May 22 / 16.55 Ayr

16.55

Good

Download The Fitzdares App Now Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Download The Fitzdares App Now Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 408-71 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Latest start saw him finally add to his two 2yo wins, doing so comfortably in five-runner race over C&D (good) three weeks ago; back up 4lb but still has a shout on that win and had better form as 2yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Pol Roger

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

On a handy mark and may be back in better form with Thirsk reappearance under his belt; however, he's on two-year losing spell and record suggests he'll be more interesting when returned to Ayr.

9/1

8th

2

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Pol Roger

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Lost his way in the autumn; has dropped to a favourable mark as a result (went close off 5lb higher last autumn) but a losing run of 21 doesn't inspire confidence; first start for 140 days.

10/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7315-2 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Comfortable win at Sandown (1m2f, good) last September and not far off that form when second under a 7lb claimer at Lingfield (1m4f, AW; raced freely) three weeks ago; this drop back in trip looks in order and he looks set for a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(9)

28th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Ayr

Born Ruler

10st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Hasn't really threatened on his three runs this year but has been in fair form and he won by 4l over C&D (good) last July on his last visit to Ayr; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces; could go well.

5/1

4

(7)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

14:25 York

Born Ruler

10st 6lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Consistent last year; hasn't threatened on either outing this season but he kept on for a fair fourth in a warm race at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) last time and may benefit from this step back up in trip; unraced on slow ground; cheekpieces go back on, which he wore for his last win; chance.

4/1

3rd
6 (5)
Ayr Poet

12/1

Form: 33235- CD

Last run: 193 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Four of his last five wins (he's had nine in total) have been at Ayr, the latest last September off 2lb lower than today; effective at 1m-1m2f; major shout if resuming in good form but last three seasons suggest that first time out is not the best chance for him to shine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Ayr Poet

9st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

All 13 wins have come elsewhere but he does have course form and he did so well when going close at Ayr (1m1f, good to firm) last week; however, he's now 6lb higher than his September win which might be a step too far.

9/2

2nd

9

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Ayr Poet

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Rounded off last season with a game win here (1m Class 5, good to soft; from 4lb lower), that his 13th win; struggled in a competitive Sunday Series Handicap at Musselburgh 24 days ago, and it might be a similar story here; stablemate of Pearl Eye and Motawaared.

40/1

12th

8

(12)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Ayr Poet

9st 6lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jim Goldie

11yo who was as good as ever last season, winning three times, including at Ayr in September when last season; this two-time course winner is not ruled out on his return but there's a suspicion he'll improve for the run.

16/1

10/1

Form: 7351-5 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Eight wins overall, only one in each of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons but there is plenty to suggest, including an encouraging show at Ripon on reappearance 12 days ago, that he is an each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Highwaygrey

10st 9lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best and it's not worked out for him this season, including in three races at Pontefract where he has a good record; continues to creep down the weights.

11/2

4th

4

(5)

15th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Beverley

Highwaygrey

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

9yo who has been a grand servant to the yard with nine wins but he's not so good as he once was; needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best; now on a career-low mark and others preferred.

10/1

Form: 459-22 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
7yo whose losing sequence goes back 18 races to July 2022; reappeared with good front-running seconds over 1m2f at Ayr (good) and Newcastle (AW) so he has to enter each-way calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:40 Pontefract

Jean Baptiste

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Runner-up on his first two starts this season (1m2f, good/AW) but down the field on his three runs since and needs to get back on track.

15/2

7th

4

(1)

7th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Ayr

Jean Baptiste

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

Form: 7578-3 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
7-35 at Ayr, the most recent win when gamely making all over this trip last August off 1lb lower; that was his first win for two years but last month's reappearance third (Jean Baptiste second) over C&D suggests that he is ready to have his say again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won at this track but who is better known for his exploits at Ayr; solid third at that track 16 days ago (1m1f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away if backing it up.

4/1

3rd

7

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won 11 times here, including three last year (1m2f/1m5f); on a good mark and should come on for his run at Musselburgh last week; contender.

13/2

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: -62459 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won four times on the Flat last season (C&D on fourth occasion) and added two hurdle wins this February; back on Flat for last three starts (after his second wind surgery) and didn't show enough on last two occasions, latest over C&D when Jean Baptiste and Glasses Up were some way ahead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Bashful

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Iain Jardine

Showed benefit of latest wind op when winning twice at around 2m in February (good to soft/soft); slightly disappointing on latest outing in April, though, and needs to be back in peak form to have a chance off current mark.

8/1

6th

4

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Bashful

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

in touch with leaders

5/1

6th

4

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Bashful

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

A dual 2m winner and progressive over hurdles this season but he failed to translate that form back onto the Flat at Doncaster last month; he's the sort to bounce back here though.

5/1

Non-runners

Savrola

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.20
Straight Forecast £10.08
Tricast £139.11
Trifecta £122.00

Selections

The Times:

Pol Roger

SPOTLIGHT:

Born Ruler

The Guardian:

Jean Baptiste

Daily Mail:

Ayr Poet

Daily Mirror:

Highwaygrey

TOPSPEED:

Glasses Up

Telegraph:

Pol Roger

D Express:

Pol Roger

Daily Record:

Pol Roger

RP RATINGS:

Born Ruler

POSTDATA:

Born Ruler

NEWMARKET:

Born Ruler

The Sun:

Jean Baptiste

The Star:

Jean Baptiste