14:25 Ayr

Thursday 16 September 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1817:50

Virgin Bet Handicap

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 29.64s

(5)

Cassy O^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| BF| CD

13/2

Won at Thirsk in August. 10/3, last of 11 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, good) 20 days ago. New career-high mark has kicked in and last year's winner (who got up a double at this meeting) is vulnerable.

Form: 120120

(4)

Queen's Sargent²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 83| D

25/1

First run since leaving Kevin Ryan when seventh of 9 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, good to firm, 22/1) 29 days ago, left poorly placed. Yard saddles a stronger candidate in Northern Express.

Form: 047907

(3)

Northern Express¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 85| D

14/1

Latest win at York in July. 5/1, last of 8 in handicap at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago, missing break. Would be a threat if able to reproduce the form of his York success.

Form: 205138

(8)

Poet's Magic¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 82| BF| CD

4/1

C&D winner. 3 wins from 8 runs this year, the latest at Carlisle in August. Third of 5 in handicap at Epsom (7f, good, evens) 17 days ago, doing too much too soon. Should be in the mix.

Form: 621213

(11)

Admirality²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 80| D

11/1

Twenty-six runs since last win in 2019. 10/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, ninth of 11 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, good) 20 days ago. Opposable, for all that he's slipped to an attractive mark.

Form: 259269

(12)

Star Shield^v¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

17/2

8/1, creditable second of 9 in handicap at Haydock (8.2f, firm) recently, nearest finish. Leading claims on that form, but couldn't be sure that this drop back in trip will be ideal. Visor refitted.

Form: 802572

(6)

Maraakiz²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 79| D

66/1

Lightly-raced winner. Creditable third of 6 in handicap (7/2) at Carlisle (9f, good to firm) 21 days ago. Doesn't look entirely straightforward and more needed back down in trip here for new yard.

Form: 19-443

(2)

Outrun The Storm⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| C| D

5/1

Course winner. 4/1, creditable 2¼ lengths third of 10 to Northern Express in handicap at York (7f, good) 54 days ago, running on. 5 lb better off with that rival here and he's not discounted.

Form: 135-413

(9)

Darvel³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 78| C

11/1

Course winner. 7/1 and blinkered for 1st time, creditable 3½ lengths third of 8 to Poet's Magic in handicap at Carlisle (6.9f, good to firm) 30 days ago. Needs to raise his game a touch.

Form: 0-22063

(13)

Glengarry^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: D Brooke| OR: 70| D

28/1

Unreliable sort. 3 wins from 11 runs this year, the latest at Thirsk in August. 20/1, creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, good) 20 days ago. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 571614

(1)

Global Humor^p⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 70| CD

9/2

10/1, respectable fourth of 14 in handicap at Haydock (5f, firm) 4 days ago, best work finish. Significantly back up in trip and not without each-way hope.

Form: 261344

(7)

Swiss Knight^h,t³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 68

25/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2020. 18/1, eighth of 12 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) 3 days ago. Mark is on the slide, but it's probably best to look elsewhere all the same.

Form: 056658

Non-Runners

(10)

King's Pavilion¹⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 8

T: J L Eyre J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Poet's Magic (4/1), Global Humor (9/2), Outrun The Storm (5/1), Cassy O (13/2), Star Shield (17/2), Admirality (11/1), Darvel (11/1), Northern Express (14/1), King's Pavilion (20/1), Swiss Knight (25/1), Queen's Sargent (25/1), Glengarry (28/1), Maraakiz (66/1)

The vote goes to POET'S MAGIC, who understandably gave way in the closing stages last time at Epsom where she became embroiled in a battle for the lead. Things may pan out more favourably this time and she could take some pegging back. Star Shield's latest effort at Haydock suggested that his turn is near, but dropping back in trip here may not be ideal and Global Humor is feared most.