16:12 Ayr

Wednesday 20 May 2026

All13:4214:1214:4215:1215:4216:1216:4217:15

Birra Poretti Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 1m 28.33s

(8)

Roaring Ralph^b¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 70| C| D

9/2

Has thrived at Southwell this year, winning 3 times (all 1m) and runner-up on 3 other occasions (including 7f) from 6 visits. Course winner earlier in career so no reason why he can't continue the good work back on turf.

Form: 221112

(4)

Kelpie Grey³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 69| CD

11/8

C&D winner. Fifteen runs since last win in 2024 but well handicapped as a result and reappearance sixth of 10 at Musselburgh was respectable.

Form: 95705-6

(7)

Mr Cool^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C Johnston| OR: 69

14/1

Two turf wins over 6f in first half of 2025. Best effort this year when runner-up at Kempton (7f) in March but failed to back it up when only fifth of 10 returned to turf at Doncaster 19 days ago.

Form: 064725

(3)

Al Muqdad^p⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68| CD

9/2

Wide-margin winner of Wolverhampton 0-70 in November. Has been operating below his best on all-weather this year but well handicapped if a return to Ayr (dual C&D winner) and 0-70 level helps to spark a revival.

Form: 673606

(1)

Elizabeth Bay²²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Greg Fairley| T: K Scott| OR: 67

80/1

Fair maiden for Jane Chapple-Hyam but below that level in 3 outings for Katie Scott at the end of 2025. A watching brief is advised on return unless the betting suggests otherwise.

Form: 932438-

(2)

Valentine Catcher^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 64

6/1

Stepped up on reappearance when second of 8 at Pontefract (6f, good) last month and a subsequent Doncaster effort can be forgiven as he met trouble.

Form: 657-926

(6)

Novak¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 64| CD

11/1

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2025. No extra late on when fifth of 7 in 1m course handicap 15 days and will be suited by this return to 7f. Enters calculations.

Form: 246585

(9)

Maui Breeze^p¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 62

40/1

Runner-up over 1m at Newcastle just after Christmas but below that level in 3 outings in January/February. Given a break ahead of this return to turf with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 552-907

(5)

Royal Blaze^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 59| C| D

16/1

Course winner over 1¼m. Creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at this course (9f, good to firm) 15 days ago, keeping on when short of room final 100 yds. Scored over 7f in 2023 but the vast majority of his starts since have been over much further.

Form: 9023-44

Forecasts

Kelpie Grey (11/8), Roaring Ralph (9/2), Al Muqdad (9/2), Valentine Catcher (6/1), Novak (11/1), Mr Cool (14/1), Royal Blaze (16/1), Maui Breeze (40/1), Elizabeth Bay (80/1)

AL MUQDAD is down at 0-70 level for the first time since an easy win at Wolverhampton towards the end of last year and might be worth chancing to stage a revival at a track where he's tasted success in the past. Roaring Ralph will be a danger if he can translate this year's excellent all-weather form back to turf. Novak should benefit from the drop back to 7f and is next on the list.