14:20 Ayr

Saturday 23 June 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:1016:5017:25

Arnold Clark Handicap

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 1m 30.13s

(2)

Three Saints Bay³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

10/1

Consistent and on an upward curve until well held in a competitive 7f York handicap last month; both of his wins have come on good to soft ground so that's a slight concern.

Form: 4214-10

(5)

Maksab¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 88| D

10/3

Three-time winner on quick ground (7f, good to firm), including gamely in a Class 2 handicap on Newmarket's July Course a fortnight ago; up 6lb, yet eased slightly in grade.

Form: 54-3581

(4)

Regulator⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| C

7/2

Kept on strongly to win over 6f here in July 2017 (novice stakes), and has acquitted himself well enough in similar races so far this term; open to further improvement on handicap debut.

Form: 1257-32

(7)

Humble Gratitude¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 88| D

9/2

Recorded a second career win when making all to beat Captain Jameson by 2¼L at Haydock (7f) earlier this month; head carriage/tail flashing suggests that he has quirks so no good thing to follow up off a 7lb higher mark.

Form: 210-571

(6)

Symposing¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83| D

14/1

Won over this trip on his second start at Wetherby (good to soft) in early May, but that form is fairly modest and he finished behind Regulator at Catterick next time; not overly well treated on handicap debut off a mark of 83.

Form: 6136

(3)

Byron's Choice¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 81| D

4/1

Generally progressive, but reached a new peak when showing tenacity and bravery to squeeze through a narrow gap to score at Catterick (7f) earlier this month; up 4lb for his first attempt in a Class 3 handicap.

Form: 1632-41

(1)

Gangland¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| D

5/1

Proved his stamina when winning decisively (stayed on strongly) over an extended 7f trip at Beverley recently (good), but whilst that was a career best effort, it came two grades below this Class 3 handicap; more needed off a 5lb higher mark.

Form: 213-071

Forecasts

Maksab (10/3), Regulator (7/2), Byron's Choice (4/1), Humble Gratitude (9/2), Gangland (5/1), Three Saints Bay (10/1), Symposing (14/1)

No fewer than four of the seven declared runners were last time out winners, with each and every single one of them reaching a career personal best; therefore, this rates as an ultra-competitive Class 3 handicap. Humble Gratitude might be the first one to discount with slight temperament doubts, whilst the Beverley scorer Gangland is upped noticeably in grade. Byron's Choice is clearly an honest, willing horse so he's massively respected for Michael Dods following a 4lb rise, but MAKSAB managed to see off ten others in winning a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket, and with this essentially being an 'easier' option, he gets the nod.