October 06 / 15.00 Ayr

15.00

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £6156
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 225609 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Almost two years since he won and he isn't as good now but he boasts a decent record in the autumn, likes it here and won't have minded the rain; poorly drawn in the Silver Cup last time and this race is easier than he's used to, down 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Multiple winner down the years and gained his most recent success (narrowly, three starts ago) off current mark; subsequent dip in form is the negative.

12/1

11th

1

(15)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Getting on but retains a lot of his old ability, is still consistent enough and has won over C&D before; rare off-day at Thirsk a fortnight ago, having beating a subsequent winner in a small field off 1lb lower previously; quite capable of bouncing back.

12/1

6th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Retains a large portion of his ability despite his advanced years and took advantage of a reduced mark at Cattterick (6f, good) ten days ago; only nudged up 1lb for that narrow success.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 143451 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Hasn't always looked the easiest but he's enjoyed a consistent season, winning three times here; those wins all came in lesser company, however, and he's run poorly in two starts on soft ground, so the rain would have to be a niggling worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

16:05 Hamilton

Classy Al

8st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Does plenty wrong during his races but it hasn't stopped him from winning seven times, two of them over C&D; running himself back into form this year but others appeal more.

12/1

4th

3

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Classy Al

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

No stranger to the Ayr winners' enclosure, winning five at this track (5f-7f), including this race two years ago; has struggled for form in two 5f spins at Musselburgh this year, which makes him hard to fancy; on the plus side, the handicapper is beginning to give him a chance.

10/1

14th

16

(8)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Classy Al

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Posted a duck egg over C&D last weekend on reappearance, taking Musselburgh record to 0-8; has done all his winning at Ayr and Hamilton; not the percentage call.

33/1

10/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 870742 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Handles slow ground but has done her winning on fast turf/Tapeta; better effort behind Maple Jack over C&D last week, having finished well behind stablemate Iris Dancer previously, and is entitled to close the gap somewhat on 7lb better terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(10)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Pearl Of Qatar

8st 11lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tristan Davidson

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, pushed along when chased winner over 2f out, switched left and ridden over 1f out, kept on but lost second inside final furlong, no extra final 110yds

10/1

2nd

9

(4)

27th Sep 2022

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:19 Ayr

Pearl Of Qatar

9st 7lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tristan Davidson

took keen hold, midfield, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on and went second but no chance with winner final 110yds

20/1

4th

4

(6)

18th Sep 2022

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

14:00 Hamilton

Pearl Of Qatar

9st 4lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tristan Davidson

held up in midfield, pushed along over 2f out, soon hung right and ridden, kept on but no impression inside final furlong

20/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: 204972

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Well over two years since he won; did much better in the Silver Cup over C&D last time (has gone well fresh before) but was better drawn than Aberama Gold and is 4lb worse off with that one; strike-rate means he's one to be wary of at short prices.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

22

(18)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Woven

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

10yo who may prefer slow ground but the going was good when he was fourth of 21 in this in 2024; often runs well here and he reappeared with a creditable fourth of 19 at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March; each-way possible.

33/1

4th

10

(11)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Woven

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Running in this race for the fourth time, having finished second in 2022 and 2024 and ninth last year; can go well fresh and he retained a good chunk of ability last year; should be arriving on the scene late.

14/1

5

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newbury

Woven

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Michael Dods

Not prolific for one of his ability but 6f on slow ground suits him well and he confirmed the promise of his fine run in the Ayr Bronze Cup when winning back at Ayr two weeks ago (6f, heavy); 3lb rise not excessive and he should make another bold bid.

13/2

3/1

Form: -88451 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Low mileage compared to the rest of these and, after a couple of excusable defeats, he got it together over C&D last week; the rain should be fine on pedigree and he's 2lb well-in under the penalty; holds leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(11)

6th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Thirsk

Maple Jack

9st 4lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

dwelt start, in touch with leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong

4/1

1st

7

(4)

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Maple Jack

9st 5lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

taken down early, switched right soon after start, raced near side

5/1

5th

9

(9)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Maple Jack

8st 11lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

taken down early, dwelt start, midfield but in touch with leaders, going okay 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge

3/1

Form: 845670 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Rain won't have hurt, he's won twice before in the autumn months and is back on his last successful mark; he doesn't arrive in much form, though, having finished well held in the Bronze Cup here in first-time blinkers on latest start; back to cheekpieces today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Tipperary Tiger

9st 7lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, weakened final 110yds

12/1

7th

4

(10)

7th Sep 2022

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

13:50 Doncaster

Tipperary Tiger

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: K R Burke

prominent, disputed lead after 2f, lost position 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held final furlong

15/2

6th

5

(6)

7th Aug 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Haydock

Tipperary Tiger

9st 11lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders, pushed along when not clear run over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden final furlong, kept on

14/1

Form: 566705 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Record in October reads 02141141, including a win in this race in 2020; needs to improve on recent efforts, latterly behind two of these, but the more rain the better it will be for him and he's considered despite the fact he'll be 2lb lower from the weekend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

4th

8

(5)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Black Friday

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

Latest of multiple wins came at 7f last August; below par lately, including behind The Gay Blade over C&D 12 days ago, but won in cheekpieces earlier in career and they're refitted for the first time since 2022.

20/1

16/1

Form: -23290 D

Last run: 104 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Ran well on his comeback in the spring, so the layoff is no great concern; he boasts a poor strike-rate and was out of form when last seen, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

25th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

After John

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Iain Jardine

Had plenty to spare when winning a 6f handicap at Newcastle in November, meeting trouble in running but sweeping through to lead late on; never dangerous back there four weeks ago but this race looks full of pace and he should be arriving on the scene late.

9/1

9th

9

(1)

28th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

After John

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Iain Jardine

Conditions to suit and he bounced back to form with a come-from-behind success over C&D eight weeks ago; met plenty of trouble on that occasion and looks good value for the 3lb rise; won this race off the same mark 12 months ago; one of four runners for the stable; would be suited by a strong pace.

5/1

Form: 525518 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Had plenty of chances in less competitive handicaps prior to a win at Hamilton, a course that suits her, last month off 7lb lower; well held off her revised mark since and will be 2lb lower from Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

14:51 Hamilton

Iris Dancer

8st 11lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Tristan Davidson

Her form has been mixed this season and she was soundly beaten at Carlisle last time; however, she's running at Hamilton for the first time this year and nine of her 11 wins have come over C&D; she's 10lb lower than when winning here last August and could bounce back with a bold show.

13/2

10th

13

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

15:00 Carlisle

Iris Dancer

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Eleven turf wins, mostly at Hamilton but once over C&D, on ground ranging from soft to good to firm; weighted to find another race and will be suited by returning to a track with a stiff finish following her persevering fourth at Ayr 13 days ago; thereabouts.

8/1

4th

1

(7)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Iris Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Tristan Davidson

Has form at several different venues but is ideally suited by Hamilton, having done nearly all of her winning there; below par last time, failing to back up reappearance effort; 0-9 at Ayr.

10/1

Form: 210341 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Has progressed again this year for headgear going on and is 2lb well-in under the penalty for last week's Ffos Las win (5f); fine on soft/heavy ground but is a strong traveller and whether it suits him as well as others in here is open to debate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(2)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:50 Bath

Some Nightmare

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John O’Shea

Eight of his nine wins have been on turf but he was comfortably held back on the grass here two weeks ago.

10/1

4th

6

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

17:20 Bath

Some Nightmare

8st 4lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: John O’Shea

Eight of his nine wins have been on turf, with the most recent coming at Chepstow (5f, good) last August; weakened late at Wolverhampton 20 days ago and now steps up in grade.

10/1

Form: -77320 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Decent 2yo for Tom Dascombe who's come 6lb down the weights for her current trainer; last run was too bad to be true but she's some way down the pecking order either way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(2)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Little Miss Dynamo

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Hugo Palmer

prominent, pushed along and ridden over 2f out, soon lost position, weakened quickly from over 1f out

16/1

11th

2

(5)

18th Sep 2022

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

14:00 Hamilton

Little Miss Dynamo

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Hugo Palmer

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon lost position, weakened quickly over 1f out, lost touch inside final furlong (vet said that a post-race examination revealed the filly to be displaying a slow recovery rate)

6/1

2nd

3

(3)

31st Aug 2022

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:25 Hamilton

Little Miss Dynamo

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hugo Palmer

led, shaken up 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, soon no extra

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.70
Straight Forecast £58.16
Tricast £1428.73
Trifecta £1779.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Maple Jack

TOPSPEED:

Tipperary Tiger

RP Ratings:

Aberama Gold

Telegraph:

Woven

Daily Mirror:

Classy Al

The Sun:

Iris Dancer

Daily Express:

Some Nightmare

The Times:

Maple Jack

The Guardian:

Maple Jack

The Star:

Maple Jack

Daily Record:

Maple Jack

POSTDATA:

Tipperary Tiger

THE NORTH:

Aberama Gold

Daily Mail:

Woven