September 27 / 17.10 Ayr

17.10

Good

Virgin Bet Fives Handicap

  • Prize money: £3726
  • 1m 7f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Fives Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 553160

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Second in a Musselburgh bumper on debut (1m7f, good) in March and off the mark at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last month, but not so good since; has a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Ayr

Aighear

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Has won three times here, all with give in the ground, twice over this trip; would be interesting if the ground eases but usually comes on for her first run.

5/1

11

(1)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:06 Newbury

Aighear

8st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Ended a long losing sequence when winning at Ayr (1m7f, soft) last month and she followed up there (1m5f, heavy) a fortnight ago; also effective elsewhere and this in-form mare could play another leading role.

3/1

6

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Aighear

9st 1lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Ended a losing run going back to September 2022 when winning here (1m7f, soft) last Tuesday; her profile suggests her credentials for following up are questionable, but she had 3l to spare last week and a 4lb penalty may not stop her if she can reproduce that form.

9/4

5/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 065852 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Improved form when on first try at 2m when close second at Newcastle last time (second-time visor, well clear of the remainder); headgear retained, unexposed as a stayer and a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Scottish Dancer

11st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

1-16 over hurdles and lost his way in this discipline when trained in Ireland; however, he's back on track for new yard having finished first and second in 1m6f/2m Flat handicaps this month; could be on a handy mark back over jumps.

5/1

2nd

1

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Scottish Dancer

10st 0lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tim Reed

Lost his way in Ireland last year as a hurdler but, having first Flat run since June 2023, made a winning start from the front for new yard in handicap at Thirsk (1m6f, good to firm) 15 days ago; the big outsider of five that day and dictated a slow pace, but he's gone back up by just 2lb and the return to 2m may well suit him; major player in bid to win a second time under Millie Wonnacott.

9/2

1st

3

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Scottish Dancer

9st 6lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tim Reed

Dual Flat winner at up to 2m for Keith Dalgleish in early summer 2023; consistent in handicap hurdles in Ireland in 2024, including a 2m6f win, but lost his way badly there last year; back on the Flat for a new yard after 196 days off with a fair bit to prove.

20/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 142584

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Creditable fourth over 1m4f at Catterick on return from a break last time and should fare even better now stepped back up in trip (latest win was over 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(6)

15th Feb 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Socially Shady

9st 12lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Hold-up performer with a poor strike-rate; close fifth at Kempton (2m) last time in a race that wasn't run to suit and the prospect of another steady pace reduces his appeal.

7/2

5th

1

(10)

27th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Socially Shady

9st 12lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Hold-up performer who is hard to win with (4-44) and needs everything to fall right, which didn't happen when a never-dangerous third at Southwell last month; capable but not without risk.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 832-43

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner over jumps but not been in the best of form on last couple of starts; yet to win on the Flat but good third at Wolverhampton on latest start back in March (2m); quite interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:33 Stratford

Floating Rock

10st 7lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Michael Gates

Course winner in 2022; had hinted at promise this season until beating only one in 2m2f handicap here in October; returns after wind surgery now.

25/1

13

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Floating Rock

10st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Michael Gates

Gained two of his five hurdling wins over C&D (both in sellers) but the latest was in October 2022; ran well to a point in two recent 2m6f handicaps here (wore blinkers; doesn't today) and may benefit from this drop back in trip but younger rivals appeal more.

14/1

13

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Floating Rock

10st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Michael Gates

Gained two of his five hurdling wins over C&D (both in sellers) but the latest was in October 2022; ran well to a point in two recent 2m6f handicaps here (wore blinkers; doesn't today) and may benefit from this drop back in trip but younger rivals appeal more.

14/1

Form: 418-03

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner over 2m (good to soft/good to firm) who was a creditable third to a progressive sort at Ripon last time (2m, good); chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

16th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle

Tomorrows Angel

10st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Badly out of form over hurdles during the winter and also struggled in a recent Flat marathon; very difficult to enthuse over at present.

33/1

8th

7

(10)

24th Apr 2023

Good

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:10 Pontefract

Tomorrows Angel

9st 3lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tristan Davidson

Something to prove regarding current form as she was a long way below her best over hurdles this winter; however, she's had a break and this strong stayer could prove suited by today's marathon test; not ruled out.

9/1

5th

11

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:55 Ayr

Tomorrows Angel

10st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has modest 1-19 strike-rate over hurdles and was always towards rear on her last three appearances; needs to turn things around.

33/1

14/1

Form: 846526

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped now, and has a chance on his best form (faced a stiff task last time), but hasn't won since scoring on his first two starts as a juvenile (2016) when with Mark Johnston.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

16:28 Wetherby

Monticello

10st 4lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Neil Mechie

held up in last, jumped right and lost ground 4th, mistake 9th, tailed off from 10th, pulled up before 12th

50/1

10th

12

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:05 Pontefract

Monticello

8st 11lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Neil Mechie

slowly away, always behind

66/1

13

22nd Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 4

15:20 Cartmel

Monticello

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Neil Mechie

prominent, outpaced and lost position before 2 out, pulled up before last

100/1

Form: 604543

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced sort who seemed to show improved form on first run at beyond 1m3f when third over 1m6f at Redcar last time (good to soft); further improvement likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Usually runs at Newcastle and has never won elsewhere; inconsistent results in classified races this year; not beaten far at Southwell on penultimate but lacks solidity.

25/1

10th

5

(1)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing here, winning three times (7f/1m) in the first half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to get heavily involved, though.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing at Newcastle, his three wins coming there (7f/1m) in the first-half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to be competitive, though.

10/1

Form: -76110 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Winner over 1m5f and 1m6f in July/August (good/good to firm) but needs to bounce back from a poor run ten days ago (tailed off over 1m6f at Redcar); first run at 1m7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner in January 2024 and several fair efforts after that; ran his best race since a 590-day break when a good fourth at Catterick last time; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

8

(6)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Desert Quest

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

Well treated on his 2024 exploits and, having returned from a long absence in February, it's possible he's working his way back into form; however, this 8yo is not easy to fancy on the evidence of this year's two runs.

33/1

5th

10

(6)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Pulled hard when finishing last in a 0-55 handicap over C&D recently, his first start in around 18 months; entitled to improve but is very hard to recommend.

33/1

Form: 552240 BF

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Unexposed sort who had two good runs over 1m5.5f and 1m6f to his credit in April but has fared less well since (tailed off when tried blinkered last time); headgear dispensed with and couldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

11th Oct 2022

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:02 Newcastle (AW)

Satanic Moon

9st 7lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

towards rear, pushed along when headway and switched to near side 3f out, ridden and led 2f out, soon hard pressed, kept on final 110yds

13/2

9th

8

(8)

27th Sep 2022

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Ayr

Satanic Moon

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

dwelt start, in rear, headway and in touch with leaders halfway, prominent 6f out, weakened from under 3f out

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.00
Straight Forecast £27.34
Tricast £135.54
Trifecta £190.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Marcello Si

The Times:

Scottish Dancer

Telegraph:

Desert Quest

Daily Express:

Floating Rock

SPOTLIGHT:

Tomorrow's Angel

RP Ratings:

Socially Shady

The Star:

Scottish Dancer

Daily Mail:

Marcello Si

Daily Record:

Marcello Si

Daily Mirror:

Desert Quest

The Sun:

Floating Rock

The Guardian:

Tomorrow's Angel