14:30 Ayr

Saturday 18 September 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 1m 10.91s

(24)

Total Commitment^v⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: S Hodgson| OR: 98| D

18/1

More prolific on the AW than turf but clearly equally as effective on grass, as showcased when excellent fourth in Stewards' Cup at Goodwood 49 days ago. Could go well again.

Form: 033034

(21)

Rathbone^b²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: O McSweeney⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| BF| D

22/1

Latest win at Thirsk in June and has remained in form since, better than the result (travelled well) when down the field at Thirsk last time. Has disappointed in this event twice before, however.

Form: 121529

(9)

Royal Scimitar^b1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 100| D

8/1

Has benefited from a return to sprinting lately, hitting the frame on 3 of his last 4 starts, runner-up at Ascot despite a slow start a fortnight ago. One to consider in first-time blinkers.

Form: 404382

(15)

Typhoon Ten¹⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| D

33/1

Ended losing run at Lingfield (6f, AW) in August ago and followed up with a career-best display on turf at that venue. Disappointing next time and has never won from this high.

Form: 647119

(4)

Magical Spirit⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| BF| CD

13/2

Landed this from a 6-lb lower mark last year and looked back in form over 5f (better over this trip) at Ascot 42 days ago. Primed for another bold showing.

Form: 14-3063

(11)

Boardman²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97

20/1

Real success for Tim Easterby this year, landing hat-trick with bit in hand at Chester in May. Back to form there recently, but this will require another career best.

Form: 110004

(17)

Bickerstaffe⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| BF| D

12/1

Back to winning ways at Ascot in July and effort best ignored at Goodwood subsequently. Lightly raced in the context of this field, and further progress would put him right in the mix.

Form: 139710

(20)

Streamline^h³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 96| D

300/1

Low-mileage 4yo who added fourth success to his tally at Wolverhampton (6f) in March. Disappointing the last two starts and has left Clive Cox since latest.

Form: 617409

(6)

Soldier's Minute^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 95| D

18/1

Smart gelding who added to his tally at Kempton (6f) in November. Has generally struggled for form since, however.

Form: 194-040

(23)

Lord Rapscallion^p,t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 94| D

18/1

Ex-Irish. Plenty of good efforts in defeat this season, including when fifth at Ascot last time. Cheekpieces back on, but no clear indication that he's well treated.

Form: 244305

(7)

Tinto¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 94| D

28/1

Is a long time without a win and propensity to blow the start doesn't make him a viable betting proposition.

Form: 390093

(2)

Staxton^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 94| D

25/1

Back to last winning mark and had an excuse at Ripon last time, so not without a chance for all he's never featured in 3 attempts at the Gold Cup here.

Form: 100400

(5)

Bergerac¹³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| D

18/1

Going the right way this season and got his head back in front with a gutsy effort at York 13 days ago. This sort of race might prove a bit much for him relatively early in his career.

Form: 6-21221

(22)

Kind Review⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 93| D

100/1

Four-timer winner already this term but last couple of efforts suggest he's unlikely to get competitive in this.

Form: 110190

(12)

Strike Red^t¹⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

20/1

Hasn't been held back by an awkward head carriage of late, making it 3 from his last 4 with another improved showing at Newcastle 16 days ago. Run of this should suit, so one to note under a penalty.

Form: 321161

(8)

Gabrial The Devil⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| D

33/1

Has been reliable on the whole and took his seasonal tally to three with a cosy success at Chester a week ago. This is obviously tougher, but no forlorn hope under a penalty.

Form: 150221

(3)

Shallow Hal¹²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 92| CD

66/1

Latest win at Southwell in January but his record on turf this year is rather uninspiring. Unlikely to get involved.

Form: 812905

(18)

Music Society³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Ella McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| CD

12/1

Deservedly back to winning ways at Pontefract (6f) in June and plenty of good efforts since. Not ideally placed the last twice, but his mark seems on the high side right now.

Form: 202248

(1)

Uncle Jumbo⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Megan Nicholls| T: K A Ryan| OR: 94| D

50/1

Winless since his debut and disappointed at York 98 days ago. Well treated on best form, but others are more persuasive.

Form: 0-34330

(10)

Blackrod²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 94| D

9/2

Progressive sort who arrives on a hat-trick having edged ahead close home over 5f at York last time. The return to this trip will suit, so leading claims with further progress on the cards.

Form: 17-7211

(16)

Woven²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 91

12/1

Nicely handicapped and did well to get second having missed the break at Thirsk 22 days ago. Has the right style for this sort of race, so claims if he can break on terms.

Form: 9-24592

(14)

Black Friday⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: R M Smith| OR: 90| CD

33/1

Three-time C&D winner (including in July) and was far from disgraced facing a stiff task in listed company at Chester 48 days ago. Could feature if he gets the breaks.

Form: 11-3617

(19)

Golden Apollo^p,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| CD

20/1

Not the easiest to catch right nowadays and losing run stretches back almost 2 years. Claims on his best form but latest effort at Haydock doesn't inspire much confidence.

Form: 326726

(13)

Mid Winster³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 89| C| D

25/1

Scored at Doncaster in July and put a poor showing behind him when second in a York handicap 31 days ago. Has never won from a mark this high, though.

Form: 453172

Non-Runners

(25)

Air Raid⁹¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: J Garritty

Forecasts

Blackrod (9/2), Magical Spirit (13/2), Royal Scimitar (8/1), Bickerstaffe (12/1), Woven (12/1), Music Society (12/1), Soldier's Minute (18/1), Bergerac (18/1), Total Commitment (18/1), Lord Rapscallion (18/1), Strike Red (20/1), Boardman (20/1), Golden Apollo (20/1), Rathbone (22/1), Staxton (25/1), Mid Winster (25/1), Tinto (28/1), Gabrial The Devil (33/1), Black Friday (33/1), Typhoon Ten (33/1), Air Raid (33/1), Uncle Jumbo (50/1), Shallow Hal (66/1), Kind Review (100/1), Streamline (300/1)

BLACKROD is the most progressive sort in this field so, if the draw doesn't scupper him, he has an excellent chance to land a hat-trick and pick up a decent prize in the process. His owner, David Armstrong, also has a live chance with Bickerstaffe, while the thriving Strike Red is another one who could make his presence felt if things drop right.