17:40 Ayr

Wednesday 22 May 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:0516:3517:0517:40

Tsingtao Apprentice Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 1m 41.58s

(2)

Lagenda^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonathan Fisher| T: L Bailey| OR: 65| D

9/1

Inconspicuous start for new trainer when beaten a long way at Haydock (1m, soft; 6-1) last month. That came off a 150-day break and there was some market support. Just 2-37 all told but won from 7lb higher last year, so worth market check again.

Form: 08470-0

(12)

Mywayistheonlyway²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 62

9/2

No win in 15 attempts now, dating back to 2017. Dropping down the ratings however and had wind surgery prior to low-key Thirsk reappearance over 7f. Must do more and poor on both previous start at this venue.

Form: 85749-8

(3)

Blue Whisper^p,t1⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁵⁾| T: S Donohoe| OR: 55

12/1

Nine-race maiden who left James Eustace for 2,000 gns in July. 0-5 on Polytrack at Dundalk for shrewd new yard, but has slipped down the weights as a result, and is now tried in a tongue tie. Market check required.

Form: 60-5550

(14)

Rosemay^p¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Toby Eley| T: R M Smith| OR: 53

9/1

Long-standing maiden of 27 starts on the Flat (placed 10 times). Back from a break here, tended to run his races last year at this track, Musselburgh and Hamilton. May need reappearance however.

Form: 254238-

(6)

My Valentino^b,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Ella McCain⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 48

4/1

28-race maiden across both codes, though some near misses over 7f at this venue and Hamilton and Musselburgh on his CV. Only beaten ½L in third 20 days ago at latter track, can be given a solid chance with reproduction of that run now.

Form: 3629-03

(7)

Betty Grable²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁵⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 48| D

10/3

Mare was rewarded for consistency with breakthrough success on the AW at Newcastle in January, getting up late to win over a mile. Runner-up back there last month sole start since. Must improve on previous turf form, but in good heart and worth some

Form: 2364-12

(8)

Bareed^h²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Sara Del Fabbro⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45

40/1

Has shown plenty of pace in low-grade AW handicaps (over 1m) without looking like winning; poor on Musselburgh reappearance (7f, good to firm; 14-1) this month and has plenty more to find to open account.

Form: 76746-9

(1)

Retirement Beckons^h²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Isobel Francis⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45

25/1

Nine-race maiden, has run best races at this track, though standout effort came over 6f on good to firm last summer. Must prove he wants this trip if hoping to get head in front

Form: 6/0634-9

(11)

Clary²²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: Robert Dodsworth| T: A C Whillans| OR: 45| D

33/1

Four wins in her 38-race career, all coming in 2015, and she basically looks on the downgrade these days. Struggling on the AW recently, though wasn't disgraced on previous C&D outing last summer (only sixth of nine) from 8lb higher.

Form: 8570-98

(10)

Skito Soldier¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45

22/1

Began life in handicaps with a mark of 69 in March last year, a figure that has duly plummeted with very little in the way of positives from nine starts since. Back from a break here and tough to make a case for.

Form: 080890-

(4)

Eyreborn⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Gavin Ashton⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 45

16/1

Placed on just 3 of her 24 starts, she remains a maiden and few signs that status will be dropped soon. Has often been tried over staying trips (including here) to little effect. Doesn't seem a likely contender on form.

Form: 9844-48

(13)

Rioja Day^v⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: Corey Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 45| C| D

40/1

Most recent Flat success came at Hamilton over similar trip back in August 2017. Well held over 1m3f there this month (beat again since over hurdles) and will need a dramatic change in fortune to score now.

Form: 07-7550

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(9)

Pacolita²³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 7

T: S Donohoe J: Kieran Schofield

(5)

Footstepsintime¹⁷

Weight: 8-2| Age: 4

T: J F Levins J: Izzy Clifton

Forecasts

Betty Grable (10/3), My Valentino (4/1), Mywayistheonlyway (9/2), Footstepsintime (17/2), Rosemay (9/1), Lagenda (9/1), Pacolita (10/1), Blue Whisper (12/1), Eyreborn (16/1), Skito Soldier (22/1), Retirement Beckons (25/1), Clary (33/1), Bareed (40/1), Rioja Day (40/1)

Lagenda came in for some market support on debut for this trainer at Haydock last time, though ultimately it was misplaced faith. It will be interesting to see if there is a repeat. Betty Grable is the form pick after a win and a second on the AW at Newcastle, assuming she can replicate that improved form back on turf but MY VALENTINO also comes here off a good effort at Musselburgh (third). He remains a maiden but has often run well on the Scottish circuit and could pick up a race of this standing. Retirement Beckons could hold claims if proving his stamina while Clary is down to a very workable mark, should he be able to take advantage.