Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ayr, Newbury and Catterick. View selections below.
SUMMERGHAND (3.35) can make a bold bid to defy top weight and record a second straight Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup victory.
Danny Tudhope’s mount forced a dead-heat at York last month and his recent Curragh fourth, when poorly drawn, was yet another excellent effort.
Summerghand had a length in hand of Commanche Falls 12 months ago with re-opposing Juan Les Pins held in third. He was drawn in stall 12 on that occasion and is berthed in box 15 this afternoon. You need to travel back 92 years to find the last consecutive winner of the big Scottish sprint but Summerghand is capable of defying the record books.
Juan Les Pins looks a big threat as he is due to go up 8lb in future and there will be support for Significantly, beaten on the nod in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last week.
Mr Wagyu’s form figures at Ayr read 1312535 and he was on good terms with himself when placed at the Curragh 13 days ago.
Fast Response and dual Wokingham Handicap winner Rohaan are another couple of possibles at decent each-way odds, while Bielsa cannot be dismissed seeking to supplement his 2021 victory in this cavalry charge.
The consolation Silver Cup (run at 2.25) may provide a clue to any potential draw bias.
Noel Meade’s Irish raider Helvic Dream is an interesting contender in the 1m 2f Doonside Cup but the vote goes to Karl Burke’s ROYAL RHYME (1.50).
The colt is at his best with some ease underfoot and romped more than six lengths clear at Glorious Goodwood, supplementing an earlier wide-margin victory in the mud at Newmarket.
Pride Of America is a worthy opponent, having won for Amy Murphy on yielding surfaces at Chester and York.
A 1m 5f handicap brings the curtain down on Ayr’s annual three-day fixture and top weight MR CURIOSITY (5.20) is fancied for the Tim Easterby-David Allan combination.
The gelding handled soft ground when accounting for Chillingham at Ripon in late July and has performed with credit in three subsequent Class 2 handicaps at Goodwood, York and Haydock.
Vaynor enjoyed the run of the race out in front when just holding on from Strawman at Thirsk a fortnight ago and third-placed Furzig is back to take him on again.
Jim Goldie’s durable Sir Chauvelin bounced back to winning form at Southwell ten days ago.
Newbury’s classy card sees BALANCE PLAY (2.40) bidding to get back on track after a below-par effort at York.
Ralph Beckett’s three-year-old was shuffled along in rear and never looked happy on the Knavesmire but was a very different proposition when scoring earlier on softer ground at Chester and Goodwood.
In-form Totnes and Le Mans will have their supporters in this 1m 2f handicap but Balance Play is worth a decent punt.
There is some competitive action at Catterick and SHAZAM (4.40) looked all over the winner when kicking for home early in the straight at Yarmouth on Thursday before being reeled in close home.
Kevin Philippart De Foy has wasted no time in bringing out his filly for this 1m 4f handicap and she can go one better.
Brian Ellison saddled last year’s winner Nietzsche and relies on four-time course winner The Dancing Poet, a well-backed scorer here 11 days ago.
Sanction won for Ed Bethell at Nottingham last month on her first start since leaving William Haggas and cannot be dismissed along with Mick Appleby’s Newmarket winner Squeezebox.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
