14:25 Ayr

Saturday 21 September 2024

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

Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 1m 8.09s

(2)

Bergerac^b⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| D

17/2

Resumed winning ways at Newcastle in June and has held his form well since. Wasn't beaten far when sixth in the 2022 Gold Cup won by Summerghand but finished out with the washing in this race last year (and in 2021). Others make more appeal.

Form: 981566

(22)

Alfa Kellenic³⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: William Pyle⁽³⁾| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 88| CD

9/2

Highly progressive 3-y-o who landed a Newcastle maiden in January and has won all 4 starts in turf handicaps since, including over this C&D on her penultimate outing. Latest success at York was over 7f but dropping back in trip won't be an issue and a 5 lb penalty may not stop her.

Form: 411111

(1)

Paws For Thought^p⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 85| D

16/1

Looked as good as ever aged six when recently registering his fifth success at Chester (7f, heavy). Versatile with regard to both ground and trip but he may find this a shade too competitive under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 861241

(12)

Summerghand^p⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| CD

11/2

Admirable sprinter who has been a standing dish in big handicaps such as this over the years, enjoying arguably his finest hour when landing the Gold Cup here off 13 lb higher in 2022. Well held in that race last year and winless so far this season but there have been encouraging signs of late.

Form: 300466

(3)

Two Tribes^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: George Wood| T: R Spencer| OR: 90

17/2

Likeable sort who typically gave his running when fourth in a valuable, big-field York handicap (6f, good to firm) last month. Carried his head awkwardly when last of 7 on slower ground at Ascot since but that was probably more owing to the steady gallop than underfoot conditions. Each-way chance.

Form: 204547

(23)

Mr Wagyu^v³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 88| CD

33/1

Another grand campaigner who has been a consistent feature in valuable sprint handicaps for a number of years, including respectable efforts in the last two runnings of the Gold Cup at this meeting. Best effort so far this season when going close at Epsom in June but form has cooled off since.

Form: 232800

(19)

Grant Wood¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 87| D

28/1

Likeable type who is enjoying a good campaign, his fourth career victory coming in the Silver Trophy at Ripon last month. Far from disgraced off this 7 lb higher mark when 2 lengths fourth to Kings Merchant at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) but will certainly need to better than if he's to take this.

Form: 013714

(5)

Rhythm N Hooves^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 86| D

11/1

Rather in-and-out this year, a mixed bag since adding to his tally at Doncaster at the end of May. Currently 1 lb below that winning mark and latest Goodwood second was a decent enough effort (final start for Archie Watson), though, so there is cause for optimism.

Form: 300602

(6)

Kings Merchant¹⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 82| D

15/2

Showed plenty of promise in 3 starts as a juvenile and has barely put a foot wrong this year, out of the frame just once and winning 3 times from 8 appearances so far in 2024. Overcame traffic problems when striking at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and he merits respect under a penalty.

Form: 513121

(10)

Lucky Man^b³³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Egan| T: R Spencer| OR: 80| D

22/1

Well held in this race 12 months ago but he was a good fourth in the 2022 Gold Cup here and, given a positive ride in first-time blinkers, he snapped a losing run at Windsor (6f, good to firm) last time. Remains on a good mark and while bossing this field won't be easy, he needs a second look.

Form: 0-20971

(24)

Roberto Caro²³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 82| D

25/1

Still lightly raced and made it 2-3 for this yard when accounting for 7 rivals in a handicap at Carlisle (5.8f, soft) last month. Probably has more to offer but a chunk of improvement will be needed if he's to follow up here under a penalty.

Form: 124151

(13)

Admiral D²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

20/1

Seventh to Summerghand in the 2022 Gold Cup and put in a good shift when third in this very race off a 1 lb higher mark 12 months ago. A reproduction of that effort would give him a real chance but this 5-y-o isn't the most genuine of types and he was safely held at York last time.

Form: 025860

(11)

Emperor's Son³⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S A Gray| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85

66/1

Positive start to his career when landing a 5f Carlisle novice last June prior to coming up short in Group races at Royal Ascot and the York Ebor meeting. Retains potential given his low-mileage but this is a big ask for one so inexperienced, not to mention that he's returning from over a year off.

Form: 100-

(16)

Aramram⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 84| D

9/1

Winner at Nottingham in May and doubled his tally when arriving late on the scene to take a 6f handicap at Doncaster (good to soft) last weekend. More on his plate here but he escapes a penalty and his profile suggests that further progress could be forthcoming.

Form: 544031

(9)

Jenever⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 82| D

25/1

Confirmed the promise of his York run when landing a 5f Sandown handicap in June. Solid second off this mark over the same C&D last time and while this is a tougher assignment, it wouldn't be the biggest of surprises to see this 5-y-o take a hand in the finish.

Form: 435152

(17)

Sergeant Pep⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: C G Cox| OR: 82| D

25/1

Dual winner as a 3-y-o who started this season in good order and was firmly back on track when scoring at Haydock (6f, good) in July. Didn't disgrace himself over the same C&D next time but he's probably biting off more than he can chew here in any case.

Form: 743019

(25)

Londoner^p1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 82

66/1

Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien and stepped up on previous efforts for this yard when fourth of 12 in a typically competitive Racing League handicap at Newcastle last month. However, he wasn't in the same form at Southwell next time and others have more compelling credentials. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 070748

(18)

Never Dark¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Loughnane| T: I Jardine| OR: 82

80/1

Made all at Nottingham in July but has found life tougher since, again finishing nearer last than first at Haydock recently. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 892600

(4)

Rock Opera³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| D

12/1

Back on the scoresheet at Doncaster in June and performed well above market expectations when third in a valuable York handicap 3 starts back. However, he failed to land a blow in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon since and will probably find this too competitive.

Form: 219340

(7)

Curious Rover¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 83

28/1

Successful twice at 2 yrs and back in the groove when runner-up at York at Musselburgh (both at around 5f) in July/August. Form has dipped since, though, and he will probably find a few too good here.

Form: 332266

(14)

Twelfth Knight²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| D

125/1

Appeared to take a step back in the right direction when third on penultimate start at Ripon (6f, firm) but followed that with a lesser effort over the same C&D 22 days later.

Form: 556839

(21)

Be Proud^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Amie Waugh⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 79| CD

66/1

His last 2 wins have come over this C&D, the latest off 2 lb lower in June. Second in the 2021 Bronze Cup but he was out with the washing in this race last year and recent efforts at Doncaster and Hamilton have been fair at best.

Form: 013456

Non-Runners

(20)

Abduction¹⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: J S Goldie J: Non Runner

(15)

Brooklyn Nine Nine¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: Connor Murtagh

(8)

The Coffee Pod¹⁵

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Alfa Kellenic (9/2), Summerghand (11/2), Brooklyn Nine Nine (13/2), Kings Merchant (15/2), Bergerac (17/2), Two Tribes (17/2), Aramram (9/1), Rhythm N Hooves (11/1), Rock Opera (12/1), Paws For Thought (16/1), Admiral D (20/1), Lucky Man (22/1), Jenever (25/1), Roberto Caro (25/1), Sergeant Pep (25/1), Abduction (25/1), Curious Rover (28/1), Grant Wood (28/1), Mr Wagyu (33/1), Emperor's Son (66/1), Be Proud (66/1), Londoner (66/1), Never Dark (80/1), Twelfth Knight (125/1), The Coffee Pod (150/1)

As far as 4-y-o sprint handicappers go BROOKLYN NINE NINE has relatively low mileage and is appealing here on the back of a near-miss at Ascot where he was returning from a four-month break and understandably looked a shade rusty. That will have sharpened him up and a strongly-run race back at 6f could be just what the doctor ordered. The highly progressive filly Alfa Kellenic is not passed over at all lightly and is clear second choice ahead of Aramram, Kings Merchant and Lucky Man.