16:50 Ayr

Wednesday 24 May 2017

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:2017:55

Jack Daniel's Handicap

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 2m 6.17s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Spes Nostra^b⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 73| C| D

20/1

Seen at his best for a long time when winning at Newcastle last time over 1m2f given a chance by the handicapper (9lb lower than for his last win). Not that consistent but still remains on a decent mark.

Form: 483381

(10)

Age of Elegance^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 77| D

8/1

Dual winner at Beverley last year in August over 1m2f and 1m4f off lower marks and ran respectably afterwards on both turf and AW. Looked to need the run at Thirsk last time over 1m4f having the run of the race and may well improve.

Form: 25428-5

(11)

Royal Regent¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Sammy Jo Bell⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 74| CD

8/1

Dual course winner who returned with a good run over this C&D last time out showing up well and only losing out to a mildly progressive and unexposed one. Should be able to be competitive off this mark and make an impression.

Form: 31590-2

(2)

Eez Eh^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 71

14/1

Winner at Carlisle last year and looking as though he's needed a couple of runs to get him going this year. Work to do with Royal Regent on his running here last time but expected to make another step forward with his stable going much better of late.

Form: 2216-95

(5)

Restive^h⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 69

7/2

Failed to win since taking a mile maiden at the Curragh on 2015 when with Ger Lyons. Falling down in the weights in handicaps but not showing much sign of taking advantage and the losing run continues to grow.

Form: 772834

(8)

Gworn¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: R M Smith| OR: 68| CD

8/1

Formerly quite a smart handicapper and has won over C&D but looks to have regressed of late and the last win came back in 2015 (off 81). Attracted support last time out over a mile but still look as though his spark was missing.

Form: 48790-4

(1)

Stardrifter¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 67

66/1

Formerly with Richard Fahey (ran some reasonable races in handicaps) he was way below form after a break and on his first run for his new yard. Offered little encouragement there and hopes pinned on an increased trip for a return to form although the yard are quiet at the moment.

Form: 03359-0

(7)

Strummer^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 65

12/1

Strong travelling sort who often flatters to deceive and is hard to trust in a finish. A drop to 0-60 was required to see him win at Wolverhampton but he 's finished weakly again since and ran a very poor race over C&D last time.

Form: 714-428

(13)

Miningrocks⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Phil Dennis⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 65| CD

18/1

From a yard that have been in excellent form of late hitting a real purple patch and this one will be dangerous if he establishes an easy lead. May well have needed the run last time on his seasonal return and interesting here with the way the race may pan out with front/prominent runners often favoured at this track.

Form: 18230-0

(14)

Trinity Star^b²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 65| C| D

14/1

Capable performer who is operating below his best at the moment although he was poorly drawn for one with his hold-up run style last time. Capable off this mark but does need everything to drop his way to be able to win.

Form: 0-56085

(9)

Bit Of A Quirke²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: D C Costello| T: M Walford| OR: 64| D

6/1

Winner over this trip last time at Beverley outbattling Strummer after showing up well previously at Pontefract. Has to operate off a 4lb higher mark in a better grade but has a likeable attitude and that will stand him in good stead.

Form: 2226-21

(4)

Arithmetic¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 64

13/2

Just the type that this yard do well with and he shaped well last time out over C&D (Strummer well beaten) showing that he was capable of winning off this mark. Did best of those positioned close up and off the same mark here, must enter the equation.

Form: 330-053

Non-Runners

(3)

Konig Dax³²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: A C Whillans J: T Eaves

(12)

Falcon's Fire¹⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: K Dalgleish J: J Fanning

Forecasts

Restive (7/2), Bit Of A Quirke (6/1), Arithmetic (13/2), Gworn (8/1), Royal Regent (8/1), Age of Elegance (8/1), Falcon's Fire (10/1), Strummer (12/1), Trinity Star (14/1), Eez Eh (14/1), Miningrocks (18/1), Spes Nostra (20/1), Konig Dax (20/1), Stardrifter (66/1)

A decent handicap with a few that have shown promise of late and are likely to make their mark over this trip and in this grade. Royal Regent always runs a solid race around here and is likely to build on his runner-up slot last time with Eez Eh another who could well step forward. Trinity Star is capable but quirky and Age Of Elegance would be preferred after his recent return to action. Bit Of A Quirke has a very likeable attitude but does need to improve with ARITHMETIC taken to go two better than last time out over this C&D looking just the type his yard do well with.