15:35 Ayr

Monday 22 July 2019

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

Book Direct At Western House Hotel Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 32.09s

(5)

Valley of Fire¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 64| D

5/1

Competitive off marks in the mid 80s in his pomp. Handicap tumbled to this mark of 64 but was in the process of running a big race at Haydock latest until brought to a standstill late on by crowding. Genuine belief now that he's at a winnable mark.

Form: 870466

(3)

Forever A Lady⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Vincent C Y Ho| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 59| CD

8/1

Made the frame in her last three starts now including two C&D thirds. Handicap mark remains high enough but no reason she can't again be in the thick of things.

Form: 025323

(4)

Battle Of Yarmouk⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 65WS

12/1

Cost 145,000gns as a juvenile but just glimmers of hope in three starts so far and latest run on turf a step back on earlier AW efforts. Had a wind-op ahead of this, his handicap debut and could easily spark to life now.

Form: 338

(11)

Olivia R^h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: T D Barron| OR: 64

10/1

Remains a maiden but last three solid efforts over this trip suggest she can break her tag before the season is out. Handicap gradually aids her and expectant of a bold bid here.

Form: 36-9434

(2)

Eleuthera^t1²⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Donagh O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 56| D

13/2

Irish raider not seen out since last October, but has won after an absence before, so that's not necessarily an issue. 3lb lower than last win, has won at this trip in the past and definitely one of the more interesting ones here.

Form: 1159/40-

(7)

Duhallow Noelie^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 60

5/1

Dundalk AW winner yet to make the frame in five turf starts previously although any runners from this yard which cross the Irish Sea have to be taken seriously.

Form: 531478

(8)

Retirement Beckons^h⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45

3/1

Deservedly got off the mark over 1m½f at Hamilton latest after his nose defeat over C&D the time before. Placed three times at this course where he always runs well it seems and likely to be in the hunt again.

Form: 4-94321

(6)

Macs Blessings^v¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 56| D

11/2

Become pretty consistent this season and gained second win of the campaign over this trip at Catterick last time winning in determined fashion. Raised 2lb for that which raises the stakes but could still make the frame.

Form: 253551

(10)

Leeshaan¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Phil Dennis| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 45| D

25/1

Over two years since his lone win although ran well when third over 6f at Carlisle latest. Not entirely consistent but has an each-way shout if on a going day.

Form: 394673

(1)

Bareed^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45

33/1

Now a maiden of 10 and although he ran marginally better latest in the first-time cheekpieces others remain preferred at present.

Form: 46-9505

(9)

Show The World^b1,e/s⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Victor Santos⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 48

100/1

Showed little for Charlie Fellowes and beaten just one rival in two starts for this yard. Perhaps didn't stay 1m latest but even taking that and first-time blinkers into account he's easy to oppose.

Form: 94-995

Forecasts

Retirement Beckons (3/1), Valley of Fire (5/1), Duhallow Noelie (5/1), Macs Blessings (11/2), Eleuthera (13/2), Forever A Lady (8/1), Olivia R (10/1), Battle Of Yarmouk (12/1), Leeshaan (25/1), Bareed (33/1), Show The World (100/1)

After being noted running his best race for a long time until hampered in the final 1f latest VALLEY OF FIRE is worth chancing here especially with the handicapper removing another 2lb from his back. In a wide-open contest recent winners Retirement Beckons who runs well here and Macs Blessings have to be taken seriously also.