Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to the best of the action on Day 2 of Ayr’s Western Meeting.
The Listed British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes (2.15) has been won in recent years by future Group 1 winners Quiet Reflection (2015) and Winter Power (2020).
The next race on the card is the Listed Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes (3.25). And that race is followed by the first of the Ayr Gold Cup consolation races the Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup (3:35).
There’s also Listed action at Newbury on Friday which hosts the Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (4:10) is the feature race on the card.
The most valuable race on Friday isn’t at Ayr or Newbury though. It’s at Listowel were the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (Listed) (2:05) is the centrepiece of an eight race card. This 3m contest is worth €59,000 to the winner and looks a good race.
Ayr
1:45 – Government Callin the first time cheekpieces was the one I liked initially in this nursery handicap but he’s now a non-runner. So, I’m going for one in the same ownership Media Shooter. A winner at Wolverhampton on his second start. The gelding wasn’t disgraced when a 6 ¼ length 6th of 22 to Dragon Leader in valuable sales race at York last month. Respected on handicap debut for the inform Karl Burke yard who won this corresponding race in 2018.
2:15 – British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Purosangue won on racecourse debut at Haydock in June and produced a career best when a neck runner-up to Big Evs in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.Not quite in the same form when runner-up in the Listed Roses Stakes at York last time but that was on much quicker ground and any ease in the ground will suit the colt. A worthy enough favourite and the one to beat.
Beautiful Diamond will find this easier than when third in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and a 1 ½ length 5th of 8 in the Lowther Stakes at York last time. Set for a big run and could value against the favourite.
Of the rest. Queen’s Guard built on the promise of her racecourse debut when winning a Yarmouth maiden last month. The daughter of Havana Grey is open to further improvement on just her third start and hold a Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes entry.
2:50 – Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race) – 5 ½ f
Last year’s winner Gale Force Maya and runner-up Pink Crystal must be respected. Although both would want the ground to dry out to good or quicker. Of the pair Gale Force Maya must bounce back from a couple of lesser runs. However, the first time blinkers replace the cheekpiece's and the mares form figures in September are 2222391111.
Marine Wave was an eyecatcher when a ½ length when 3rd of 14 in a fillies 5f handicap at York last month. She had to wait for a gap 2f. Once in the clear she was running on best of all. It was a good effort dropped back to the minimum trip. The return to further will suit the 3-year-old who must be respected back into pattern company.
Irish challenger Aussie Girl won a Curragh handicap (7f) in June. And has since finished runner-up in a Listed race (6f) Naas and a Group 3 (6f) back their last time. Ground versatile, this progressive 3-year-old should be bang there.
Queen Me had been highly tried this season running in a Group 1 company on all three starts. She finished a 1 length 3rd of 12 in the Group 3 fillies’ juvenile race at this meeting 12 months ago and will at least appreciate today’s ease in grade.
3:25 – Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup Handicap – 6f
The first of the Ayr Gold Cup consolation races and not surprisingly the race has attracted a maximum field of 25 runners. I’m sticking with the top three in the handicap.
Top weight Rock Melody will be suited by the forecast strong pace. She won twice over the minimum trip at Musselburgh earlier in the season but went close over C&D in July and finished 3rd of 13 in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton. Definite claims in this company.
Music Society won this race in 2019. And he finished one place and nose in front of Rock Melody over C&D in July. Hasn’t been at his best on his last three starts. However, the handicapper is giving him a chance, as he’s now 2lb below last year’s winning mark.
Ascot Adventure is on a losing run that goes back to May 2022. But he's been running well without winning since joining David O’Meara in the spring. Not sure about stall 6. However, if it’s not an inconvenience he’s high on the shortlist with a strongly run 6f set to suit.
Little Muddy won twice in the spring at Doncaster & C&D and finished 2 lengths in front of Ascot Adventure at York in July. The mare has been mostly consistent this season and she bounced back from a race lesser run when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 11 at Nottingham 43 days ago. On a career high mark but looks competitive on softish ground.
Friday Selection:
There are few fancies that are just too short or have ground concerns in the big races at Ayr. So i'm going for one later on the card.
4:00 – Top weight Cosmos Raj, 1-2 over C&D, got no sort of run between the final two furlongs when a 2 ¼ length 4th of 12 at Ripon 24 days ago. With a better run he would have gone close to winning at Ripon. He's off the same mark today and should be there or thereabouts.
Good luck with your Friday selections.
John