16:55 Ayr
Saturday 22 September 2018
All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:30
Microtech Group Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 3 | 7f 50y | Heavy (Soft in places) | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 1m 32.74s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Inconsistent this year, but back to form when ¾L second of 12 to Oh This Is Us at Chester last time, and his last win came on heavy ground at Musselburgh in March, so underfoot conditions won't be an issue.
Made all to win at Chester in July, and possibly did too much on the pace when disappointing there early last month. May bounce back, but unproven on really testing ground, and others stronger.
Landed prestigious International Stakes at Ascot in July 2017 (7f, soft), but has predictably found life tougher since from his elevated mark. Not seen to best effect on AW last time, and has now slipped back to his winning mark. Interesting.
First of two wins in 2018 gained over C&D in May, and handled heavy ground when placed at Wetherby on return. Has been running respectably in hot handicaps at Ascot more recently, and can't be ruled out given this slightly easier task.
By far his best effort this season when fourth in the Spring Mile at Doncaster in March in the mud. Not fired on all cylinders since, but return to very soft ground could be the catalyst for a revival.
Winless in eight runs this year, but easing in the weights, and shaped well when 1¼L fourth of 13 to Dark Defender at Hamilton (6f) last time, faring best of those drawn on stands side. Soft ground suits, and stays this trip, so respected.
Scored twice on easy ground last year, but his win over C&D in July was on a quick surface, and that was the case when winning again at Haydock last month. May not have stayed last time, but high enough in the weights now, it seems.
Hindered by a wide draw at Sandown (1m, good) on his penultimate start, but no obvious excuse when only eighth of 13 here on Thursday other than perhaps not taking to blinkers, and opposable again.
Won twice in the spring with ease underfoot, and back to form after a quiet spell when third to Saint Equiano over C&D on Thursday. Place claims on that effort, but wide draw makes life harder here.
Enjoying a fruitful campaign, winning three handicaps at 1m on fast ground, and good third on a softer surface at Haydock last time. Concern is that he failed to place in five starts on heavy ground when trained in Ireland.
Prolific winner in his day at around this trip, and ran as well as could be expected when sixth of 13 over C&D on Thursday. Hold-up style always leaves him a hostage to fortune, however.
Made a winning start for his current yard at Doncaster (1¼m, good/soft) in June, and better effort since when fifth of 8 at Musselburgh last time. Needs to settle better to defy current handicap mark.
Non-Runners
7
(13)
Richenza1
Weight: 8-12| Age: 3
T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner
NR
10
(4)
Oriental Lilly1
Weight: 8-10| Age: 4
T: J S Goldie J: J Mitchell
NR
Forecasts
Hajjam (5/1), Alemaratalyoum (5/1), Lualiwa (6/1), Richenza (6/1), Right Action (8/1), Stamp Hill (8/1), Roller (8/1), Lord Of The Rock (10/1), Dragons Tail (12/1), Oriental Lilly (12/1), Falmouth Light (14/1), Club Wexford (16/1), Magic City (25/1), Sharp Defence (25/1)
STAMP HILL is back to the mark he landed the International Stakes at Ascot off, and he had excuses on the AW at Chelmsford last time, so could prove the answer to a trappy contest. Lualiwa will relish conditions, so rates a danger after bouncing back to form last time, and rates a threat, as does Hajjam, who has been keeping better company.
- Stamp Hill
- Lualiwa
- Hajjam
Prize Money
1st: £9,704.002nd: £2,888.003rd: £1,443.004th: £722.00
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