Racecards
16:30 Ayr
James Halstead Plc Handicap (Class 5)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good-Good to Firm in places on Straight Course.
- Surface: Turf
- £4,200 added
Fikrah
25- Form 4000/00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer D M Loughnane
- Jockey R P Cleary
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 16/128-5
- Age 5
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 69
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 124211
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer J G Given
- Jockey P Mulrennan
raced wide intouch, led 2f out, ran on final furlong, comfortable
- Form 39-3242
- Age 6
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey G Bartley
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
- Form 63-5355
- Age 5
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey T Hamilton
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
- Form 5427-53
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 62
in rear, wide and headway over 2f out, went 2nd briefly just inside final furlong, no extra near finish
- Form 473-523
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer J R Weymes
- Jockey A Elliott
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 00-5649
- Age 8
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 58
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression until stayed on towards finish
Real Desire
285- Form 028889-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey J P Sullivan
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
- Form 3000-60
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 46
- Trainer M McDonagh
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
always in rear
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Dream Of Olwyn is looking to improve on a mediocre seasonal bow whilst Marjury Daw is the only horse in the field who comes here on the back of a win but may find this a tougher test so we side with GRAND DIAMOND who is rated the same after a narrow second at this course last time out. Grand Diamond ran on well last time out and is stepped up a further furlong in trip for this contest. Stamina shouldn't be an issue given some previous efforts have been over greater distances and he has handled those adequately. There is a reservation that he hasn't won in two years but his last performance when seen here is enough for us to side with him today. This is the right trip for Dream Of Olwyn but did not return from a break with a bang last time at Leicester. She is likely to improve for that run out though and more can be expected here. Marjury Daw was a good winner at Redcar last time over today's trip and has strong claims. She looks the main danger to our pick, Grand Diamond.
Formwatch
Fikrah 28-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 11th of 13, 15l behind Royal Astronomer (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcap gf in Jun.
Dream of Olwyn (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, pressed leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Scamperdale (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Marjury Daw (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led 4f out, shaken up when challenged over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf beating Bavarica (9-9) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Soon held up in mid-division on inside, headway when not clear run from 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on, never getting there, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Red Skipper (8-7) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Talk of Saafend (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 9l behind Silver Rime (10-0) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Chantilly Pearl (USA) 11-4fav (9-12) Dwelt, took keen hold in touch, headway over 1f out, weent 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind City Vaults Girl (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf in May.
Highkingofireland 7-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and switched left over 3f out, every chance and ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Northern Acres (8-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Holiday Cocktail 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Highland Love (8-8) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Real Desire 100-1 (7-10) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 30l behind Capable Guest (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Deal Clincher 33-1 (9-1) Towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 11th of 15, 11l behind Gagnant (9-13) at Roscommon 7f hcp 47-60 gf in Jun.