19:40 Ayr

Friday 21 June 2019

All17:5518:3019:0519:4020:1020:4521:15

Whyte & Mackay Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 2m 7.91s

(6)

Glasses Up²⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 84| CD

8/1

Triple C&D winner has been struggling with his revised mark. Likely to need this after a break and with his yard going through a quiet spell.

Form: 742856-

(8)

Shrewd¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: G Lee| T: I Jardine| OR: 84

33/1

Last two Flat wins were over 1m6f and he was third in the 2017 Cesarewitch trial. Two runs back from an absence have revealed little and, as was the case last time, the trip looks too short.

Form: 9330/80

(1)

Never Be Enough¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78

8/1

Had been in fine form prior to her latest run when she found less than expected off the bridle and eventually finished last. Back on turf here but still needs to prove herself in this class off a career high mark.

Form: 35-8127

(4)

Royal Regent²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 74| CD

16/1

All four successes have come here, the latest last August. Form has been poor since and he is now 2lb below that mark. Has shown he can rebound from a poor run and worth noting in the market as he has gone off at 9/2 or less for his last three wins.

Form: 7106-45

(7)

Briardale²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 73| D

5/2

Landed the 2017 Zetland Gold Cup off a mark of 90 and ended a barren spell since on his reappearance off just 67. The runner-up has scored since and a 6lb rise may not be enough to deny a quick follow up.

Form: 58900-1

(3)

Gworn⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 66| CD

10/1

Last five successes have come here but a string of dire efforts see him plunge to another career low mark. Two years since his last win and others command greater appeal.

Form: 9708-47

(2)

Asian Angel¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75

5/4

Showed much improved form on handicap debut and first run since being gelded to finish second to a fitter rival. Was not suited by the muddling pace, but emerged with credit and looked a ready made future winner.

Form: 735-2

Non-Runners

(5)

Anythingtoday¹⁵

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

Forecasts

Asian Angel (5/4), Briardale (5/2), Anythingtoday (4/1), Never Be Enough (8/1), Glasses Up (8/1), Gworn (10/1), Royal Regent (16/1), Shrewd (33/1)

Anythingtoday bounced back to form on his latest outing when appreciating a drop to this level and his turn looks near. However, on this occasion he is conceding a lot of weight to Asian Angel and BRIARDALE. The former produced a career best on his return 11 days ago even though the tempo of the race suited the eventual winner. Chances are he needs further than this and as a result the selection gets the verdict having returned to form at Haydock after a lean 2018. A 6lb rise still leaves plenty of value in his current mark as the runner-up has scored since and he won a valuable prize off 90 in his prime.