14:40 Ayr
Saturday 22 September 2018
All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:30
William Hill Ayr Silver Cup Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 2 | 6f | Heavy (Soft in places) | 23 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 1m 15.98s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Well handicapped on the best of his form, and two small-field placings this year suggest he still has something to offer but too many moderate efforts on his card as well, and questionable whether these conditions bring out the best in him.
Won his novice at Nottingham last year on soft ground, so should handle conditions, and win (and close fifth) at Ascot recently shown he comes here in good form. Hard to weigh up but cannot be discounted easily.
Arguably better known for 7f exploits but is fully effective at 6f when conditions are on the soft side. Has had a short break since last run, which is no bad thing, and if they go quick early, expect to see him coming with a late thrust.
Looked to have a good year after his defeat of the quick El Astronaute at Pontefract earlier in the year, quite highly tried since but has generally retained his form and gut feeling is there's a big race like this in him.
Doesn't win as many of one of his ability should, but came back off a break to finish a close sixth in an 80k race at the Curragh last week. quick reappearance a concern but ground fine, and isn't discounted.
Took a big-field to pieces at the Curragh (heavy ground) around this time last year, winning a 128k handicap by three lengths and looks very well handicapped on last year's form. Looks cherry ripe for this after a couple of runs and a major player.
Former top-class sprinter that showed even at his advanced age he still had something to offer when winning at Naas last October (heavy). On a very fair mark but it does take a leap of faith to get involved with him now.
Bounced back to form when winning over 7f at Haydock last week (soft) but the fact he didn't lead until very late suggests this drop back to 6f could be an issue. Penalty to carry and others more persuasive.
Twice a winner at this trip in the spring but handicapper has been in charge since, although may find this slightly easier than the Listed contest he was tried in at Chester last time. Not that hard to look elsewhere for the winner though.
Had a long time off before being seen again this year, second at Windsor in June still suggesting he had something to offer but this slow ground a major concern, and best to look elsewhere.
Has taken steps forward with each run this term and nothing wrong with his third at Haydock a fortnight ago (ran with no back shoes). With ideal conditions again, there seems no reason why he shouldn't go well here.
Second int he Great Wilfrid and a close fifth in the Portland last week show that these big-field handicaps hold no fears for him, and whilst on balance the handicapper probably just about has him right, he's hard to discount under these conditions.
Back on his last winning mark but it's mainly been a tale of woe this year, and he's got plenty of ground to make up with some of these he's already bumped into this year. Plenty to prove and may be happier on quicker ground.
Enjoys soft ground and stays 7f/1m so won't be failing for stamina, plus he gets a good chance to get some cover (can pull hard on occasions). Worry will be he'll be too far back before coming with a run, but one with place chances.
Second at Newmarket under similar conditions to today's in August, but that effort is something of a standout in a series of otherwise moderate ones. Well handicapped but a risky proposition at present.
Come-from-behind style always tricky to pull off in these big fields but he's twice gone close in similar events to today's recently. Worry is that his best form has come under much quicker conditions, so others are preferred.
Some good efforts to his name this season but they have come at 5f and this extra furlong might find him reaching for the oxygen tanks late, especially under testing conditions.
Has really come alive this summer, winning big-field handicaps at York and Ripon with a bit in hand. 6lb rise for latest win more than fair and will handle the ground. Ought to be on the premises come the business end.
Winner over 7f at Redcar two starts ago but under much quicker conditions than today and in a lower grade. Probably needs a career best here if he's to take this.
Won over 6f on soft ground when making all to score at Doncaster in the spring, so conditions not an issue, form since mixed but did score again at Haydock in July. Tough ask to make all here though and others more persuasive.
Old boy enjoying a renaissance at the moment, scoring in soft ground at Chester last time after a good second (in this grade) at Haydock. Remarkably has only ever raced once at Ayr before, but hard to rule out in current rude health.
Rattled off a hat-trick in the summer but all those wins came on quicker ground and in a much lower grade. Handicapper in charge now and 6f on soft ground may well find out his stamina.
Tends to reserve best efforts for Goodwood these days and latest couple of efforts suggest the handicapper has quickly caught up with him after a couple of wins in June. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.
Non-Runners
11
(25)
Holmeswood7
Weight: 9-6| Age: 4
T: M Dods J: T Eaves
NR
23
(9)
Private Matter7
Weight: 9-1| Age: 4
T: R A Fahey J: Connor Murtagh
WD
Forecasts
Al Qahwa (6/1), Dakota Gold (13/2), Hayadh (10/1), Holmeswood (10/1), Snazzy Jazzy (11/1), Quick Look (11/1), Shared Equity (12/1), Cold Stare (14/1), Rapid Applause (14/1), Bengali Boys (14/1), Hyperfocus (16/1), Gabrial The Saint (16/1), Kimifive (16/1), Green Power (18/1), Presidential (20/1), Maarek (20/1), Wahoo (20/1), Private Matter (20/1), Confessional (25/1), Louie de Palma (28/1), El Hombre (33/1), Powerallied (33/1), Foolaad (33/1), Oeil De Tigre (40/1), Classic Pursuit (66/1)
An even spread of pace should ensure that neither high nor low draws are favoured. Plenty of these have a lot to prove on the ground, or indeed in this class, and it may pay to give SNAZZY JAZZY a go. So impressive last year, he has had valid excuses this time around but finally gets the conditions hat saw him take a big field apart at the Curragh last year, a run that makes him look well treated today. Al Qawha dropped a big hint last time that he's about to return to form and looks a big danger. Hayadh will be coming with a late run and may get among the places, a comment that applies to Cold Stare too. Holmeswood cannot be ruled out either.
- Snazzy Jazzy
- Al Qahwa
- Hayadh
Prize Money
1st: £37,350.002nd: £11,184.003rd: £5,592.004th: £2,796.005th: £1,398.006th: £702.00
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