16:45 Ayr

Monday 14 August 2017

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

William Hill Proud To Support Scottish Sport Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 2m 11.7s

(4)

Weekend Offender¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92| BF

7/4

Progressed nicely last year winning three races the last two handicaps off marks of 84 and 86 and that upward curve looks to have continued this year although he has yet to win. Certainly looked like the best horse at the weights last time out in 0-95 C&D handicap off a 3lb lower mark when not as well positioned as the winner and looks the sort to win more handicaps this year.

Form: 31-3P62

(7)

Mutamaded⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 90

20/1

Very lightly-raced for his age and now with a new trainer having had his first run for around 18 months for Brian Meehan (only run for yard) at Haydock in May. Highly tried in that Listed race he now makes his debut in a handicap over the longest trip that he's tried.

Form: 12/7

(5)

Corton Lad^t,v1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| CD

22/1

Previous C&D winner who started the season in good form winning twice at Musselburgh and Hamilton in similar handicaps with the latest win coming off 2lb lower although he has rather lost his way of late. Drops in trip here with the yard in form but he remains above his last winning mark and needs to show more than he has of late.

Form: 115008

(10)

Desert Way²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 83| D

13/2

From a yard that are making decent strides on the Flat and this one showed improved form when showing improved form to resume winning ways in a slightly lesser pay grade at Doncaster last time. She took advantage of a falling mark there and it remains to be seen how she copes with this better ground and 6lb higher rise in better company although she remains lightly-raced for one of her age.

Form: 13-4361

(9)

Royal Regent²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Sammy Jo Bell⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 82| CD

9/2

Always to be respected in his visits here with a C&D win to his name plus other course win and placed efforts. All his runs have come here this year and he remains in good form although he could have settled better last time out when finishing third in a slightly lesser grade. Should be capable off this mark but has been beaten off it the last three times he's run.

Form: 231333

(2)

Gworn¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 81| CD

17/2

Certainly no stranger to success at this track having won over C&D four times for this yard (also won over shorter here) and he's proved a stalwart for this yard. In fact he rarely runs anywhere else with his last eight runs coming here (three C&D wins this year) but he does need a strongly run race and has work to do to win this based on his last few runs.

Form: 121623

(8)

Testa Rossa^b¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Sean Mooney⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 81| CD

16/1

Like a couple of others in this race he also goes well at this track and has won here four times (three over C&D) although he does look a little vulnerable off this mark that remains 9lb above his last winning one. Needs a strongly run race to be seen to best effect but may need a little help from the handicapper now.

Form: 623648

(6)

Bahama Moon¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 81| D

11/2

Has on his last couple of runs looked as though he was coming back to form with the slipping mark looking to be the catalyst for that. Now back over his last winning trip and off the same mark he must be given a chance here although softer ground would have seen him to better advantage.

Form: 640043

(3)

Royal Shaheen^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 80| BF| C

8/1

He's been a regular visitor here this year and tackling a weaker race than he had for while managed to score his first win for the yard. That win has pushed him back up the grades though and he may well be found wanting again as he was last time out here over a mile.

Form: 356316

Non-Runners

(1)

Kentuckyconnection⁴⁶

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: B Smart J: G Lee

Forecasts

Weekend Offender (7/4), Kentuckyconnection (7/2), Royal Regent (9/2), Bahama Moon (11/2), Desert Way (13/2), Royal Shaheen (8/1), Gworn (17/2), Testa Rossa (16/1), Mutamaded (20/1), Corton Lad (22/1)

An interesting and competitive handicap with plenty that have had success here in the past with the most notable among that group being Gworn, Testa Rossa and Royal Regent with the first-named of that trio probably the one capable of adding to his good course record. WEEKEND OFFENDER does have quite a compelling and progressive profile though and if he gets a strong gallop he’ll be able to go one better than his run here last time out. Desert Way isn’t out of this if she can cope with the quicker ground and higher grade with Kentuckyconnection capable of getting involved if in a tractable mood as he drops in class.