16:30 Ayr

Monday 8 May 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Book Your Celebration At Western House Hotel Handicap

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 1m 38.24s

(5)

Hibou^b²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: I Jardine| OR: 90

8/1

Relatively consistent sort who makes his seasonal reappearance having not been beaten too far when sent off favourite at York when last seen in October. Down in trip now and cannot be discounted despite a step back up in class.

Form: 773213-

(9)

Fingal's Cave¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: P A Kirby| OR: 87

25/1

Not beaten far in his attempt for a hat-trick at Catterick last time and now steps back up in trip. His current mark looks high enough for him but he should enjoy the ground and could go well.

Form: 89-9113

(6)

King's Pavilion²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 86

4/1

Beaten only 2L at Nottingham last time out having had his sights lowered since struggling at a higher level than this, running down the field in races such as the Britannia Stakes. Interesting to see if he can continue his progress in this less classy company.

Form: 00760-5

(4)

Sophie P²¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: R M Smith| OR: 85

9/1

Won easily at Ayr last September (1m, good to soft), but that effectively wrecked her handicap mark and she now runs off a very high weight for her on ground that may well prove too fast.

Form: 62124-1

(3)

Zoravan^v⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 84

9/2

Slightly inconsistent sort who has shown his best form over slightly shorter than this but is worth another try back at this trip. Down only 1lb from a comprehensive beating at Haydock last time, but this rates an easier assignment.

Form: 172177

(1)

Inaam²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83

10/1

Has two recent victories on the all-weather to his name, but can expect to find this much tougher. Runs off his highest mark yet an a career-best is probably what is required of him.

Form: 13-5112

(7)

Nicholas T⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: S H James| T: J S Goldie| OR: 80

9/2

Goes up 8lb for an impressive victory at Doncaster last time, but looks progressive even as one of the contenders with the most racing experience, and as a C&D winner another big run can be expected.

Form: 50-9812

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

(8)

Kharbetation²⁸²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

(2)

Majdool³⁰⁷

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: N Wilson J: G Lee

Forecasts

Kharbetation (10/3), King's Pavilion (4/1), Nicholas T (9/2), Zoravan (9/2), Hibou (8/1), Sophie P (9/1), Inaam (10/1), Majdool (16/1), Fingal's Cave (25/1)

The form of the maiden won by KHARBETATION last July is working out well, with the second and fifth winning since and a couple of other fair handicappers coming out of the race. When considering that the selection was 5L clear of the runner-up, who himself was 10L clear of the third (this was over only a mile on good ground), then he looks the likeliest winner of this by a long stretch if overcoming the absence since (and the consequently high opening handicap mark). King's Pavillion has stepped down in class recently and is also recently, as well as C&D winner Nicholas T.