14:30 Ayr

Monday 24 July 2023

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

Every Race Live On Racing TV Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 2m 52.23s

(4)

Golden Shot²⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Morgan Cole| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 72| BF

9/4

Returned from an absence to win a pair of 1¾m AW handicaps last autumn. Couldn't complete the hat-trick over 2m at Newcastle in October but he still ran well for second. Returns as an unexposed sort who should have more to offer. Likely hard to beat.

Form: 090/112-

(9)

Kondo Isami^p²⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Curtis Wilson-Ruddock⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 70

100/1

Well held in 3 Flat runs on joining this yard last summer and didn't achieve much when remote fourth in a course novice hurdle in October. Absent since. Probably best watched.

Form: 0/09990-

(6)

Two Auld Pals⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: William Pyle| T: J S Goldie| OR: 68| D

11/8

Off the mark at Carlisle (17f) last month and followed up at Hamilton (13f) 4 weeks later. Another good run when second back at Hamilton 9 days ago. Should go well again.

Form: 652112

(2)

Excelcius^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Archie Young⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 67

25/1

Flat/hurdle winner in Ireland for Thomas Mullins but has failed to make a significant impact over hurdles for current yard in Britain. Bit better back on the Flat at Musselburgh 3 weeks ago without suggesting he's a winner in waiting.

Form: 45419/5

(5)

Glasses Up²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Gianluca Sanna| T: R M Smith| OR: 66| C

11/2

Several decent efforts in defeat this year, including fourth of 11 at Newcastle 23 days ago. Should figure again but it's hard to ignore the fact that he's on a losing run stretching back to July 2021.

Form: 745254

(3)

Ebony Maw⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Sam Feilden| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 65

33/1

One win from 21 Flat runs. Seventeen runs since last win in 2020. Last of 10 in handicap at this course (1¼m, good, 18/1) 7 days ago, very slowly away. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 2522-00

(8)

Ghadbbaan^p,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Alex Jary| T: M Walford| OR: 64

10/1

Dual winner at up to 2m last season and has run creditably when placed on 4 of 5 outings this year. Likely to be in the shake-up.

Form: 6-33273

(7)

Lednikov^v¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Elle-May Croot| T: I Furtado| OR: 63

11/1

Pair of AW wins to end 2022. Has remained in form since and ought to be competitive having dipped below his last winning mark.

Form: 11-4534

(1)

Go Bob Go^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Erika Parkinson| T: R M Smith| OR: 51

66/1

Well held sole Flat run last year. Did win over hurdles at Perth last autumn but refused to race there last week and now returns to the Flat. One of 3 runners from his stable.

Form: 90260/6-

Forecasts

Two Auld Pals (11/8), Golden Shot (9/4), Glasses Up (11/2), Ghadbbaan (10/1), Lednikov (11/1), Excelcius (25/1), Ebony Maw (33/1), Go Bob Go (66/1), Kondo Isami (100/1)

A 9-month absence for GOLDEN SHOT isn't too big a concern given he won after a similar layoff last year and he should have too much for his more exposed rivals. Two Auld Pals has had a good spell lately and is second choice ahead of Ghadbbaan.