16:50 Ayr

Friday 16 September 2022

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5017:20

Rems Group 'Justin Forbes' Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 40.17s

(2)

Alpine Sierra^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S H James| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 68| BF| D

11/1

Irish import who opened his account for present connections at Hamilton (8.3f, good) in May. Again ridden positively when reeled in close home at Musselburgh a month later and possibilities here if fully tuned-up following a break.

Form: 540313

(13)

Frog And Toad^p,t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68| D

12/1

Successful at Doncaster (7f) in April and again off this mark at Thirsk (1m) the following month, both on good to firm. Not beaten far when fourth of 12 at the latter course last time, but will probably find a few too good here.

Form: 017744

(12)

Menelaus³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 70

20/1

Signs of ability in a maiden/two minor events at up to 1½m, but the jury is out with regard to his optimum trip and, in any case, a big dose of improvement is needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 944

(1)

Albegrey²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| D

10/3

Gained breakthrough success at Ripon (1m, good) in May and best effort since when third in a 9f Carlisle handicap last month. This drop back in trip looks a good move and he's one for the shortlist off the same mark.

Form: 417443

(11)

Ha Long Bay⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 69| D

25/1

Returned an improved performer, winning handicaps at Catterick (7f) and Redcar (1m) in April. Form has subsequently dipped, though, and he ran no sort of a race at Haydock when last seen in July.

Form: 5-11450

(6)

Royal Regent^p⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 64| CD

80/1

Notched sixth win at this course over 1¼m on his reappearance in May, but has barely beaten a rival home in three subsequent starts and now finds himself with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 34-1658

(7)

Engles Rock^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 64| CD

10/1

Right back to form when striking over this C&D in June and shaped better than the bare result in a 7f handicap at Newcastle next time. Remains on a workable mark and likely to make her presence felt.

Form: 404614

(8)

Jomont^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 63

20/1

Both wins gained on the AW and will need to step up considerably on what he's previously shown on turf in order to play a leading role in this contest.

Form: 254568

(5)

Cobra Kai²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 66| BF| C| D

15/2

Made a winning debut for current yard over 7f here in August and has backed that up by finishing in the money at Thirsk on his next two starts. However, it could be that the handicapper now has his measure.

Form: 143123

(14)

Monhammer¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Mark Winn⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 60| BF

10/3

Deservedly opened his account at Musselburgh (7f, good) in August and has continued the good work by hitting the crossbar last 3 starts, including here on Thursday.

Form: 331222

(9)

Star Of St James²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 56| D

11/1

Finally got the job done on turf when accounting for seven rivals in an amateur riders' event at Carlisle (7.8f, good). 4 lb rise looks manageable and he's in with an each-way shout.

Form: 606821

(4)

Retirement Beckons²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 55| BF| CD

16/1

Has won three times already this year, including over this C&D last month. However, good run of form came to a grinding halt when beaten 10 lengths in the Carlisle handicap won by Star of St James.

Form: 132114

(3)

Mac Ailey^b¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 51| D

8/1

Has made the frame on several occasions this season, including when fourth of 11 at Hamilton (9.2f, good) recently. Also creditable fifth here on Thursday.

Form: 325845

(10)

Bobby Shaftoe^b⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 51

33/1

Shed his maiden tag when landing a minor event at Musselburgh (7f, good to firm) in July. Hard to draw any firm conclusions from his subsequent C&D effort (unseated rider after leaving the stalls), but the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 23761U

Forecasts

Albegrey (10/3), Monhammer (10/3), Cobra Kai (15/2), Mac Ailey (8/1), Engles Rock (10/1), Star Of St James (11/1), Alpine Sierra (11/1), Frog And Toad (12/1), Retirement Beckons (16/1), Menelaus (20/1), Jomont (20/1), Ha Long Bay (25/1), Bobby Shaftoe (33/1), Royal Regent (80/1)

ALBEGREY probably made his move a little too soon when finishing third over 9f at Carlisle and he could be the answer back down in trip here. Tim Easterby's charge remains on a workable mark and is marginally preferred to Engles Rock, who finished with a flourish from a compromising position at Newcastle and is also feasibly treated. Alpine Sierra and Star of St James are others to consider.