15:05 Ayr

Monday 22 July 2019

All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:15

Book Direct At Western House Hotel Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 32.31s

(9)

Cameo Star¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

5/1

On a 12-race losing run now since dead-heating at Hamilton last season. Shown glimpses along the way with Beverley second over 7½f in May particularly promising but not at that level since so others more compelling.

Form: 9-02665

(2)

Royal Duchess¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Phil Dennis| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 61| CD

5/1

Took advantage of a tumbling handicap mark to gain her first win in three years over C&D latest; that was her fifth C&D score. Upped 2lb only today so with confidence now buoyed another bold bid is likely.

Form: 264-661

(1)

Roaring Forties^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 59| CD

12/1

C&D winner finished in the frame over an extended 7f at Beverley (good-to-soft) in May. Disappointing in four subsequent starts however and needs to return to form to figure in this event.

Form: 028907

(7)

Epona²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 64| C

6/1

Her best form is on deep ground (turf); 3lb lower than when making all to beat Pendleton by 2¼L here (6f, soft) last October; hasn't really kicked on from a fair Doncaster comeback third and Newcastle last of nine latest a concern.

Form: 6-34649

(5)

Annexation²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 64

11/4

€240,000 the breeze-up purchase done little in three starts to justify that price tag although Lingfield fifth of 16 penultimately was quite pleasing. Extra 1f on handicap debut likely to suit and found a weak contest here.

Form: 554

(10)

Gilmer⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 53| C

13/2

Soft ground lover yet to fire this season in four starts although only once (first time out) had ground in his favour. Handicap mark within range if and when he gets genuine soft ground again.

Form: 10-0666

(4)

Prince of Time¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 50| D

16/1

Won three races in a four week spell in 2017 but had been in the doldrums until springing back to life latest with a head second over 6f at Carlisle. Past record says he can stay hot when in form so another bold bid likely.

Form: 007-892

(8)

Epaulini¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 57

14/1

Still lightly raced and although second handicap better than his first he was still comfortably held by 6L so another few lb from the handicapper may yet be needed.

Form: 558-06

(6)

Dark Crystal⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 46| CD

20/1

Won twice off marks in the 60's in 2017 but has totally lost the plot of late and hard to make a case for after beating just three rivals in four 2019 starts.

Form: 80-0000

(11)

Cardaw Lily¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45

28/1

22-race maiden getting now better based on dismal showings last twice. Best form suggests her having a squeak but very risky proposition overall.

Form: 9-76377

(3)

Palavicini Run⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45| D

50/1

Out of form for most of 2018 and has struggled in three starts so far this time around. Well handicapped on old form but probably best watched at present.

Form: 000-006

Forecasts

Annexation (11/4), Royal Duchess (5/1), Cameo Star (5/1), Epona (6/1), Gilmer (13/2), Roaring Forties (12/1), Epaulini (14/1), Prince of Time (16/1), Dark Crystal (20/1), Cardaw Lily (28/1), Palavicini Run (50/1)

Ed Dunlop makes the 740 mile round trip from Newmarket here with the lightly raced expensive purchase ANNEXATION and he couldn't have found the three-year-old an easier opening on handicap debut so he is worth chancing now with the step up to 7f expected to bring about improvement. C&D specialist Royal Duchess is likely to make a bold bid to follow-up her win last time and Prince Of Time is also shortlisted after bouncing back latest at Carlisle.