September 27 / 13.14 Ayr

13.14

Good

Virgin Bet Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £5616
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 122120

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won over an extended mile at Hamilton (good) before close second at Leicester next time; didn't seem to stay 1m2f at York on latest start and should be happier back at this trip; respected despite career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(12)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Shaladar

9st 11lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Short-headed at Carlisle (1m, good) in August and he's also gone close on soft ground in the past; however, he's failed to threaten on his last two outings and this 6yo remains without a win since September 2022.

12/1

16

(6)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Ascot

Shaladar

10st 6lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Below par returned to Ascot (1m) most recently; still on a three-year losing spell but is very attractively weighted, being 12lb lower than when favourite for this contest 12 months ago (finished third).

12/1

10

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Ascot

Shaladar

9st 9lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Kevin Ryan

Bettered his 2023 third in this when runner-up (under Becky Smith) to Terries Royale in last year's soft-ground renewal; last win came off a 13lb higher mark in September 2022 but he went mighty close at Carlisle (1m, good) one month ago and this has likely been a target; player again despite stall 1 probably not being ideal.

4/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 498015 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Showed battling qualities to register his eighth course win here this month; not in the same form at Goodwood last Wednesday but return to this venue means he has to be afforded plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

3rd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:45 Ayr

Tommy G

9st 13lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Eight-time course winner who may have needed his recent reappearance outing here; however, he raced just twice last season and this 11yo needs to come on a bundle for that latest run, having been well beaten.

33/1

8th

9

(3)

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ayr

Tommy G

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Jim Goldie

Eight-time course winner; ran just twice last season, when runner-up at Musselburgh in April and down the field over this C&D in September; now an 11yo and he's possibly best watched on his return to action.

16/1

8th

9

(3)

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ayr

Tommy G

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Jim Goldie

Eight-time course winner; ran just twice last season, when runner-up at Musselburgh in April and down the field over this C&D in September; now an 11yo and he's possibly best watched on his return to action.

16/1

Form: 322351

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run when winning over an extended 1m at Beverley (good) last month; 4lb higher mark sets him a stiffer task but his confidence might have been given a lift and he should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

15:40 Musselburgh

Poets Dawn

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran who exploited a reduced mark when winning from the front at Ripon (1m2f, good) last month; held under 4lb penalty soon afterwards, though, and effectively another 1lb higher here; younger rivals appeal more.

11/2

4th

1

(2)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:15 Beverley

Poets Dawn

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Rolled back the years with a front-running 1m2f win at Ripon ten days ago; only has a 4lb penalty to deal with and Jake Dickson is good value for his 7lb claim; unlikely to get a soft time of things up front though.

9/4

1st

10

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Poets Dawn

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Grand veteran striving to maintain his record of winning at least once every year since 2017; not the force of old and although he is down to a career-low mark, this looks a tad too competitive for him nowadays.

14/1

8/1

Form: 543695

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in a soft ground Musselburgh maiden last year; hasn't really been threatening to win a handicap and was well held at Hamilton (1m1f, soft) last time but he continues to drop in the weights and may pop up at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

7/1

Form: 128234 CD BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has missed two recent engagements (self certificate/unsuitably soft ground); well beaten into fourth over 7f here last time but had previously finished third in a head-bobbing finish over the same trip at Musselburgh; has three wins here to his name, two of them over this trip; in the mix if it stays dry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

21st Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:17 Ayr

Merricourt

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has drawn a blank since winning in small field over C&D in April 2022; hasn't shaped too badly in some of his recent starts but he was down the field at Carlisle last time.

11/1

9th

3

(12)

7th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:35 Carlisle

Merricourt

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

No win since April 2022 (7f, Ayr) but has slipped to a workable mark, running consistently at Musselburgh; didn't enjoy a great deal of luck when a closing fourth over 7f there last week; returns to a trip which probably suits best; stablemate of Loom Large.

7/1

4th

8

(8)

30th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

16:00 Musselburgh

Merricourt

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Beaten 16 times since last win last April but he's run three good races over C&D this season and is edging down the weights; each-way possible.

9/1

Form: 046141 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Winner of two of her last three starts, both over C&D (good to soft/good), on latter occasion finishing well in front of Alpine Sierra; climbing the weights but in great heart and likely to go well again at a venue she enjoys.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Engles Rock

9st 12lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Lucinda Russell

slowly into stride, raced in last

10/1

8th

5

(9)

24th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Ayr

Engles Rock

9st 11lb

J: William Pyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Not fully compelling on the balance of this season's form elsewhere; however, looks interesting back at Ayr having gained last two wins over C&D (including off 2lb higher).

8/1

12th

13

(1)

30th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Wetherby

Engles Rock

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Lucinda Russell

Not great on the AW this season but she won twice at Ayr last year and it was off this mark the last time.

14/1

10/1

Form: -59054 D

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Not at his best this season and faded to finish last after setting the pace in a four-runner handicap at York (1m, good to firm) on latest start in July; down in class and has dropped to a tempting handicap mark but better recent form would have been preferable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(3)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

18:40 Yarmouth

Hartswood

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Prolific winner who was in fine form through the winter but progress was stalled by a three-month absence when well beaten at Carlisle (1m, soft; ground no excuse); would have each-way claims if back on song a month later.

25/1

11

(14)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Hartswood

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Has won three of his last four regulation races, two on the AW and the other at Doncaster in March (1m, good); won the charity race at York for the second time 12 days ago, goes well on soft ground and one to take seriously.

12/1

1st

2

(18)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Doncaster

Hartswood

11st 2lb

J: Miss Lois Teal

T: Richard Fahey

in rear

8/1

Form: 403130

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Winner over an extended 1m at Hamilton (1m, good) in May and close third at Musselburgh next time; subsequently below his best over this C&D (good) but bounced back to form when creditable third at Hamilton (1m, good to soft) yesterday; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

16:10 Carlisle

Alpine Sierra

9st 7lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Hamilton (1m3f, good) on May 3 and again had plenty in hand when following up at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) last week, when switched to front-running tactics; this thriving 8yo has strong claims under 4lb penalty.

6/5

1st

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Alpine Sierra

8st 11lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

2.25l behind Spirit Catcher here last month (1m1f, good) and he is 2lb worse off with that rival today; did win well at Hamilton (1m3f, good) 18 days ago, however, and likely to be in the thick of it again.

9/4

1st

8

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Alpine Sierra

8st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up three consecutive times on Tapeta in March (1m-1m2f) and returned to turf with pretty good third at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) on Wednesday; should be fine over this longer trip; probably won't be far away.

15/8

6/1

Form: 314312 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Winner twice at this track; just touched off over C&D 11 days ago; prominent for a long way before fading at Hamilton yesterday; bit to prove if turned out quickly.
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

Non-runners

Alpine Sierra, Ayr Poet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.10
Straight Forecast £26.12
Tricast £171.89
Trifecta £190.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Engles Rock

The Times:

Harswell Duke

POSTDATA:

Ayr Poet

TOPSPEED:

Merricourt

RP Ratings:

Tommy G

Telegraph:

Harswell Duke

Daily Mail:

Harswell Duke

Daily Express:

Ayr Poet

Daily Mirror:

Ayr Poet

The Guardian:

Engles Rock

The Sun:

Engles Rock

The Star:

Engles Rock

Daily Record:

Engles Rock