Horseracing Selections - Ayr, 24 July 2006
Ayr, 24 July 2006
2:15 Ladies Night Saturday 12 August Median Auction Maiden Stakes
This doesn't look the strongest of maidens and we will plump for Carillon, Voodoo Moon and Only A Splash may provide most danger. Carillon is from the in form Mark Johnston yard and certainly looks the part on paper. She is by Desert Prince out of a Selkirk mare. No doubt she will be better over a mile in time but should have enough speed to make her presence felt in this company. Stable companion Voodoo Moon hasn't really stepped up on a promising Pontefract debut but does obviously have some ability. The ground may have been against her last time and we may see a better performance on this faster surface. The once raced Only A Splash is expected to show improvement and looks the pick of the others, but Carillon could be a decent debutante and she gets our vote.
2:45 Book Now For Totesport Gold Cup Handicap
Muara edges the verdict over Viewforth and Strawberry Patch, while Sharp Hat has confirmed that he is no back number yet and also has claims at this level. Sharp Hat had a number of these behind him when he won at Mussleburgh last month and has subsequently ran with credit on a couple of occasions. David Chapman's veteran still has a turn of foot and will be dangerous to rule out too quickly. Strawberry Patch has also got his act together well just now and is effective over the minimum trip. However, he has never won away from his beloved Mussleburgh and he needs everything to go his way. Viewforth returned to winning ways against a small field at Hamilton last week and is obviously in good heart. He carries just 4lb extra this afternoon and has to merit consideration in his current frame of mind. Any rain would be a plus where Viewforth is concerned. Nevertheless, the vote goes to Muara, who also in good form and, with the ground very much in his favour, this lightly raced son of Wolfhound can be expected to give us a good run for the money at a fair price today
3:20 Horseracingbreaks.com Handicap
If Just Lille takes his chance he will be hard to beat, but we will just side with Jellytot, with Noble Nova the pick of the others. Kevin Ryan's filly showed tremendous courage to get the better of Kasumi at Carlisle earlier this month, with the good yardstick Esoterica well beaten off in third. The handicapper hasn't been too harsh and she can make it three wins from four outings. Just Lille took a while to get into top gear at Haydock on Saturday night, but stayed on well to beat a modest field. There could be plenty more to come from Ann Duffield's filly and she rates a major threat. Noble Nova was far from disgraced, when attempting a fourth quick win off the reel in Scotland. She finished third behind Defi in that Hamilton event and although she has risen in the weights she still warrants plenty of respect. Wind Star has been knocking on the door recently and looks the pick of the rest, but Jellytot just does enough to win and may still be just ahead of the handicapper.
3:50 Weatherbys Bank Fillies' Handicap
Our Sheila has continued to defy the handicapper and can make it five wins in a row this afternoon, Aahgowangowan and Obe Bold may provide most danger. Bryan Smart's three-year-old may not be straightforward, but she's got an engine and she sprinted home to complete her four-timer at Carlisle recently. She only just does enough and might just be the type to stay a step ahead of the Handicapper. Aahgowangowan is another consistent performer and gained his second win of the season when beating two of today's rivals at Chester. She in foal at present and so we can expect to see some more of the same type of effort. Obe Bold landed a couple of decent enough races in the spring and following some poor recent efforts is now down to a handy mark. She could go well at a decent price. Top-weight Riquewihr may do best of the others, but Our Sheila is hard to ignore in this mood and she gets our vote.
4:25 Racinguk.tv Handicap
Some in form yards represented here and we will take a chance with David Barron's runner Cottingham, Regal Connection and Inch High look to be the best alternatives. The selection has been an absolute model of consistency this season and gained his fourth success when beating Fossgate at Newcastle last week. Once again ground and trip are in his favour and he looks the pick despite his massive weight . Regal Connection is still not quite firing but is now down to a very handy mark and has strong claims on the pick of last season's form. Inch High went close over course and distance last week and is from a stable that is banging in the winners. Best of the others could be Balwearie, but there could still be more to come from Cottingham and he gets our vote.
4:55 Jim Mckerrell Retiral Handicap
A very tricky contest here and a narrow vote is given to Moonlight Fantasy, Linton Dancer, Markestino and Wensleydale Star are all considered major threats. Nigel Tinkler's gelding showed much improved form to land a Ripon seller last time out. On the face of it that doesn't appear to be strong form, however he beat the 58 rated Carrietau quite easily and so could be very well treated here this afternoon. Markestino ran well to finish third to Farne Isle last week and still looks on a decent enough mark. Linton Dancer has been running better than her form figures suggest and although she could do with a slight drop in the weights she should still be involved in the finsih. Wensleydale Star is at the right end of the handicap and looked on the way back last time. Of the remainder River Logic can also be given an each-way squeak but Moonlight Fantasy could be on the upgrade and he is the sporting choice.
5:25 Dawn Homes Handicap
Legal Dram and Walnut Grove are the only two here with recent winning form and they could fight out the finish here, we will side with the last named, Second Reef may do best of the others. Walnut Grove disappointed when a well backed favourite last time out at Hamilton but had previously most impressive when winning at Beverley. The form of that contest has worked out really well and if that last effort was just a blip he could be the best option today. Legal Dram was making his turf debut when successful at Beverley last time. He was racing for only the sixth time and was having his first outing since January. He may be capable of slightly better. The pick of the others could be the consistent Second Reef, but Walnut Grove does appear to have the strongest form on show and he gets the verdict.
