Trainer Keith Dalgleish
Trainer Keith Dalgleish

Free horse racing selections for Tuesday October 2


Ashley Iveson looks ahead to the day's racing and feels Saint Equiano can add to his course record at Ayr.

Nap: Saint Equiano (4.20 Ayr)

Next Best: Im Improving (4.55 Ayr)

Saint Equiano bolted up on his latest visit to Ayr and will take plenty of beating on his return to the track.

Having run well in defeat twice at Ayr in June, the Keith Dalgleish-trained gelding finished third at Chester.

After a couple months off, the four-year-old returned to Ayr for the Western meeting a couple of weeks ago and turned what looked a competitive handicap into a procession, dominating his rivals from the front.

Given the manner of the victory, it is no surprise the assessor has handed him an 8lb rise. However, that may not be enough to stop him following up if he is in similar mood.

Dalgleish loves a winner at Ayr and is also fancied to strike gold with I'm Improving in the Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap.

This three-year-old looked quite an exciting prospect after rounding off his juvenile campaign with a runaway victory at Redcar.

He still appeared a little green when fourth on his reappearance at Wetherby and he was rightly prominent in the market on his next start at Carlisle.

Fitted with a hood for the first time, I'm Improving ran with the choke out and consequently failed to get over a mile and three furlongs on what is a stiff track.

Back at a mile and a quarter on a flatter surface, if he is a little more tractable Dalgleish's charge looks sure to make his presence felt.

The Roger Varian-trained Augenblick rates the best bet at Kempton's evening fixture.

The daughter of Epaulette made a winning start to her racing career here last October and a decisive victory at Newcastle the following month ensured he headed for a winter break two from two.

Her unbeaten record was lost on her belated return to action at Sandown less than three weeks ago, but she performed with plenty of credit to pass the post in third.

That run should have blown away a few cobwebs and with a step up to a mile expected to suit, she can rediscover the winning trail in the 32Red Fillies' Handicap.

Fivetwoeight can register a second successive course and distance verdict in the 32Red.com Handicap.

Following a couple of decent efforts here and at Yarmouth, Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt was a short-priced favourite to make it third time lucky for the season and rewarded his supporters with an assured display.

A 3lb rise looks far from insurmountable.

Donald McCain's Dear Sire can gain his revenge on likely favourite Caid du Lin in the bet365 Novices' Chase at Sedgefield.

Dear Sire has a 6lb pull for a five-and-a-half-length defeat by Caid du Lin at Worcester last month, and this slightly easier track may play to his strengths.

Olly Murphy's Itchy Feet was an authoritative winner of a Stratford bumper and has a golden opportunity to open his account on his jumps debut in the toals.com Casino Novices' Hurdle at Southwell.

Sporting Life tips:

AYR: 2.10 Supreme Dream, 2.40 Royal Flag, 3.15 Brian Ryan, 3.45 Se You, 4.20 SAINT EQUIANO (NAP), 4.55 I'm Improving, 5.25 Zoravan, 5.55 Remember Rocky.

KEMPTON: 5.45 Monarch Maid, 6.15 Kadiz, 6.45 Rosamour, 7.15 Wajaaha, 7.45 Dame Nellie, 8.15 Sky Rocket, 8.45 Augenblick, 9.15 Fivetwoeight.

NAAS: 2.15 Polly Douglas, 2.45 San Andreas, 3.20 I Am Superman, 3.50 Mister Dancer, 4.25 Aunty Audrey, 5.00 Jessamine, 5.35 Eagle Crag, 6.05 Vastonea.

SEDGEFIELD: 2.00 Compatriot, 2.30 Sonic, 3.05 Dear Sire, 3.35 Lucky Robin, 4.10 Oak Vintage, 4.45 Rafferty

SOUTHWELL: 2.20 Alys Rock, 2.55 Murray Mount, 3.25 Settimo Milanese, 4.00 Itchy Feet, 4.35 Todd, 5.10 Undefined Beauty, 5.40 Commodore Barry.

DOUBLE: Saint Equiano and I'm Improving.

GET THE FULL PICTURE: Don't miss out on FREE video replays and our fantastic My Stable tracker. Log in now and become a Sporting Life Insider.

Related horse racing links

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo