May 24 / 16.00 Ayr

16.00

Good

Whitley Neill Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Whitley Neill Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP
1st
2 (8)

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 213-41

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who scored at Doncaster (7f, soft) last time, taking turf record to 2-4; other win came on fast ground; open to further progress; big player provided he's as effective back at 1m (second attempt).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 870-28 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Only eighth at Beverley last time, failing to back up his Ripon reappearance effort (close second); still well treated (11lb below last winning mark) and has possibilities if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ayr

Hortzadar

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/1

10th

11

(13)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:35 York

Hortzadar

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David O’Meara

dwelt start, held up in rear

16/1

7th

2

(5)

15th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Hortzadar

10st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

towards rear

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 40-089 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Productive last spring/summer, winning four times on good/firmer (including twice at Ayr); yet to have ideal conditions this term, though still hinted at a return to form (shaped better than bare result) in higher grade at Hamilton ten days ago; interesting back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

17:05 Hamilton

Yaaser

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Smooth win at Newcastle (7f) in December and now rated 2lb lower; that is a result of beating just one horse home in four subsequent starts; jury out for now.

14/1

9th

4

(9)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Yaaser

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Justified favouritism over C&D in December; not in anything like the same form, beating a total of just one rival, in three outings since.

20/1

9th

6

(1)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:05 Newcastle (AW)

Yaaser

9st 10lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Justified favouritism at Newcastle (7f) but failed to match the form in two starts on consecutive days later in December; yet to win over this trip; others preferred.

10/1

8/1

Form: 0189-4 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Respectable fourth in big field at Pontefract on seasonal debut; could be set for another decent showing off same mark; last two wins (including C&D) came off just 1lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(8)

20th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ventura Rascal

9st 10lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Multiple turf winner; not scored for over a year and form patchy since last win; drop in trip at this track shouldn't inconvenience and claims on pick of turf form now returned to AW.

8/1

5th

3

(2)

3rd Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:42 Ayr

Ventura Rascal

9st 12lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Kevin Ryan

took keen hold, led, headed 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

3/1

Form: 473251 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in four-runner contest over C&D (good to firm) three weeks ago on first turf outing in 2023; returns to a deeper field but he's only 2lb higher and could well remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in rear

8/1

4

(2)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:35 Chester

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored three times at 1m in 2023 and he arrives in very good nick, runner-up in 1m Redcar handicap nine days ago; he must enter calculations off the same mark from his inside berth.

7/2

2nd

2

(10)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who is 0-7 this year; however, he's run some good races and won three times in 2023; each-way contender off a reduced mark.

7/1

Form: 4364-7

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
0-7 for current stable; made the frame twice, albeit in lower grades, over C&D last autumn; seemed to need reappearance run; chance depends on how well he takes to new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(7)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Golden Valour

8st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: R Mike Smith

10yo who posted a fairly encouraging reappearance run at Ayr (7f, good to firm) last Wednesday, when rallying for fifth of eight; each-way possibilities if building on that run now back up in trip.

33/1

5th

9

(9)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:42 Ayr

Golden Valour

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

10yo who made a winning reappearance here in 2024 (sole course win from 29 attempts) and was on the scoresheet at Musselburgh last September; however, his campaign petered out tamely and a return to form is needed on his seasonal debut.

25/1

9

(11)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Golden Valour

8st 10lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: R Mike Smith

Not a regular winner; successful at Musselburgh last September (1m, good) but form tailed off after that and lacks a run this time.

25/1

Form: 514130 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on AW, winning three times; form dipped markedly at Musselburgh (good to soft) last month on the return to turf; however, may do better on this forecast faster surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

9th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Kempton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

C&D scorer but she came in a below-par fifth of 12 in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap 16 days ago; she could bounce back though with Oisin Murphy now up.

4/1

8

(13)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Handy sort who has gained all six wins over 7f/1m on the AW; back off her last winning mark and probably needed her Kempton return 12 days ago after 405 days off, but she will need plenty to go right from the outside stall.

12/1

12

(8)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Charlie Johnston

All six wins have been on AW including over C&D; only 1lb higher than for her last success but she returns after 405 days off and this is competitive on her comeback; down the list.

20/1

8/1

Form: 441174

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Irish filly who has raced mainly on AW at Dundalk, winning twice over 7f; finished well for fourth over 6f most recently; in decent form but has something to prove back on turf and at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(2)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Circles

9st 8lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Anthony McCann

All four wins have come on AW over 7f, including here in March off 55; ran no sort of race when last seen here in July from a wide draw (much better draw here).

16/1

3

(13)

12th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

15:02 Dundalk (AW)

Circles

10st 0lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Anthony McCann

All four wins from 45 attempts have come on AW over 7f; her last win was at this track in March from a mark of 55; well held in four starts since (one here and three on turf); not discounted now back on this surface.

12/1

3

(14)

6th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

18:25 Fairyhouse

Circles

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: Anthony McCann

All four wins on AW over 7f and well held at Ayr last month over 1m; has to prove herself on soft ground and others preferred.

25/1

Form: 316-14 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Clearcut success at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) switched back to the Flat from hurdling; disappointing over C&D (race won by Star Shield) since but has a respectable record here otherwise; may bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

16:45 Musselburgh

Flylikeaneagle

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

Won well off a similar mark over C&D (good to soft) last April; inconsistent since but the return to this scenario and drop back to 0-70 level may have positive effect; respected.

16/1

1

(9)

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

16:45 Musselburgh

Flylikeaneagle

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

Won well off a similar mark over C&D (good to soft) last April; inconsistent since but the return to this scenario and drop back to 0-70 level may have positive effect; respected.

16/1

9th

5

(6)

13th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Flylikeaneagle

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Lucinda Russell

Near miss over C&D in December off 1lb higher; well beaten twice since, although he had an excuse last time having gone off too fast in a 1m2f amateur event here 11 days ago; can do better today.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.60
Straight Forecast £31.72
Tricast £71.85
Trifecta £136.10

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Mountbatten

SPOTLIGHT:

Yaaser

POSTDATA:

Flylikeaneagle

The Guardian:

Circles

TOPSPEED:

Ventura Rascal

The Times:

Hortzadar

Telegraph:

Mountbatten

Daily Mirror:

Mountbatten

The Sun:

Mountbatten

The Star:

Mountbatten

Daily Record:

Mountbatten

RP RATINGS:

Yaaser

THE NORTH:

Yaaser

Daily Mail:

Yaaser

D Express:

Flylikeaneagle