tracked leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside last
slowly into stride, ridden halfway, always behind
slowly into stride, raced green, outpaced and reminders 4f out, ridden halfway, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside last
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong to chase winner nearest finish
A modest maiden to open the card at Ayr and, considering the form displayed by Mark Johnston's crop of juveniles so far this season, it would be no surprise to see Alzao colt, Kirkstone, make a winning racecourse debut. His stablemate, Munaawashat, does not look to be the most straightforward of characters so fellow debutantes Violet Avenue and City Affair could give the selection the most to think about. However, it could be significant that Johnston has chosen to introduce Kirkstone here rather than travel to Sandown for a similar contest later in the week. The Middleham-based handler has an impressive 26 per cent strike-rate with his juveniles at this course and the hint should be taken again today if the market indications before the race are positive.