Will early money for Le Cheval Noir prove the best guide?

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Given the furore surrounding prize-money levels in Britain recently, it is ironic that the most valuable race of the day at Ayr has attracted the smallest field, and it is a trappy event too.

William Hill are always the first betting firm to price up races in Britain and they were up with a market on this on Saturday night. There was lively betting on Sunday after Jacamar and Tupelo Mississippi were declared non-runners, with money for Le Cheval Noir.

The support might be because he caught a few eyes on his chasing debut at Carlisle. He made late headway into fourth over a trip half a mile shy of his best and this three miles should be much more suitable. That was his first run since April, so improvement is likely.

Cadeyrn is the other who was popular with Hills on Sunday and that was surprising given his long absence. Maybe he will be ready after three and a half years off.

Now nine years old, Cadeyrn won his sole Irish point in March 2016 and returns following wind surgery, with connections looking to make up for lost time. He looks the main danger.

Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox scored with Ahoy Senor at Newbury on Saturday and they team up with Grand Morning, who is a course winner on heavy ground and would like rain.

Sunset West and Buzz De Turcoing complete a race that might not throw up many winners.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Cadeyrn
The owners have been unbelievably patient as he hasn't run for three and a half years due to leg issues but hopefully he’s worth the wait. We originally bought him to go chasing as he’s a great big strapping type. We had him ready to run at the end of last season but the ground had gone against him and it’s been too quick to get him out this season until now. He’ll improve for the run but we’ve done plenty with him at home.

Sam Drinkwater, trainer of Buzz De Turcoing
He ran well on his first start over fences to be second at Wetherby, although the form was let down by the winner in a better race at Newbury at the weekend. He’s in good nick and there’s no reason why he can be thereabouts again.

Rose Dobbin, trainer of Le Cheval Noir
I’d hope he’d have a good chance. He ran well at Carlisle first time over fences when the ground wasn’t soft enough for him and it was over a trip short of his best. If he runs up to his hurdles form he’d have a good chance and he has schooled nicely since.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Grand Morning
I hope they get plenty of the rain they say is coming as the softer the better for him. We’ve gone back chasing with him and I’m not sure he’s the most natural over fences but if it comes together he’d have a good shout.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Sunset West
He didn’t do much wrong over hurdles apart from not winning and he starts off over fences on a reasonable mark. He needs soft ground, which is why he hasn't run until now. Hopefully he can put in a clean round of jumping and we’ll go from there.
Reporting by David Milnes

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