We had a couple of excellent winners from our list to follow this afternoon. Utmost Respect landed a huge gamble in the Ayr Silver Cup and won with the minimum of fuss. Earlier Halicarnassus had narrowly prevailed in the Group 3 race at Newbury. He is often scrubbed along during the race but can produce a very strong finish. He has done our list to follow proud with 3 wins now.
The Ayr Gold Cup is one of the big sprint handicaps of the season and always a difficult puzzle to solve with two 33/1 winners in the last 10 years.
Borderlescott carries top weight and would certainly not be winning out of turn. Runner up to Fonthill Road in this race last season he was just collared on the line by Zidane in the Stewards Cup and has since gone down by a short head at Beverley. He has a potentially favourable draw and seems to hand le any ground but the weight might just prove to be an anchor.
Advanced was 3rd in last season’s race and showed he retains his ability when 2nd at York a couple of starts ago in listed company. He has form over 7 furlongs which could be a plus on testing ground and he also has the benefit of Jamie Spencer in the saddle. Like Borderlescott he has his share of weight.
Knot in Wood has been in good form this season and after an effortless victory at Hamilton he was a close up 3rd in the Stewards Cup. Talented apprentice Jamie Moriaty takes 3 lbs off and out of stall 3 he has to be one for the short list. You have to respect any Dandy Nicholls runners in this type of race, and he is well represented. His son Adrian, who has ridden the winner twice in the last 10 years, rides Buachaill Dona this time. He carries a 5 lbs penalty for a win over 5 furlongs at Musselburgh, in fact his last 3 wins have come at 5 furlongs. Another Nicholls runner, Turnkey, will like thje ground but is not well drawn. I will burden Knot in Wood with my selection with Fullandby a possible main danger.
In the 2.20 I see that Mick Channon’s Dellini wears a first time visor. She won well at Chester a couple of starts ago.
Mutajarred has won all his 3 starts this season, by a total of 17 lengths. He relishes soft ground and even though he has risen sharply in the weights he must be given a chance in the 2.50. The other runner from our list to follow in this race is Proponent who has been largely disappointing this term. Drops down to a mile here which may help him and he has won with ease in the ground.
In the 4.05 Fifty Cents returns after a break of 57 days. He was a disappointing beaten favourite at Ascot on his last start.
There are 3 horses from our list to follow in the Doonside Cup at 3.40. Ivy Creek has justified his selection on the list with a couple of wins already this season. He has not been at his best on his last two starts although the soft ground will suit hm. He is also returning to 10 furlongs after being campaigned over further. He has won at 8 and 12 furlongs and ran well over ten at Chester earlier in the season. Caldra has had a couple of encouraging “sighters” since returning from injury and should be spot on. The soft ground will also be in his favour. Sunshine Kid ran in the French Derby and posted a promising effort in a handicap last time out. He has won on soft ground and comes into the reckoning. Caldra gets a tentative selection.
We have 4 runners in the 5.15. Black Rock has always looked a good sort and has won twice this season. Furmigadelagista battled well to win a Newbury maiden and was not disgraced over this trip last time at Sandown. The soft ground will not be a problem. Yossi has only been out of the first 4 once in 10 starts but he has only won once and that was at 1/4. Bollin Felix has had a splendid season winning 3 times, including once cover this trip. He loves soft ground but has gone up the ratings a long way since his first success. The one they all have to beat though is Let’s Roll who is looking for a hat trick of wins in this race. Black Rock is my selection but it might be worth a saver on Furmigadelagiusta.
Mark Johnston saddles the inconsistent Five a Side in the 3.35 at Catterick. He wears first time blinkers.
In the 3.10 at Newbury our list will be double handed if Seabow takes his chance. It seems he will only run if we get some rain though. He won at Sandown last time and is well bred. He would need to improve to be involved in the finish but is lightly raced. Monte Alto has been amazingly consistent and has not been out of the first 3 in his 9 career starts. Must have an each way chance.
Hogmaneigh won the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom earlier this year. He tackles Group 3 company for the first time in the 3.45 at Newbury. He has never won with the word firm in the going description.
Henry Cecil’s Multidimensional made up into a useful performance last season before suffering a pelvic fracture. He returns in the 4.55 at Newbury after a lay off of more than a year. His wins have come on both fast and soft ground and if fully would up he would have a serious chance.
Both Transcend and Handsome Falcon have visited the winners’ enclosure once this season. Transcend ran well on his last start when 2nd in a race where the 3rd has won since. Handsome Falcon won at Beverley a couple os starts ago. Both horses would probably prefer some give in the ground.
Vanquisher remains a maiden after 10 starts but he has been runner up on 4 occasions. He should be in the shake up but you wouldn’t put your life savings on him.
We have 3 runners in the 3.55. Lang Shining has looked a progressive sort and is preferred to Urban Spirit and Northern Jem.
See you tomorrow.
ahorse 