The big race at Ayr tomorrow is the valuable sprint handicap at 4.30. There are plenty in with chances including two previous winners of the race, Fantasy Explorer and Fullandby. Fullandby carries top weight and is 9 lbs higher than winning last year. Fantasy Explorer is actually on the same mark as last season but he probably hasn’t the best draw and seems to be best on fast ground which he may not get.
Richard Fahey has his horses in good form and jockey Paul Hanagan, who presumably had the pick of the two Fahey runners, has chosen to ride the 7 year old Bo McGinty. Bo McGinty has enjoyed a bit of resurgence this year, winning 3 races in 2008 so far. He is another that is best suited by fast ground. Aegean Dancer is a horse I have always liked. He has had his problems but is very capable on his day. He is drawn in stall 1 which has provided the winner a couple of times in recent years and he could go well. He probably wouldn’t want the ground to be on the soft side though. I would just about give Aegean Dancer as my selection.
Scanno and Piverina are runners from my list to follow in a very ordinary looking handicap at 5.00. Neither has done enough to warrant my support, but Scanno has taken a big tumble in the weights.
At Yarmouth in the 2.45 John Gosden introduces Teeky, a half sister to the classy Sleeping Indian and also to a horse called La Paz that won a couple of times as a 3 year old, albeit once on a disqualification.
Handsome Falcon has won 2 of his 5 starts at Beverley and is looking to repeat his win last season in the 7.30. He is not badly handicapped and has a decent 7 lbs claimer riding. He is not the most consistent but certainly has a chance on his best form.
Runners from my list to follow at Beverley are:. Charles Parnell, who has a bad draw in the 8.00, and Rivington Pike, General Tufto and Astrodome in the 8.30. Astrodome is a half brother to the multiple winner Alambic and may be better than he has shown so far, especially as he now tackles 2 miles for the first time.
Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller
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