October 12 / 15.20 Ayr

15.20

Heavy

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 7f 50y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

8/1 (Won)

Form: /00-66 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Getting on for two years since his last victory (only run four times since) but well suited by testing ground and he has a C&D win on heavy to his name; down in the weights and he's one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(5)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:10 Musselburgh

Sassoon

9st 2lb

J: Alex Jary

T: David Thompson

Four-time winner in her prime but struggled on both outings for Ben Haslam last year and made a low-key reappearance for new stable 12 days ago; needs to have taken considerable benefit from that recent outing.

33/1

7

(3)

1st Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

14:00 Carlisle

Sassoon

10st 9lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: David Thompson

Won off 3lb higher at Ayr (7f, heavy) in October 2023, but he's had only three runs since and has struggled in all of them; returns after another long absence and has lots to prove for new yard; visor removed.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 623422 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Three C&D runs this season have yielded two seconds and a third, the latest runner-up finish coming nine days ago (soft); due to be 2lb higher from the weekend; has to be on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Redcar

Darbucks

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Christopher Kellett

Can front-run; made all at Ayr (7f, soft) in July but he failed to back that up at that same track next time; fair fourth having dictated the gallop at Hamilton (8.5f, good to soft) three weeks ago and now returns to 7f.

6/1

4th

2

(7)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:15 Hamilton

Darbucks

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Christopher Kellett

Three wins from his last nine starts, the latest at Ayr (7f, soft) in July, and he can't be discounted; however, good runs have been in the minority this year and it's been a long time since he won beyond 7f.

7/1

8th

6

(6)

21st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Darbucks

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Christopher Kellett

Enhanced his good form figures here with a narrow success over this trip 15 days ago when the ground was soft; overcame a wide draw that day; must have a chance.

9/2

Form: 315232 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
He has done well since a hood was added this summer, winning at Musselburgh (7f, good) in August and placed on his last three starts (6f, good or slower); 2lb well in today but 7f on testing ground may place too much emphasis on stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

The Gay Blade

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Handy sort who has been successful three times on the AW this year; has won four times on turf, but was found to have bled at Ayr last time; others more convincing.

10/1

6th

4

(4)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 3lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Successful three times over 6f on Newcastle AW this year; ran well at Musselburgh (7f, good; neck second) returned to turf last week; now 2lb higher but Cara Tuke removes 7lb; respected in current form.

13/8

2nd

3

(10)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:00 Musselburgh

The Gay Blade

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made it three wins in his last four starts (all 6f at Newcastle) when seeing off ten rivals in an apprentice race last week; former C&D scorer so the step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue and he escapes a penalty.

2/1

12/1

Form: 384695 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
7f winner (good to soft) for George Boughey last season; some promise for Amy Murphy this summer but she's not quite found that level in three runs for her current yard (who also run Rogue Force); work to do with Darbucks on last week's C&D run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(5)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Zebra Star

8st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Won over 7f here on his seasonal reappearance in 2024 (good) and was fourth over 1m here after a break in May last year, so could go well despite lack of a recent run.

14/1

9

(5)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Zebra Star

9st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Two-time course winner, the latest in July (1m2f, good to soft), and she's effective on soft ground; well beaten at Musselburgh on last two starts and has something to prove, but the latest was over 1m6f and perhaps the drop back in trip and return to Ayr will be the catalyst for a revival.

20/1

3

(4)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

16:38 Musselburgh

Zebra Star

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Scored off 2lb lower at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) in July but has mixed record since and was out the back here (1m, good) last time; has something to prove again after that and he's untried beyond 1m2f.

10/1

Form: 615600 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Two wins this year, the turf success coming on slow ground (7f) in April off 1lb higher; well held in two runs back from a summer break but this is an ease in grade and underfoot conditions will suit; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

10th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:40 Catterick

Miss Calculation

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Stella Barclay

Last win was over C&D in May 2024 off 2lb higher mark; mainly kept to AW since and can start slowly; would hold claims if back on song.

13/2

Form: 999393 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
His three wins for Tom Clover came on AW and he's 0-12 on turf; placed over C&D off his reduced mark nine days ago though and that followed a troubled passage over 1m on his penultimate run; handicapped to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(5)

8th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Rogue Force

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins at Kempton (7f/1m) for Tom Clover and placed a couple of times on turf for this yard during the autumn; didn't enjoy the clearest of runs when ninth of 12 here (7f) five weeks ago, but wouldn't have won anyway and still to prove he can act on Tapeta.

20/1

9th

7

(5)

3rd Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Rogue Force

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: R Mike Smith

Three-time Kempton winner for Tom Clover and has tumbled down the handicap on turf this year; a bit higher in the weights back on AW but has been showing enough on soft/heavy turf to suggest he's worth considering.

9/1

6th

8

(7)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:20 Ayr

Rogue Force

9st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: R Mike Smith

towards rear, switched to near side 3f out, no impression from over 1f out

9/2

Form: 655044 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Four course wins to his name, the latest of them over this trip (good to firm but handles soft); sound efforts the last twice but he has work to do with Darbucks on last week's run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

18th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

14:50 Hamilton

Global Humor

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

taken down early, upset in stalls, slightly awkward start, held up in last, headway halfway, keeping on inside final furlong, weakened gradually final 110yds

8/1

5th

6

(8)

15th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:35 Ayr

Global Humor

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

taken down early, dwelt start, took keen hold, towards rear, steady headway over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on final 110yds

9/2

6th

4

(9)

28th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Newcastle (AW)

Global Humor

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple winner (twice here) and will no doubt pop up again at some point, but slow starts are holding him back.

7/1

16/1

Form: 273629

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Not found her best form this year and stamina for 7f, especially on heavy ground, has to be taken on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

23rd Oct 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

15:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jazzagal

9st 4lb

T: Tim Easterby

7th

4

(3)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Jazzagal

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Runner-up on a couple of occasions this season but it wasn't just a lack of stamina that did for her at Ayr last week (7f, heavy); last of seven in one AW outing; capable but risky.

8/1

9th
6 (3)
Debater

16/1

Form: 56-670

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Some promise on good or quicker as a 2yo; heavy defeats on turf the last twice and plenty to prove on slow ground; blinkers given a go today (has worn cheekpieces and a visor with little joy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:20 Ayr

Debater

9st 3lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Hugo Palmer

took keen hold, led, switched to centre and headed over 2f out, soon weakened

16/1

12th

2

(1)

4th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 6

18:30 Windsor

Debater

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

midfield on inner

10/1

25/1

Form: 766075

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
16-race maiden; placed over C&D on heavy ground one year ago but little to recommend him this time around; cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(10)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:20 Ayr

Hollis Brown

8st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Linda Perratt

in rear, switched to near side 3f out, soon weakened

25/1

5th

7

(6)

16th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

15:42 Musselburgh

Hollis Brown

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: Linda Perratt

towards rear

33/1

7th

4

(9)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:37 Ayr

Hollis Brown

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Linda Perratt

held up in rear

25/1

Selections

The Guardian:

The Gay Blade

POSTDATA:

Global Humor

Telegraph:

Darbucks

SPOTLIGHT:

Miss Calculation

The Times:

Rogue Force

Daily Mail:

The Gay Blade

The Sun:

The Gay Blade

Daily Record:

The Gay Blade

Daily Mirror:

Darbucks

RP RATINGS:

Miss Calculation

D Express:

Global Humor

The Star:

Global Humor