15:50 Ayr

Saturday 22 September 2018

All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:30

William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:53 | Winning time: 1m 14.77s

(24)

Perfect Pasture^v⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 108| D

14/1

No problem humping big weights in classy handicaps, as his win at Nottingham last November showed. Came back with a bang to score in Listed company at Doncaster in March, only seen once since but conditions fine, and one for the shortlist.

Form: 0112-18

(5)

George Bowen^v⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 107| D

20/1

His May demolition job of a big field at York this summer is hard to forget, has held his form very well since then and deserves a shot at this but the worry is the ground, with best form coming on quicker.

Form: 212615

(2)

Ice Age⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 105| D

20/1

Has run a bit better than form figures suggest, close fourth in the St Wilfrid and then not beaten far in a valuable Curragh handicap last time. Goes on all ground and likes to race prominently. One to consider at a price.

Form: 010347

(25)

Justanotherbottle¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 105| D

33/1

Heartbreakingly, picked up in the last stride in the Stewards Cup when he looked all over the winner, and then probably a bit outclassed behind Limato last time. 6f on soft ground could find out his slightly suspect stamina, though.

Form: 118524

(1)

Kimberella¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 105| D

40/1

Knows how to win when the opportunity arises, conditions today probably fine but might be happier in smaller fields these days (last three wins in single-figure fields). Others make a bit more appeal.

Form: 286103

(15)

Gunmetal³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: T D Barron| OR: 104| D

14/1

Progressive sprinter that comes here off the back of a career-best win in the St Wilfrid at Ripon last time out. Big question mark is whether he can reproduce best form on this ground, which so far he's avoided in the main. Chances if he can.

Form: 0-11301

(9)

Major Jumbo⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 103| BF| D

14/1

Trailblazing front runner that deserves a win after series of consistent efforts in top-class handicaps this year. Another that needs to show he's fully effective on soft ground but can't be allowed too much rope up front.

Form: 342332

(17)

Son Of Rest^b⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 101

5/1

Well fancied for this after recent second at the Curragh in G1 company, form that makes him look very well treated here. Fully effective on soft/heavy but yet to win at 6f, which is a question mark. Still has to be taken seriously.

Form: 527452

(23)

G Force^b¹¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 101| D

22/1

Powered away at Naas in April (under very similar conditions to today) to record an impressive victory, disappointing on latest start at the Curragh but possibly outclassed and this looks far more suitable. Definite player.

Form: 0-43138

(21)

Baron Bolt^p²⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 96| D

28/1

Twice a recent winner on quick ground but handles softer conditions fine, and comes here under a penalty after latest win in this grade. No reason not to run his race but even so, may need a career best to win this.

Form: 220151

(12)

Muntadab²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 100| D

14/1

Only knows one way and that's an all-out attack from the word go. Has been racing over 7f for much of the year but is effective at 6f, and the ground no issue. Will have company on the front end though, which may not help his chance.

Form: 627379

(3)

Flying Pursuit^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| CD

12/1

Loves it when the mud is flying, as he showed when winning at York in July (had won same race year before). Ground to make up with a few on Ripon running last time but underfoot conditions give him a chance of doing so.

Form: 004716

(11)

Summerghand⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

20/1

Hard to knock what he's done this year, couple of wins to his name and far from disgraced at the Curragh last time. Probably needs to eke a bit more out from this mark but handles the ground, and not an impossibility he can.

Form: 381310

(6)

Naadirr^v⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: K A Ryan| OR: 100| D

40/1

Doncaster winner in March (soft ground) when getting up late in the day to score, for which the handicapper gave him quite a shove up the weights. Last of four latest suggests he now needs to come back to earlier form to take this.

Form: 36-6134

(13)

Growl^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99| BF| D

8/1

Top class on his day and whilst he's probably reached his peak, has been a model of consistency in big-field handicaps all year. Looks nailed on to once again run his race under suitable conditions and hard to see him out of the frame, at worst.

Form: 204333

(4)

Golden Apollo⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 99| BF| D

10/1

Often very well fancied to run well in these classy handicaps and these conditions absolutely fine, but is finding getting his head in front hard and gives the impression the handicapper has him about right at present.

Form: 455209

(8)

Staxton^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 101| BF| D

25/1

Was knocking on the door earlier in the year before finally coming good in a little race at Newmarket in July. Ground a big question mark for him though (races mainly on quicker) and may find this too tough.

Form: 444713

(18)

Teruntum Star^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| D

20/1

Knows how to win big-field handicaps and now only 1lb higher than York win last October, so nicely handicapped. Latest run too bad to be true and best forgiven. Could bounce back and not to be dismissed lightly, with ground no issue.

Form: 14-6760

(14)

Aces^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| D

10/1

Took back-to-back handicaps in the summer but disappointing at Goodwood on latest start (although not well drawn). Another for whom deep ground would ask a new question though, so passed over on that score.

Form: 23-7110

(22)

Goring^v⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 97| D

50/1

Made hay on Lingfield's Equitrack last winter but two efforts on turf this year have left plenty to be desired. Ground fine but others readily preferred in his current form.

Form: 1-11300

(19)

Tommy Taylor^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| D

25/1

On a good mark these days and close Ascot third on latest start suggests he's about to bounce back to some of his better form. However, seems much happier on quicker ground these days so may have to wait a little longer for that next win.

Form: 405503

(16)

Get Knotted^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 97| CD

9/1

A regular at York in handicaps there this year but has form here too, and if they go quick enough up front it will bring his stamina into play. Probably asking a lot for the win but can be considered for the places, with this ground fine.

Form: 032218

(10)

Brian The Snail^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 96| D

28/1

Has become dreadfully inconsistent, winner on quick ground at Doncaster in the summer but nothing to write home about after that. Hopes now pinned on new headgear turning him around. Very risky.

Form: 010000

(20)

Tanasoq²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: P T Midgley| OR: 96| BF| C| D

50/1

Four times a winner in the spring, all coming on quicker ground, but since then the handicapper has had him in his grip and has plenty to do here.

Form: 117208

(7)

Upstaging^b,t1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 95| D

22/1

Has run well without threatening in big-field handicaps a few times now, latest seventh at Ascot a prime example. No problem with this slower ground but has plenty on his plate here, and others make more appeal.

Form: 27-0477

Forecasts

Son Of Rest (5/1), Growl (8/1), Get Knotted (9/1), Golden Apollo (10/1), Aces (10/1), Flying Pursuit (12/1), Perfect Pasture (14/1), Gunmetal (14/1), Major Jumbo (14/1), Muntadab (14/1), Teruntum Star (20/1), Summerghand (20/1), George Bowen (20/1), Ice Age (20/1), Upstaging (22/1), G Force (22/1), Tommy Taylor (25/1), Staxton (25/1), Baron Bolt (28/1), Brian The Snail (28/1), Justanotherbottle (33/1), Kimberella (40/1), Naadirr (40/1), Tanasoq (50/1), Goring (50/1)

A good pace assured, with the admirably consistent Major Jumbo and Muntadab in the field. Son Of Rest has been all the rage for this after his Group 1 effort last weekend but a quick turnaround and a slight question mark over the trip mean he's now little in the way of value. At a bigger price ICE AGE has a bit going for him, as he is drawn to track the pace, has won big-field handicaps before, handles the ground and appears to be keeping his form well. He can go close. Growl looks a good bet to hit the places again and along with the consistent Get Knotted and Terentium Star, can go well.