July 29 / 17.20 Ayr

17.20

Good

Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.80
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 559893 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
His form has deteriorated but his mark has fallen accordingly and he was a promising third at Doncaster (5f, good) recently in first-time blinkers (retained), when denied a clear run; another 1lb lower here; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(1)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Zuffolo

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Back on track with second at Redcar (5f) in April but has finished down the field twice since; bounce back needed.

16/1

8th

1

(5)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

Zuffolo

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Fair 5f scorer who got back on track with second at Redcar (5f) in April; not best drawn when tenth in 5f Thirsk handicap since and remains one to be interested in off a 2lb lower mark.

9/2

10th

8

(12)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Zuffolo

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Won off this mark at Newcastle (5f; 7-1; first-time visor) last September but mostly disappointing since until chasing home Beerwah at Redcar (5f, good to firm; 16-1) five weeks ago; is 5lb better off with that rival here; one of two for trainer Michael Dods.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 8-8519 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who won with plenty to spare at Bath (5f, good) last month; down the field off his new mark at Doncaster subsequently but the soft ground may not have suited and he remains one to be interested in now back on a sound surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

24th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Beverley

Frank The Spark

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Handicapper had his say after an easy Nottingham win (2-2 there) early last month and this 5yo has been held since; often dropped in (may well be again from a wide stall) and would then be reliant on the race setting up for him, as well as some luck.

12/1

4th

9

(4)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Frank The Spark

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Won at Nottingham (5f, good to firm) in July but that wasn't much of a race and he has not repeated the form; now wears cheekpieces; others preferred.

14/1

4

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Thirsk

Frank The Spark

9st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Paul Midgley

Gained his fourth career success at Nottingham (5f, good to firm) in July and 6f will have been too far for him at York next time; however, he's still 7lb higher than for the win and others make more obvious appeal.

8/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 236521 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up this season (including on good to firm) and won at Hamilton (5f, good) 11 days ago; has won just two of his 30 starts but arrives in good form and is entitled to respect up just 3lb for last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(3)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

15:30 Southwell (AW)

Cuban Rock

8st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Two-time winner on turf; unplaced in all six AW starts but there has been some promise on Tapeta at Newcastle; others more persuasive this time.

14/1

11th

11

(3)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

15:30 Southwell (AW)

Cuban Rock

8st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Two-time winner on turf; unplaced in all six AW starts but there has been some promise on Tapeta at Newcastle; others more persuasive this time.

14/1

10

(7)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cuban Rock

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Infrequent winner and unplaced in five AW runs; he hasn't run too badly over C&D the last twice, however, and Paul Mulrennan is back in the saddle tonight.

12/1

Form: 1-2325 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
In good form on AW (5f-7f) in March and returned from break with fair fifth over 5f here a fortnight ago; has won over C&D and he could build on that latest performance today; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Water Of Leith

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

12-time winner, latest on AW in March (6f); fair running-on third over 5f here last time (good; Woohoo, who runs in the 2.30, was second); contender back up in trip.

9/2

3rd

4

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Water Of Leith

10st 10lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Jim Goldie

Dual C&D winner; returned from a break with a solid fifth in 5f Hamilton handicap last month; this reliable sort is a player off a 2lb lower mark here with Eireann Cagney up.

4/1

10/1

Form: 033488 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Three-time C&D winner who was in good form in May (including over C&D); however, she's finished merely eighth the last twice; needs something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(1)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:15 Hamilton

Sixcor

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

Took this in 2025 but winless since and just a fair fifth of eight over C&D five days ago; this veteran needs to take a step forward.

12/1

5th

7

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:40 Hamilton

Sixcor

8st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Linda Perratt

It's now 13 starts since he scored over C&D last July and he's largely been below par this season, seventh of ten at Musselburgh (5f) 11 days ago; others are preferred.

12/1

7th

9

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Sixcor

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

C&D scorer who ran his most encouraging race of the campaign when third (Wee Mary second) over C&D (good) eight days ago; his best form of 2025 came at this time of the year so it's possible he can build on that.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 447322 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Close third at Carlisle (5f, good) on July 6th and he's been a good second here (6f, good) the next twice; can be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Prolific winner down the years, adding two AW handicaps to his haul in February; arrives in good form but he was no match for Imperial Guard here last week and the turnaround in the weights may be insufficient.

6/1

2nd

4

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 10lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Safely held on consecutive 6f starts this spring but placed twice since returned to 7f, latterly in C&D (good) contest won by Jkr Cobbler three weeks ago; 2lb higher today but probably won't be far away.

8/1

3rd

5

(10)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Safely held on consecutive 6f starts this spring but looked back in good nick when close third at Musselburgh (7f, good; just behind Monhammer) on Tuesday and remains on a good mark; shortlisted.

6/1

Form: 777

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
3yo whose dam was a five-time 7f course winner (RPR 77) and this fellow makes his handicap and Ayr debut; however, he's shown very little at Musselburgh and Hamilton across his first three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Royal Duke

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Three 5f wins to his name, one of them at this track, but unplaced in six runs over 6f+; finished behind stablemate Whiskey Kisses over C&D last week; new cheekpieces not enough to tempt.

10/1

5th

7

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Royal Duke

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have been over 5f on good ground, latest at Musselburgh last August; hasn't been in top form this term, best run when third at Musselburgh in June (5f); bit to prove, including his stamina.

25/1

7th

7

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ayr

Royal Duke

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins at 5f on good ground; not quite nailing it this year and it's up in the air as to whether this is his trip, having been well held in sole previous attempt, over C&D in April 2025.

14/1

40/1

Form: 987857 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Down to a basement mark but has raced nine times this year and finished no better than fifth; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(1)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:35 Redcar

Mews House

9st 0lb

J: Charlie Bennett

T: Rebecca Menzies

Without a win since May 2023 when previously trained by this yard and he's since dropped a long way in the weights; below his best at Catterick (6f, soft; first-time visor) a week ago and needs to get back on track.

16/1

6th

8

(9)

23rd Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Mews House

8st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Course record of 3-9 includes a nose defeat of Quercus off topweight in this race in 2022 (good to firm); 5lb wrong this time and effectiveness on soft or worse untested since September 2021; debuted visor no certainty to inspire, all seven wins having been gained free of headgear.

15/2

14/1

Form: 816786 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Won this last year and posted two wins earlier this term; can play a leading role if on song but that hasn't been the case on her last four runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:40 Hamilton

Ski Angel

8st 13lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: R Mike Smith

A dual 5f scorer in 2025; right back on track of late when placed in handicaps (around 5f) at Wetherby and Ayr so she ought to be thereabouts nudged up 1lb.

4/1

3rd

10

(5)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:18 Ayr

Ski Angel

8st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: R Mike Smith

All her wins have come on good or slower and with that in mind her recent second at Wetherby on good to firm was most encouraging; the more rain to fall the better and she's a major player.

3/1

2nd

6

(9)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Ski Angel

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

All his wins have been at 5f on good or softer; three fair runs this year; a possible, but stall 9 not ideal.

9/2

25/1

Form: 632996 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Beverley seller (5f, good to firm) in May but down the field in handicaps on her three starts since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Ninety Nine

8st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: John Wainwright

2-29; her best form is on soft, even heavy, ground; runner-up at Catterick (5f, soft) last October; hasn't offered much in four starts since, finishing seventh (two places behind Kyber Crystal) at odds of 50-1 at Carlisle latest.

33/1

7th

7

(9)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Ninety Nine

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Wainwright

Both wins have come on ground on the soft side of good, but she does handle good to firm; back off her last winning mark, but she finished over 20l behind Lady Bouquet on her Catterick reappearance 15 days ago; first-time blinkers replace the usual cheekpieces.

25/1

10th

6

(11)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Ninety Nine

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Wainwright

Last season ended with two poor runs and she's without a win since October 2024; however, that came over C&D and her best performance last season also came here; not written off on her reappearance.

16/1

12/1

Form: 7-9085 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two wins last summer (including C&D) and he's below his last winning mark; however, he's failed to shine this year and has to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(8)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:06 Newcastle (AW)

Borough

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

slowly away, always behind

14/1

10th

4

(8)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:06 Newcastle (AW)

Borough

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

slowly away, always behind

14/1

8th

4

(11)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Borough

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

dwelt start, towards rear

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £58.00
Straight Forecast £48.84
Tricast £255.82
Trifecta £297.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Cuban Rock

RP RATINGS:

Water Of Leith

SPOTLIGHT:

Zuffolo

Daily Mail:

Ramon Di Loria

Daily Mirror:

Frank The Spark

Telegraph:

Cuban Rock

The Guardian:

Cuban Rock

Daily Record:

Cuban Rock

The Times:

Zuffolo

The Sun:

Ramon Di Loria

D Express:

Water Of Leith

The Star:

Water Of Leith