weakened halfway, 17th of 18, 41l behind Charminamix (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl gf in May.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 7-4jt-fav (11-0) Chased leader, effort and led briefly last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Rennington Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up behind, weakened from 5th, tailed off next, 11th of 16, well behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ashgrove Diamond (IRE) 200-1 (10-3) Led, ridden and headed 5th, 4 lengths down and weakening when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Just Posh (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Shamboyant 100-1 (10-11) Led for 4f, lost place halfway, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Capal Dubh Alainn (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, outpaced from next, 5th of 10, 24l behind Pemberton (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Best Lover (FR) Great Palm gelding, half-brother to Flat and chase winner Livornesse.
