August 06 / 18.45 Ayr

18.45

Good

Scottish Sun Handicap

  • Prize money: £3888
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Scottish Sun Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 766303 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Losing run is mounting up but he's well treated on peak form and posted an encouraging effort (close third) over C&D most recently; withdrawn (upset in stalls) later in July; shortlisted.
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

5/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 021573

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Scored at Hamilton (1m1f, good) in early June; creditable third when returned to that C&D (good to firm) last time, shaping as if he's worth another go at 1m2f; possibilities off unaltered mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:45 Aintree

Havana Party

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

In career-best form on the Flat this year, winning twice over 1m on Tapeta at Newcastle (latest RPR 86); should be fine stamina-wise over hurdles and has possibilities here if he finds some fluency.

11/2

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:45 Aintree

Havana Party

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

In career-best form on the Flat this year, winning twice over 1m on Tapeta at Newcastle (latest RPR 86); should be fine stamina-wise over hurdles and has possibilities here if he finds some fluency.

11/2

1st

3

(1)

13th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Havana Party

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Iain Jardine

Ended 2023 in good form and he returned from five months off to win decisively over C&D three weeks ago; up 6lb but more appealing than most.

3/1

8/1

Form: 4-8649 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
1m2f winner for Andrew Balding; 0-6 for current yard (hurdles/Flat) but the drop back to this distance, combined with first-time cheekpieces, may have positive effect off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

6th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:50 Ludlow

Zuraig

11st 2lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

held up in rear, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on and went modest third run-in

20/1

9th

8

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Zuraig

11st 6lb

J: Jack Martin

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won a soft-ground Flat seller in May but was safely held when back over hurdles in June; returns from 161-day break; not the percentage call.

16/1

3/1

Form: 9-8431 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Steadily back to form this season, most recently recording a half-length success over C&D (on good ground) five days ago; still looks well treated even with a 4lb penalty (peak mark was 6lb higher); yet to win above Class 6 but warrants respect all the same.
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

14/1

Form: 668-45

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner in Ireland; couple of below-par efforts for Robyn Brisland this year; withdrawn (upset in stalls) latest intended start; subsequently sold for 5,000gns; 0-12 on turf but market support should be noted on debut for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(7)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Carlisle

Golden Valour

8st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: R Mike Smith

10yo who posted a fairly encouraging reappearance run at Ayr (7f, good to firm) last Wednesday, when rallying for fifth of eight; each-way possibilities if building on that run now back up in trip.

33/1

5th

9

(9)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:42 Ayr

Golden Valour

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

10yo who made a winning reappearance here in 2024 (sole course win from 29 attempts) and was on the scoresheet at Musselburgh last September; however, his campaign petered out tamely and a return to form is needed on his seasonal debut.

25/1

9

(11)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Golden Valour

8st 10lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: R Mike Smith

Not a regular winner; successful at Musselburgh last September (1m, good) but form tailed off after that and lacks a run this time.

25/1

Form: 711178 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Form has dipped sharply in two starts since completing a C&D hat-trick; no change in his mark, which remains higher than for all wins; percentage call is to oppose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

14:05 Carlisle

Flying Moon

10st 10lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: R Mike Smith

reared start, took keen hold, prominent, weakened from 2f out

11/2

5th

2

(4)

15th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

20:00 Hamilton

Flying Moon

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: R Mike Smith

Does most racing over shorter but has won over C&D, one of three victories here; remains on a handy mark and, like many from this yard, he has been running fairly well without winning; this task is a bit easier.

5/1

Form: 612607 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (off 4lb lower) in April then went close at Hamilton; form has dipped since but the return to this venue, combined with drop back in trip/grade, may prompt a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

10th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

14:10 Musselburgh

Goodwood Glen

9st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

slightly awkward start, held up in last, going okay 3f out, pushed along and headway up the centre 2f out, went second 1f out, ridden final 110yds, no match for winner

7/2

7th

3

(9)

6th Aug 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ayr

Goodwood Glen

9st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost position and dropped to last inside final furlong, soon weakened and became detached, finished lame

14/1

Form: 664544 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf; however, things haven't gone entirely his way in recent starts and he may pop up when the cards drop right; visored of late, now goes in reapplied cheekpieces; has slipped to a handy mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(3)

21st Oct 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Bringitonboris

9st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: Keith Dalgleish

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along and outpaced from 2f out, ridden when no extra inside final furlong

7/1

3rd

6

(9)

7th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bringitonboris

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

prominent, pushed along from 2f out, ridden and no extra from over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

13/2

2nd

3

(4)

23rd Sep 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bringitonboris

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Keith Dalgleish

prominent, shaken up when pressed leader under 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon pushed along and headed, ridden and no extra final 110yds

8/1

Form: 4-1658 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Veteran who his six course wins on his CV, the most recent on soft ground in May; not in anything like the same form since, however, and looks unlikely to repeat his 2018 success in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 3lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon edged right towards near side, headed over 1f out, kept on

10/1

3rd

12

(6)

27th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:39 Ayr

Royal Regent

8st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went second over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

5th

6

(6)

16th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Ayr

Royal Regent

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

midfield, headway 3f out, pushed along and made challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

33/1

Non-runners

Bringitonboris

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.30
Straight Forecast £17.99
Tricast £121.01
Trifecta £69.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bringitonboris

The Guardian:

Highwaygrey

Daily Mirror:

Ayr Poet

The Sun:

Zuraig

The Times:

Goodwood Glen

Daily Express:

Havana Party

POSTDATA:

Flying Moon

RP Ratings:

Bringitonboris

Telegraph:

Bringitonboris

Daily Record:

Ayr Poet

Daily Mail:

Highwaygrey

The Star:

Highwaygrey