The six-year-old Bannside comes from a good jumping background and while gaining experience in NH flat races and maiden hurdles, he still managed to land a rating as high as 96.
He quickly graduated from novice hurdles to handicap chases and was always going to improve for the switch to fences, despite falling on his chasing debut.
That put an end to last season, but he returned to action recently, and despite some market support Bannside failed to fire on his season debut, looking in need of the run.
14:40 (Ayr) Bannside
On his next and latest start, connections applied cheekpieces and he put up a great performance, leading through some confident jumping.
Bannside was still in front with under half a mile of the three-mile trip remaining, but coming up the steep Hexham finish he just emptied at the second last and the jockey gave him an easy time on the run-in.
Amazingly, he eventually finished last of the seven to complete the 11-runner handicap, but that seemed far from a fair reflection of his promising performance.
Today his connections drop him back to an extended two-and-a-half-mile trip, and considering how much he seemed to enjoy racing from the front, he is likely to be ridden positively again (with more substantial headgear now deployed), which will be great tactics over this reduced trip on a flatter course.
His handicap mark is just 69 so he has to run from 78, some 9lb out of the handicap, but with a good 7lb claimer offsetting most of this he shouldn't be inconvenienced too much.
Considering he has already postmarked a 96 rating over hurdles, he clearly has proven ability to rate higher in a discipline where he is unexposed and seemingly bred for the job.
Consequently we have to take a chance and recommend him each way at 20/1+, while he still offers value at 16/1.
