15:30 Ayr

Thursday 19 September 2019

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

William Hill Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 2m 11.99s

(2)

Forest Ranger²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 111| D

3/1

Won Chester's Huxley Stakes for the second year running in May but two below par efforts at York since, including last of six in Group Three Strensall Stakes in August. capable of better but this is tough giving weight all round.

Form: 2-72166

(5)

Big Country^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 104| D

7/1

Put in vastly improved effort from comeback run when 4L fourth against the smart Fox Tal at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) last week. Big chance if continuing to find best form once again.

Form: 2-24954

(4)

What's The Story^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 103

15/8

Winner of two valuable handicaps at York this summer, including narrow victory at the Ebor meeting (1m) on latest start. Ground should be fine and while career best is required he looks ready for the step up in class.

Form: 310301

(7)

Exhort¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99| CD

11/1

Shock winner of Pontefract Listed race in July and not disgraced since, most recently when fifth in strong-looking Sandown Group Three. May fall just short in open company but place claims nonetheless.

Form: 724146

(6)

Encapsulation⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: B A Curtis| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| D

9/2

Solid second on comeback effort at Sandown in July before bombing out at York (1m2f) in July. Capable of better than that though and no surprise if she bounces back.

Form: 41226

(1)

Iconic Choice⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 104| C

8/1

Listed winner as a juvenile and narrowly denied in the Fred Darling Stakes back in April. Hasn't progressed since that effort though and recent 9l defeat in French Group Three means she has something to find.

Form: 11-2777

Non-Runners

(3)

Four White Socks⁶¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: J Tuite J: K Stott

Forecasts

What's The Story (15/8), Forest Ranger (3/1), Encapsulation (9/2), Big Country (7/1), Iconic Choice (8/1), Exhort (11/1), Four White Socks (12/1)

A weaker-looking renewal of this race, preference is for WHAT'S THE STORY, who has thrived in handicap company - particularly at York - and looks to have found a good opportunity to grab this type of contest onto his CV against lesser rivals. Big Country has a similar CV but has been found wanting at this level before (especially on turf) but he exceeded expectations last time out and would be dangerous to dismiss. Forest Ranger is usually found at a higher level but has been disappointing of late and may struggle with the lumps of weight while Encapsulation could be better than what her current form book suggests.