14:00 Ayr

Saturday 22 June 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2517:0517:40

JW Grant Builders Merchants Handicap

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 1m 37.44s

(6)

Carry On Deryck³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 98| D

66/1

Hasn't won since a Meydan success back at the start of 2016. Returned to the UK at the start of the year with a poor effort at Wolverhampton. No real sign of improvement last time out at Ripon.; others preferred.

Form: 8/877-67

(1)

Blue Mist⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 96| D

3/1

Impressively won a classified race at Ascot on his penultimate start of last season. Not beaten too far on his seasonal reappearance at same track last month. Goes on any ground. Looks the one they have to beat.

Form: 3/2214-6

(3)

Banksea^h⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 96| D

40/1

Only beaten one home on his last three starts (excuses last time from wide draw at Chester). Has ability and now on decent mark but needs to show more to be a convincing betting proposition.

Form: 23374-9

(9)

Waarif¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| BF| CD

17/2

Busy, versatile and consistent gelding. Did not have to be at his best to win a Windsor handicap last month and subsequently ran a fair race at Ripon. Weighted to run a big race though vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: 076915

(4)

Game Player³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: C O'Donoghue| T: R Varian| OR: 95

4/1

Improving type who has won three of his eight starts since being gelded. Unlucky on his latest start at Goodwood and this step up in trip looks to suit. One for the shortlist.

Form: 112-412

(5)

Hortzadar²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

11/2

Ran well at Epsom last time from unfavourable draw. Had previously scored twice at Pontefract and Redcar before running well in better race at York. Excellent chance and looks very much on the upgrade.

Form: 18-1165

(8)

Sha La La La Lee²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 93| D

10/1

Not helped by a slow start at Chester last time out attempting at double at the track. A reproduction of either of those efforts putting him in the firing line. Might not want the ground getting too quick, however.

Form: 212815

(11)

Universal Gleam¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: P Hanagan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| CD

10/1

Won at this meeting last season over an extended nine furlongs and completed a double for the season when scoring over course and distance last month. May be in the handicapper's grip now but should run his race.

Form: 236-119

(10)

Just Hiss^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| D

10/1

Connections will be hoping the ground does not dry out too much for this tough and consistent sort who is suited by this trip. Not disgraced went sent over further in recent races at Ripon. One to consider especially if market speaks in his favour.

Form: 513-362

(7)

Nicholas T²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Barry McHugh| T: J S Goldie| OR: 83| CD

7/1

Missed the break when sent off favourite in this race last season; has not won since over a variety of trips but has run creditably in valuable handicaps at Thirsk and Redcar this season. Nicely weighted here and could run a very big race.

Form: 00-5304

(2)

Club Wexford²³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81| CD

14/1

Showed his well-being when winning a fair handicap at Wetherby on his latest start. Dual course and distance winner who will relish any further drying out of the track. Can go well.

Form: 939-451

Forecasts

Blue Mist (3/1), Game Player (4/1), Hortzadar (11/2), Nicholas T (7/1), Waarif (17/2), Universal Gleam (10/1), Sha La La La Lee (10/1), Just Hiss (10/1), Club Wexford (14/1), Banksea (40/1), Carry On Deryck (66/1)

A wide open contest but the tentative nod goes to BLUE MIST who has the form to win this race and is still open to improvement. Game Player is respected and was unlucky last time out at Goodwood. Nicholas T could go well at a decent price now he is looking very well handicapped. Others to consider are Sha La La La Lee and Club Wexford