August 04 / 20.32 Ayr

20.32

Good

Absolut Maiden Handicap

  • Prize money: £3726
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Absolut Maiden Handicap

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

Form: 6-87

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown a great deal in three starts in maiden/novice company, but may prove a different proposition now handicapping for stable which sends him all the way from Newmarket.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(2)

18th Oct 2022

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Commander Hector

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Chris Wall

held up in rear, headway on inner 6f out, going best 2f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on final 110yds

10/1

7th

6

(6)

28th Sep 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Commander Hector

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Chris Wall

midfield, headway after 3f, prominent halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong

4/1

4th

9

(3)

26th Aug 2022

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 5

16:57 Ffos Las

Commander Hector

9st 1lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Chris Wall

prominent, briefly went third over 3f out, soon ridden, held from 2f out

9/4

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

Form: 233522

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Went close over C&D two starts ago and at Doncaster last time was a creditable second behind a progressive sort who has won again since; climbing the weights despite not winning but her recent form stacks up well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 6lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: R Mike Smith

Campaigned mostly at longer trips (stays 12.5f) and offered little back over 1m at Newcastle in early December.

33/1

7

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 2lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

C&D winner who was on the scoresheet at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) in August; ran okay when third over C&D (soft) nine days ago but was no match for the first two (including Cisco Disco); needs something extra.

9/1

Form: 825652

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Only his second start for this stable and fitted with first-time blinkers (retained here) when collared late on over C&D (good) on Monday; fair chance of getting off the mark at the 21st attempt if this doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

8-59, although his last win came in a two-runner affair at Carlisle (2m1f; 2-5 favourite; all out) in December 2023; latest Carlisle sixth (beaten 15l; 50-1) not overly inspiring; others more obvious.

10/1

6th

7

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Thompson

Has won six times over hurdles, the latest a two-runner affair over C&D (good to soft) in December 2023; a couple of fair runs for this yard last year but pulled up when last seen out in January (reportedly never travelling); others appeal more.

20/1

4

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Russian Virtue

11st 5lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: David Thompson

On a long losing spell and form figures of 246 this term reflect that a turnaround of sorts is required; admittedly appears well treated if that resurgence materialises, being 7lb below last winning mark.

16/1

Form: 6045

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Handicap debut when racing freely and well held at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) in June; missed subsequent outing because of unsuitable ground (good to firm); too early to write off for stable enjoying a fruitful spell.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Usually runs at Newcastle and has never won elsewhere; inconsistent results in classified races this year; not beaten far at Southwell on penultimate but lacks solidity.

25/1

10th

5

(1)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing here, winning three times (7f/1m) in the first half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to get heavily involved, though.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing at Newcastle, his three wins coming there (7f/1m) in the first-half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to be competitive, though.

10/1

Form: -49434

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Running respectably without suggesting his turn is imminent, his latest fourth at Hamilton (1m, good) being an example; tries a longer trip but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(4)

14th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Ninky Nonk

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Keith Dalgleish

slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and hung right over 1f out, never on terms

16/1

8th

12

(3)

27th Sep 2022

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ninky Nonk

8st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Keith Dalgleish

reared start and slowly into stride, took keen hold, never better than mid-division (jockey said gelding was slowly away)

12/1

10th

11

(6)

16th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Ninky Nonk

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Keith Dalgleish

towards rear of midfield, ridden 2f out, made no impression

16/1

Selections

RP Ratings:

Sophiesticate

SPOTLIGHT:

Commander Hector

The Guardian:

Russian Virtue

Daily Mirror:

Ninky Nonk

POSTDATA:

Sophiesticate

The Times:

Sophiesticate

Daily Mail:

Sophiesticate

Daily Record:

Sophiesticate

Telegraph:

Commander Hector

The Sun:

Commander Hector

Daily Express:

Russian Virtue

The Star:

Russian Virtue