15:30 Ayr

Monday 8 July 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

totetrifecta Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 58.28s

(2)

Arecibo⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

7/1

Ex-French raider who was successful twice in 2018. Has had three runs in the UK now but yet to hit the frame, including latest on AW at Newcastle (6f) when eighth of 12. Down in class as mark has dropped once again. One to watch.

Form: 489-908

(5)

Venturous¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: R P Downey| T: T D Barron| OR: 86| D

4/1

Won twice earlier this season, including at Redcar over this distance. Has been held twice off this mark since then, with his latest appearance coming at the Curragh (5f) where he was eighth of 16 from a poor draw, beaten by 3¼l. Each-way claims.

Form: 6-21188

(3)

Harome¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85| BF| CD

6/4

Has been running in big field handicaps this season. Was fancied to score last time over this C&D when going off as the 5/2 favourite but could only finish sixth of 10. Back down to last winning mark now. Leading contender.

Form: 006661

(7)

Merry Banter¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 83| CD

4/1

A C&D winner here last year. Her best effort this season came at Epsom (5f) three starts back when third of 10. Stepped up to Listed company last time where she was fifth of 16 over this C&D. Easier task today. One for shortlist.

Form: 71-5365

(6)

Oriental Lilly^p1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75| BF| C| D

12/1

Her sole victory on turf came at this track over 6f off a 1lb lower mark than this. Went off as the 7/2 favourite last time at Newcastle (5f) on the AW but could only finish fourth of nine. Cheekpieces on for first time. One to consider.

Form: 716554

(4)

Evasive Power¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Halpin| T: D Hogan| OR: 80| D

18/1

Won twice last year as a two-year-old but has been unable to hit the frame in five handicap attempts this season. Was sixth of eight last time at Tipperary (5f). Down the weights again but others are preferred here.

Form: 1-07466

(1)

Sound Of Iona¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Jamie Gormley| T: J S Goldie| OR: 69

20/1

Lightly-raced filly who has yet to break her maiden after four attempts. Was second here two starts back over 6f, while she was a close fourth of seven last time at Redcar (5f). Up in class so she may have to wait a little longer for first win.

Form: 2924

Forecasts

Harome (6/4), Venturous (4/1), Merry Banter (4/1), Arecibo (7/1), Oriental Lilly (12/1), Evasive Power (18/1), Sound Of Iona (20/1)

HARMONE is worth sticking with here over this C&D despite his last attempt. He has been running really well this season, including when sixth in the Epsom Dash and only beaten by 1¾l. This is now his last winning mark so he has been given a great chance to return to winning ways. Merry Banter ran really well in Listed company over this C&D last time and a repeat of that performance will certainly see her go close, while Oriental Lilly has a good chance of hitting the frame on her return to Ayr.