July 24 / 14.30 Ayr

14.30

Good To Soft

Every Race Live On Racing TV Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 5f 26y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Every Race Live On Racing TV Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0/112- BF

Last run: 276 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who was a big improver when switched to staying handicaps on AW last autumn; won over 1m6f at Southwell and Wolverhampton in his first two runs after a lengthy absence and was close second in hat-trick bid at Newcastle (2m) last October; now returns to turf after another layoff but he's a brother to a useful slow-ground winner and is open to more progress; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

22

(21)

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Golden Shot

8st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Made it 4-6 in handicaps when drawing 27l clear at Ffos Las (1m6f, soft; 10lb higher today) in August, making most in an amateurs' race; failed to replicate that form under a penalty on good ground one week later but he stays at least 2m and a return to soft ground would presumably be a big help.

25/1

4th

6

(1)

15th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Nottingham

Golden Shot

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Made it 4-6 in handicaps when sauntering to a 27l success last week at Ffos Las (1m6f, soft); probably handled conditions better than his rivals but he's clearly well-in with just a 5lb penalty.

5/4

1st

4

(6)

8th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Ffos Las

Golden Shot

10st 13lb

J: Mr Frederick Daly

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

led, headed 6f out, going easily when led again over 4f out, soon up the centre, shaken up and went clear over 2f out, went further clear inside final furlong, easily

5/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 652112 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Took a while to get his head in front but he won at Carlisle (2m1f, good to firm) and Hamilton (1m5f, good to soft) last month before a close second in his hat-trick bid at Carlisle (1m5f, soft) last Saturday; only 1lb higher on this drop back in grade and he's strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Handled testing conditions best, bounding clear to make it 2-3 over C&D (soft; a 23l winner) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted, and he's now 9lb higher moving up into a Class 4; still enters calculations though, with 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retaining the ride.

7/4

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 745254 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Some fair efforts off a sliding mark at up 1m6f this season but he's now now 0-26 since his last win two years ago and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who last May gained a ninth C&D win; his more recent form is not so encouraging, though, just fifth of eight over C&D 16 days ago; needs to bounce back.

20/1

14/1

Form: 5419/5

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Flat (2m, good) and dual hurdle (2m/2m1f) winner in Ireland in 2021 but unplaced in all eight starts for Iain Jardine since the autumn; mark continues to fall but he was beaten 7l back on the Flat at Musselburgh last time and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

(13)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

15:20 Musselburgh

Excelcius

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

slowly away, switched right soon after start, raced in last soon after start

12/1

7th

1

(10)

4th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Musselburgh

Excelcius

11st 4lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

never better than midfield

12/1

4th

4

(2)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Excelcius

9st 6lb

J: Archie Young

T: Iain Jardine

Flat (2m, good) and dual hurdle (2m/2m1f) winner in Ireland in 2021 but unplaced in all eight starts for Iain Jardine since the autumn; mark continues to fall but he was beaten 7l back on the Flat at Musselburgh last time and others are preferred.

14/1

6/1

Form: -33273

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
His last success was over 2m (good) in the autumn but that came off 1lb higher and he returned to form with a creditable third at Epsom (1m4f, good to soft) 19 days ago; now drops back in grade and he could be dangerous back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

5th Feb 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Ghadbbaan

9st 3lb

J: Archie Young

T: Sam England

Exposed sort who stays 2m well, is on a good mark and ran well to be third at Wolverhampton (2m) last time; chance.

4/1

3rd

1

(12)

20th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ghadbbaan

9st 9lb

J: Archie Young

T: Sam England

held up in rear

20/1

7th

4

(2)

4th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:37 Newcastle (AW)

Ghadbbaan

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Sam England

midfield

16/1

10/1

Form: 1-4534

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Ended last year with two Southwell wins and he's run well on Tapeta (1m6f) and Polytrack (1m3f) in his last two runs; conditions should be fine on this switch back to turf and he has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

15:48 Pontefract

Lednikov

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Often a front runner who has gained six of his seven wins on the AW at Southwell; Elle-May Croot knows him especially well, but a record of 1-20 on turf suggests others are more likely.

10/1

5th

2

(4)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

15:45 Beverley

Lednikov

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Six of his seven wins have been on the AW at Southwell, the most recent by a wide margin over 1m6f in March under Elle-May Croot; held in four starts since and others are preferred.

8/1

33/1

Form: 522-00

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ended last year with two runner-up efforts in 1m4f handicaps (soft/AW) but he's struggled in both runs this season and is now 0-17 since his sole win in September 2020; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Ebony Maw

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual C&D winner; on a losing run of 17 but was seemingly perked up by refitted cheekpieces when third here (1m7f, soft; just behind La Tosca) last month and competes off another career-low mark today.

8/1

3rd

7

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Ayr

Ebony Maw

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Won over C&D in 2024 and is well handicapped on some of last year's placed efforts; yet to strike form after two starts this year but is of renewed interest now that tongue-tie and cheekpieces are refitted; versatile regarding ground; dangerous to ignore.

20/1

4th

8

(5)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Ebony Maw

8st 9lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Ewan Whillans

9yo who went 0-11 last year and was soundly beaten on last month's reappearance at Catterick; however, he may have needed that latest run and is on a competitive mark judged on last season's placed form.

9/1

25/1

Form: 6/0/6-

Last run: 332 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Perth (2m4f, soft) last September but he's unseated and refused to race at that track in his two assignments this summer; overall record now stands at 1-27 and he has plenty to prove back on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

14:45 Perth

Go Bob Go

11st 10lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

reluctant to race, lost many lengths start, in rear, joined main group 3rd, some headway after 8th

12/1

8th

9

(1)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Go Bob Go

8st 4lb

J: Erika Parkinson

T: R Mike Smith

Won over hurdles at Perth (2m4f, soft) last September but he's unseated and refused to race at that track in his two assignments this summer; overall record now stands at 1-27 and he has plenty to prove back on the Flat.

25/1

3

16th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:40 Perth

Go Bob Go

10st 5lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

refused to race

5/1

Form: 09990-

Last run: 310 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Useful for Mark Johnston in 2020/21, winning twice including a 1m4f York handicap; not so good since and was a well-beaten fourth when switched to hurdling here in his final run last year; on dangerous mark back in this sphere but has quite a lot to prove after 273 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Kondo Isami

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

1m2f AW and 1m4f turf Flat winner (RPR 96); well below his best in that code for some time; well beaten on sole hurdles start in 2022; plenty to prove.

16/1

7th

4

(1)

22nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Kondo Isami

8st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: R Mike Smith

reluctant to load, midfield

33/1

5th

5

(2)

31st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Ayr

Kondo Isami

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

Yard has won two of the last three runnings and his mark continues to fall; however, he struggled last year and was tailed off on last week's reappearance here; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £5.54
Tricast £13.45
Trifecta £20.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Two Auld Pals

NEWMARKET:

Golden Shot

RP RATINGS:

Excelcius

Daily Mail:

Ghadbbaan

POSTDATA:

Two Auld Pals

D Express:

Two Auld Pals

Daily Mirror:

Two Auld Pals

The Star:

Two Auld Pals

Daily Record:

Two Auld Pals

The Times:

Golden Shot

Telegraph:

Golden Shot

The Guardian:

Golden Shot

The Sun:

Golden Shot