17:30 Ayr

Wednesday 22 May 2024

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5517:30

Fitzdares Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 1m 45.55s

(2)

Capuchinero^p,t⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Tommie Jakes| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 64

7/1

Visored for first time, creditable fifth of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f, 25/1). Off 95 days. Cheekpieces back on but balance of turf form isn't that encouraging.

Form: 138-355

(5)

Khathak^t,v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Ethan Tindall⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 59| D

4/1

Temperamental sort. Creditable fourth of 8 in handicap (10/1) at Leicester (8.2f, good) 11 days ago (second past the post but subsequently demoted). Player from the same mark if he keeps straight this time.

Form: 67494D

(9)

Concert Boy^p⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Archie Young| T: K Scott| OR: 59

12/1

Eighth of 12 in handicap (12/1) at Newcastle (8f) 82 days ago, needing stronger gallop. First run for yard after leaving David O'Meara. Cheekpieces replace visor.

Form: 53-5358

(4)

Balqaa²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Alexander Fielding⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 56| D

9/2

Eighteen runs since last win in 2022. 4/1, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Newcastle (8f) 26 days ago, conceding first run. Turf form not as encouraging.

Form: 0-85223

(6)

Golden Valour^p¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Pinna⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 55

8/1

Temperamental sort. Two wins from 45 Flat runs. Tenth of 11 in novice hurdle (50/1) at Sedgefield (16.8f, heavy) 105 days ago. Cheekpieces back on returned to the level dropped markedly in trip.

Form: 444357-

(8)

Paco's Pride¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Sam Feilden| T: D Bourke| OR: 52

16/1

Visored for first time, seventh of 10 in handicap at Musselburgh (8f, good, 12/1) 19 days ago. Must improve on that.

Form: 3427-97

(7)

Braes Of Doune^p¹³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 51| C

3/1

Course winner who matched that form when second of 11 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 11/2). Off 139 days and isn't fully exposed.

Form: 62531-2

(1)

Retirement Beckons⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: K S McHugh⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 50| CD

7/1

Four-time C&D winner. Latest win at Newcastle in March. 14/1, eighth of 10 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good) 5 days ago, not ideally placed so that run can be excused.

Form: 153738

Non-Runners

(3)

Covert Legend⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: T Collier J: Gianluca Sanna

Forecasts

Braes Of Doune (3/1), Covert Legend (7/2), Khathak (4/1), Balqaa (9/2), Capuchinero (7/1), Retirement Beckons (7/1), Golden Valour (8/1), Concert Boy (12/1), Paco's Pride (16/1)

COVERT LEGEND isn't bombproof by any means given his propensity to miss the break but he caught the eye in a deeper race than this on Saturday so he's worth risking. Braes of Doune is unexposed for a 6-y-o so has to command respect on return to action, with the quirky Khathak a place contender.