15:30 Ayr

Saturday 24 June 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:1016:5017:25

Scottish Sun On Sunday Champion Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 1m 42.68s

(4)

Sophie P³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 93| CD

4/1

Progressing rather nicely over the past year or so and found that progression continuing when scoring over C&D on her first start this year. Stepped up on that form with a good Listed second last time and should run her race back in a handicap of a career high mark.

Form: 2124-12

(2)

Candelisa¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 92| C

9/2

Failed to win last year but did run some creditable races and that pattern has continued this year with sound runs on a couple of his starts. His last race showed that he was still in form (not well placed at Ripon) and could well be in the mix here although he has yet to win a handicap.

Form: 337-304

(8)

Kentuckyconnection³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 92

14/1

Has the stand out piece of form in this having finish fifth in the 2000 Guineas last year but he's never really built on that and he's never shown anything approaching it.

Form: 0458-50

(1)

Lat Hawill^b1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Joe Doyle| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 92

11/2

Some fairly lack-lustre efforts so far this year the runner-up slot in a Musselburgh handicap being his best effort so far off a mark of 93. Two subsequent starts were poor and although he looked to get back on track last time he did look hard work and it's no surprise to see the blinkers reached for the first time.

Form: 0-02075

(9)

Spring Offensive²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

11/2

Winner of two mile handicaps last year off marks of 83 and 88 he's never quite matched those two runs in three runs this year. His consistency is his worst enemy and it looks as though the handicapper now has him off this mark.

Form: 423-536

(5)

War Department^v⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 91

12/1

Does need things to drop right for him but his Newcastle win in March over 7f would make him very interesting if he repeated that here although he does go well at that AW track. Back on turf last time (at York) he probably matched that form in a race where he travelled well without getting a run in the closing stages although the mile trip may test him here.

Form: 741264

(6)

Nicholas T³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 87| CD

10/3

An Ayr regular he has won twice over C&D and arrives here in very good form having won here last time out beating a subsequent winner. He generally needs a good pace to run at and the quicker they go in the early stages the better it will be for his winning chance.

Form: 981231

(7)

Finn Class¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 86| CD

8/1

Still not on a bad mark on his old form and after showing little on his first two start of the year he was a rather surprise winner at Thirsk on his penultimate start. Still not on a bad mark here but can be a rather quirky sort who sometimes doesn't find much in a finish.

Form: 39-0013

Non-Runners

(3)

Lavetta²³

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Sally Haynes J: F Norton

Forecasts

Nicholas T (10/3), Sophie P (4/1), Candelisa (9/2), Spring Offensive (11/2), Lat Hawill (11/2), Finn Class (8/1), War Department (12/1), Kentuckyconnection (14/1), Lavetta (20/1)

Top to bottom there is only 7lb between the field so the handicap is rather compressed with the top weight Sophie P so 12lb below the ceiling mark for this race. She should go well here on a track that suits her but others may just have the edge on her here. One of the most interesting horses would be War Department if he reproduces his Newcastle/York form over this mile trip. Spring Offensive is the solid one in the race but may be held off this mark but in the end the C&D form of NICHOLAS T gives him the edge as long as he gets a good pace to aim at.