15:35 Ayr

Saturday 21 September 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 1m 7.75s

(12)

Commanche Falls^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 107| CD

25/1

Has yet to score in 2024 but comes here in decent nick, a never-nearer fourth of 7 to Democracy Dilemma in listed race at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 21 days ago. This C&D winner needs considering back up in trip.

Form: 025634

(23)

Northern Express^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: D Egan| T: M Dods| OR: 106| C

50/1

A real credit to connections who resumed winning ways in first-time cheekieces in 18-runner Ascot handicap (7f) in July. This course winner should be thereabouts after a break with headgear again sported.

Form: 572521

(14)

Ramazan³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 106| D

14/1

Runner-up in this 12 months ago and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 17 to Dare To Hope in Great St Wilfrid at Ripon 35 days ago, first home in his group. A player once more.

Form: 228782

(24)

Korker¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: K R Burke| OR: 104

40/1

Dual winner last autumn but his issues at the stalls have stopped him fulfilling his full potential, doing well to finish third in 6f York listed event 13 days ago having typically missed the break. No forlorn hope.

Form: 930423

(3)

Orazio⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Hills| OR: 103| D

15/2

Good third in Wokingham at Royal Ascot, but weakened quickly final 1f when last of 18 in International Stakes back there 50 days ago. Only 11th when favourite for this 12 months ago but he's capable of getting involved back down in trip after a break.

Form: 00-3030

(22)

Room Service⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 105| DWS

14/1

Low-mileage sort who resumed progress on just his second handicap start at Pontefract (6f) in July. Since undergone breathing surgery and he's an interesting contender for a yard with excellent record in this event.

Form: 331-761

(20)

Lethal Levi^b³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 102| D

20/1

Revived by blinkers this summer, making all for second time over 6f at Newbury last month. In the frame in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f) and Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f) in between so he ought to be thereabouts.

Form: 014201

(17)

Jordan Electrics³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: J S Goldie| OR: 101| CD

16/1

Is enjoying a phenomenal summer, especially at Hamilton, making it 5 wins in a row at the track last month. Very good second of 22 in handicap at York (5.4f, good to firm) last time so must enter calculations again.

Form: 111172

(15)

Mostabshir^b⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100

11/1

Smart handicapper who performed with credit dropped to a sprint trip for the first time when fourth of 25 in Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last month. Not taken lightly eased 1 lb.

Form: 5-30404

(19)

Silky Wilkie^v1⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| D

66/1

It's now 20 starts since his last win in 2023 but he arrives in good nick, not best drawn when eighth of 22 in Portland at Doncaster 7 days ago. Shortlisted with visor added.

Form: 762808

(10)

Fivethousandtoone^v²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 99| D

40/1

Improved for the application of a visor when landing back-to-back AW handicaps earlier in the year. However, highly tried since and has often struggled. Needs to take a step forward.

Form: 904006

(16)

Coachello²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 99| D

80/1

Smart ex-Irish 6f/7f scorer who has shown some promise for his new yard, set lot to do when 12th in 6f York handicap last time. Possibilities off a reduced mark.

Form: 405070

(25)

Pilgrim³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: T D Barron| OR: 100| D

28/1

Much improved this summer and he impressively landed Palace of Holyrood House Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. Poorly drawn when 15th at York (5.4f, good to firm) since so remains one to consider.

Form: 1-03110

(11)

Glenfinnan²¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Nolan| T: M Dods| OR: 93| D

25/1

Is enjoying a very good season for his new yard and he bagged a second success at Sandown (7f) three weeks ago. Not discounted under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 135601

(7)

Aleezdancer^b¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| D

40/1

Capitalised on a falling mark to notch a sixth success at York (6f) in May but he beat only one in 6f Epsom handicap on Derby Day. Needs to bounce back and suspect he needs rain to come.

Form: 06-3010

(4)

American Affair⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 92| BF| D

11/4

Most progressive sprinter who garnered his third victory of 2024 in Portland at Doncaster a week ago, doing extremely well to get up on line having been badly hampered 2f out. Big shout under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 212231

(8)

Rohaan^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Queally| T: P D Evans| OR: 96| BF| D

9/1

Smart sprinter who scored at Ascot last autumn. Hasn't hit the same heights this season but he caught the eye when third of 7 there two weeks ago, caught further back than ideal. Merits serious consideration off a potentially very handy mark.

Form: 580803

(18)

Billyjoh^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 96| D

40/1

Back-to-back winner on AW in February and has remained in excellent order since until coming in only 16th at York last time. The sort to bounce back though.

Form: 420230

(13)

Aramis Grey⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Rae Guest| OR: 95| D

28/1

Her losing run is mounting up but she arrives in good form, third of 16 in handicap at Windsor (6f) 40 days ago. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 282543

(21)

Dare To Hope²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

28/1

Built on earlier promise to land Great St Wilfrid at Ripon in August but ridden more forcefully when a below-par seventh of 19 in handicap at York (6f) since. No surprise to see him bounce back here.

Form: 384017

(2)

Jehangeer²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 96| CD

28/1

Resumed winning ways at Thirsk in July but below that level since, ninth of 19 in handicap at York (6f, good to firm) 28 days ago. This C&D scorer needs to take a step forward.

Form: 73-3109

(1)

King's Lynn⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 94| D

14/1

It's now 21 starts since his last win in 2022 but he is knocking on the door, second of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (6.5f) 6 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 425342

(9)

Sergeant Wilko²⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| D

18/1

Improving sprinter who completed his hat-trick in 7-runner handicap at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Carries a 5 lb penalty but this game front-runner demands plenty of respect once again.

Form: 5-14111

(6)

Strike Red⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| BF| D

12/1

Yet to strike this season but he comes here in good order, not ideally drawn when ninth of 25 in handicap at the Curragh (6f) 6 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 505629

(5)

Tinto^p²²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 88| D

33/1

Improved on recent efforts under more patient tactics to win 9-runner handicap at Thirsk (6f) 22 days ago. Carries 5 lb penallty but still needs considering.

Form: 717031

Forecasts

American Affair (11/4), Orazio (15/2), Rohaan (9/1), Mostabshir (11/1), Strike Red (12/1), Room Service (14/1), Ramazan (14/1), King's Lynn (14/1), Jordan Electrics (16/1), Sergeant Wilko (18/1), Lethal Levi (20/1), Commanche Falls (25/1), Glenfinnan (25/1), Aramis Grey (28/1), Dare To Hope (28/1), Pilgrim (28/1), Jehangeer (28/1), Tinto (33/1), Korker (40/1), Billyjoh (40/1), Aleezdancer (40/1), Fivethousandtoone (40/1), Northern Express (50/1), Silky Wilkie (66/1), Coachello (80/1)

This is wide open as usual but AMERICAN AFFAIR did remarkably well to land the Portland at Doncaster last week having suffered a poor run and can make light of a 5 lb penalty. The handily-weighted Rohaan hinted at a revival when an eye-catching Ascot third last time and could emerge as the main danger to Jim Goldie's much improved sprinter. Last year's runner-up Ramazan can also have a say along with Northern Express, Jordan Electrics and Room Service in an ultra competitive Ayr Gold Cup.