Racecards
14:15 Ayr
E.b.f. Maiden Stakes (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 7f 50y
- Going: Firm, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 65
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Tony Culhane
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
steadied start, held up, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden and no impression
Snowflight
24- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
raced keenly in touch, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 62
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey Dean McKeown
held up, headway when not clear run 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 75 yards
Verdict
The market might prove informative here but, without that, we will side with Tartan Tie over Al Raahi and Snowflight. Al Raahi has shown promise on each start to date and wasn't beaten too far behind the subsequent Superlative Stakes fourth, Rallying Cry, last time. He looks a major player today. Snowflight's debut fourth rates as a fair first effort, while Tartan Tie hails from a yard that is very much in form and, a 40,000 guineas purchase who attracts plenty of interest on breeding, looks set to play his part today. Finally, Valbenny probably needs to improve on his overall form in order to score but, for the selection, we return to Tartan Tie.
Formwatch
Al Raahi 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Rallying Cry (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) frm.
Chookie Hamilton 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 13l behind Frosty Night (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Snowflight 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, hung left and outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Champery (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Tartan Tie Grand Lodge colt, half-brother to winners up to 1m.
Valbenny (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Zanida (8-11) at Ayr 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jun.