Ayr – Monday 22nd November

Soivegotachance feels like a very aptly named horse in the Play Coral ‘Racing Super Series’ For Free Handicap Hurdle at 1.35 at Ayr today, and at 11/2 generally, rates as an outstanding each-way bet.

Soivegotachance was certainly not an aptly named horse on two of his novice and maiden hurdle runs for the Daragh Bourke yard, as he was sent off at 150/1 and 25/1, yet performed with a huge amount of credit against horses that should’ve really seen his opening handicap mark in the low 120’s at least.

That the handicapper has been overly generous will have delighted connections, and they have also enlisted the services of the very useful 7lb claimer Alan Doyle, thus reducing Soivegotachance’s burden even further.

That opening mark of 113 means he gets in to the 0-115 2m3½f race today as one of the classier horses at the top of the weights, and in a significantly lower grade than he should be starting handicap life in.

On his first run for the yard, Soivegotachance pulled miles clear with two above average types in Wowsham and Fantastic Rock at Perth, and then despite a lesser run on livelier ground three weeks after that, he then improved on that initial effort after a summer break at Kelso 16 days ago.

Always travelling well on the front end at the Borders venue, he mixed it with the 135-rated Mister Whitaker for a long way, and only faded late over a trip slightly further than that he faces today.

All too often a horse can gain a favourable handicap mark by slightly more nefarious means, but on this occasion, it seems that Soivegotachance has been hiding in plain sight.

Curramore and Foster’sisland look solid if unspectacular rivals, and at 11/2 each-way generally, Soivegotachance really does have a chance!