17:05 Ayr

Thursday 9 October 2025

All13:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:3017:05

London Essence Handicap

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 3m 8.43s

(7)

Inspire Hope¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Kaiya Fraser| T: R Menzies| OR: 64

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat. Modest winner at 17f over hurdles. 6/1, last of 4 in handicap at this course (15f, good) though did have excuses given she was left poorly placed and also lost her footing. Off 161 days and this will reveal more.

Form: 64-44

(10)

Vampire Slayer^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: D Nolan| T: D Bourke| OR: 59

12/1

Seventh of 9 in handicap (10/1) at Hamilton (12.1f, good to soft) 10 days ago. Should come on for that return to action and cheekpieces back on.

Form: 422-727

(5)

Amalfina^v²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 63

3/1

13/2 and visored for first time, fourth of 6 in handicap at Sandown (10f, heavy) 22 days ago. Significantly back up in trip for her successful yard.

Form: 4-54954

(4)

Velvet Vulcan^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Kirrane| T: R M Smith| OR: 49

7/1

13/2, fifth of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (15.8f, AW) 35 days ago, unsuited by way race developed. First run for yard after leaving Mike Murphy and market may guide.

Form: 720715

(6)

Alfred Spero¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jake Dickson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 55

11/4

Promising sort. 11/1, very good fourth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) 11 days ago, denied a clear run twice. Makes turf debut and this mark looks well within range.

Form: 9944

(1)

Aighear⁹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Amie Waugh⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 45| C

5/2

14/1, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at this course (15f, good to soft) 9 days ago, overcoming pace bias. Carries penalty but from this low base, she has to be taken very seriously.

Form: 008531

(2)

Elvington^b1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: L Bailey| OR: 46

50/1

Last of 6 in handicap (25/1) at Hamilton (12.1f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Blinkers on first time.

Form: 35-8826

(9)

Millbuie^v¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Rowan Scott| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 45

12/1

Remains a maiden after 18 Flat runs. Respectable fourth of 9 in handicap at Hamilton (12.1f, good to soft, 10/1) 10 days ago, very slowly away. Visor back on. Others more persuasive.

Form: 456404

(8)

Royal Countess^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 45| C

100/1

Course winner. Seventeen runs since last win in 2023. 80/1, seventh of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (8f, good to soft) 26 days ago, merely passing beaten rivals. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 7-59887

(3)

Angelardo^p1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: William Pyle⁽³⁾| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

28/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Seventh of 9 in maiden (150/1) at Carlisle (11.2f, soft) 30 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 707

Forecasts

Aighear (5/2), Alfred Spero (11/4), Amalfina (3/1), Velvet Vulcan (7/1), Vampire Slayer (12/1), Millbuie (12/1), Inspire Hope (16/1), Angelardo (28/1), Elvington (50/1), Royal Countess (100/1)

ALFRED SPERO was an eye-catcher on handicap debut 11 days ago and switched to turf, he's a tempting alternative to Aighear, who is sure to be popular following last week's easy course win. Velvet Vulcan requires a market check for his new yard.