18:45 Ayr

Tuesday 7 August 2018

All17:4018:1018:4519:1519:5020:2020:50

Volunteer At Ayrshire Cancer Support Handicap

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 58.78s

(5)

Dark Defender^v⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 80| CD

2/1

Has won here three times, twice over 6f. Drops to the minimum trip having been too keen here last week. Still produced his best effort in some while and appreciated some of the sting being taken out of the ground. Similar conditions forecast today.

Form: 604804

(1)

Merry Banter¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 78| D

9/2

Scored off a 6lb lower mark in May but ran Stewards Cup runner-up Justanotherbottle to 1L off this mark next time. Has not been able to dictate her own pace on last two starts but should have an easier time on the front end here.

Form: 127433

(6)

Areen Faisal¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80

13/2

His best efforts have come with some give in the ground and he is still 4lb higher than when successful last year.

Form: 30-4094

(3)

Scuzeme⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 74| D

12/1

Well backed when scoring on his third start but he has not progressed since. Last two runs have come five months apart and both indicate he is below his best. Nevertheless, he is nicely weighted if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 2677-28

(2)

Primo's Comet¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 74| D

6/1

Outpaced in this grade here two weeks ago and Merry Banter looks set to go off hard here. His best form has come at Newcastle and chances here hinge on his rivals doing too much too soon.

Form: 253513

(4)

Rego Park Lady²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Hanagan| T: A Murray| OR: 73

5/1

Lightly raced maiden went close at Navan three weeks ago. Stable have gone more than 200 days without a winner, but Irish raiders always have to command respect here.

Form: 9-74403

(7)

Eternalist^h⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 65| D

12/1

Musselburgh winner off a mark of 60 and her prior success was off the same rating. Handicapper appears to have her measure judged on her las two starts.

Form: 334146

Forecasts

Dark Defender (2/1), Merry Banter (9/2), Rego Park Lady (5/1), Primo's Comet (6/1), Areen Faisal (13/2), Eternalist (12/1), Scuzeme (12/1)

Merry Banter will ensure there is plenty of pace and has the form to make her mark here off a competitive weight. However, it is likely she will set this up nicely for DARK DEFENDER who was too free last week and so will appreciate the strong gallop and the shorter trip providing conditions don't turn too fast. Irish raider Rego Park Lady has to be respected on her last run, whilst any rain would help Areen Faisal.