15:30 Ayr

Monday 30 July 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Sandylands Holiday Park Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 1m 42.07s

(2)

Kharbetation^e/s¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

5/1

Winner over this trip last month at Ripon and latest second at Leicester another solid effort that puts him on the shortlist for honours here.

Form: 0-47142

(9)

Two For Two^p⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 80| CD

9/1

Just one of his six wins has come in the last three years. Went close at Ripon two starts ago (1m, good). Out of sorts on AW last time, but 1lb drop here won't harm. Inconsistent, but dangerous if producing his best.

Form: 70-5405

(8)

Strong Steps¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: George Downing| T: J S Goldie| OR: 77| CD

8/1

Was beaten only by a progressive rival at Hamilton three starts ago. That was promising and remains potentially well-handicapped despite being just average in two starts here since. Former C&D winner, capable if putting things together.

Form: 632736

(4)

Lagenda¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 77| D

11/2

Best effort for some time when winning nine-runner handicap at Haydock (1m, good) 10 days ago, nudged up 5lb for that success but will be competitive in same mood.

Form: 2-54661

(5)

Mywayistheonlyway¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 74| BF

6/1

Cracking efforts this month at Musselburgh and Beverley over similar trips, remains fairly treated and thorough capable, though might just want faster ground than is forecast.

Form: 346422

(3)

Royal Shaheen^v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 73| CD

9/1

Former C&D winner, yet to truly fire this season but recent Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) run was a positive one in finishing 2L third of six. Can be competitive here if building on that.

Form: 864663

(6)

Mustaqbal¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 73| CD

7/1

C&D winner in October and scored again on reappearance at Haydock in April, both on soft ground. Held since, including over C&D a fortnight ago and needs to rebound.

Form: 15-1536

(7)

Chinese Spirit¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: R M Smith| OR: 67| CD

9/2

Both career wins have come here, including over this trip, although with some give underfoot. Any rain as such would be deemed a bonus. Needs to pick things up on form shown this term so far.

Form: 10-4244

(1)

Mi Capricho³²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 73WS

25/1

Lightly-raced maiden, poor in C&D run last summer, though did show some promise at Musselburgh. Has undergone wind surgery since last sighted in September and one to note in betting for guide on return.

Form: 5527-

Forecasts

Chinese Spirit (9/2), Kharbetation (5/1), Lagenda (11/2), Mywayistheonlyway (6/1), Mustaqbal (7/1), Strong Steps (8/1), Royal Shaheen (9/1), Two For Two (9/1), Mi Capricho (25/1)

Lagenda produced a much better effort to score at Haydock last time and, despite going up 5lb, he has previous form to suggest he'll remain a danger from his new mark. Royal Shaheen, Strong Steps and Mywayistheonlyway are all capable of getting into this, though the last-named might want quicker ground. The opposite is true of KHARBETATION, who won over this trip at Ripon last month and showed fair form at Leicester (second) most recently on quick ground (poor here in between). The David O'Meara team are in fine fettle right now and she should go close.