17:25 Ayr

Sunday 9 July 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Afternoon Tea At Western House Hotel Handicap

Off time: 17:28 | Winning time: 2m 10.07s

(2)

Copia Verborum^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: J J Lambe| OR: 57

50/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2018. 16/1, seventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Downpatrick (17.3f, good) 21 days ago. Unraced on Flat since 2021 and has plenty to prove.

Form: 060008/

(7)

Streetscape¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J Fanning| T: T D Barron| OR: 55

15/2

Good placed efforts on his first 3 starts this season but ran below form when fifth of 8 in handicap at Redcar (8f, good to firm) 15 days ago. Back up in trip and wouldn't be ruled out if able to bounce back.

Form: 5-33355

(4)

Spirit Of Ash^h,t⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: T Davidson| OR: 49| D

5/2

Winner at Newcastle in June. Creditable third of 9 in handicap (11/2) at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) 4 days ago. Clearly not straightforward but could give another good account.

Form: 877513

(9)

Royal Countess¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 48| CD

18/1

3-time C&D winner. Latest win here in May and ran creditably on next 2 starts, but was never involved when eighth of 9 in minor event at Hamilton (9.2f, good to firm, 15/2) 18 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 07-1858

(3)

Gerrots^p1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 47

16/1

Ran better than for a while when fifth of 8 in handicap at Nottingham (10.2f, good to firm) 24 days ago but essentially remains opposable for win purposes. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 8-08075

(10)

Zandora¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: W G Harrison| OR: 47

100/1

No better than mid-division in varied events, faring no better on stable debut last time.

Form: 66-0796

(13)

Depart A Minuit¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 47

66/1

Down the field all 4 starts since joining this yard from David O'Meara. Significantly up in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 08-0508

(12)

Rory The Cat^b,t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 56| D

7/2

Improved on recent efforts to win 10-runner handicap at Beverley (9.9f, good to firm) 12 days ago, driven out. Still low mileage for this yard and he isn't taken lightly.

Form: 4-80651

(1)

Jaminoz^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: J S Goldie| OR: 46| C

14/1

Course winner. 13/2, seventh of 9 in minor event at Hamilton (9.2f, good to firm) 18 days ago, slowly away. Difficult to fancy on recent efforts.

Form: 10-6647

(5)

Braes Of Doune^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 45

10/3

Another creditable effort when third of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 9 days ago. Solid frame claims again.

Form: 65-6253

(14)

Two Rivers^t1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 55

18/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Seventh of 9 in handicap (40/1) at this C&D (firm) 26 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. More needed.

Form: 794-97

(11)

Zakram^p1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 53

25/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 14¾ lengths seventh of 10 to Rory The Cat in handicap at Beverley (9.9f, good to firm, 17/2) 12 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Not discounted on pick of form but has a couple of poor efforts to shrug off.

Form: 5-04547

(8)

Stelios^h1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 48

18/1

Good third of 10 in handicap at Beverley (9.9f, good to firm, 9/1) 12 days ago, faring best of those held up. Hood on 1st time. Respected.

Form: 375553

(6)

Killing Eve³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: William Pyle⁽⁷⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 46

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 80/1, looked ungainly when eighth of 12 in handicap at Carlisle (9f, good to soft) 38 days ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 86598

Forecasts

Spirit Of Ash (5/2), Braes Of Doune (10/3), Rory The Cat (7/2), Streetscape (15/2), Jaminoz (14/1), Gerrots (16/1), Royal Countess (18/1), Stelios (18/1), Two Rivers (18/1), Zakram (25/1), Killing Eve (33/1), Copia Verborum (50/1), Depart A Minuit (66/1), Zandora (100/1)

RORY THE CAT made his second start for Lucinda Russell a winning one at Beverley and he can follow up from a 4 lb higher mark. Streetscape was underwhelming last time but has held his own in stronger contests and is most feared, with Stelios, Braes of Doune and Spirit of Ash others worth considering.