October 06 / 13.15 Ayr

13.15

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3996
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Virgin Bet Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 110230 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Kicked off this season with last-gasp wins in handicaps at Redcar (1m2f, soft) and Musselburgh (1m4f, good); good places at Haydock and Thirsk this summer were flanked by two flops (scoped dirty on latest outing) but he has a solid record when racing on ground softer than good; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Hilts

9st 11lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield, shaken up under 3f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won going away

4/1

10th

10

(9)

15th Sep 2022

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

15:27 Pontefract

Hilts

9st 2lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, heavily eased (jockey said gelding was never travelling; trainer's rep said the gelding scoped dirty)

4/1

3rd

7

(1)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Thirsk

Hilts

9st 4lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

prominent, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on

5/2

14/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 876364 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Sole win was an Irish maiden in 2020; no great impact this term but some ability remains and he is well down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Ebony Maw

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual C&D winner; on a losing run of 17 but was seemingly perked up by refitted cheekpieces when third here (1m7f, soft; just behind La Tosca) last month and competes off another career-low mark today.

8/1

3rd

7

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Ayr

Ebony Maw

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Won over C&D in 2024 and is well handicapped on some of last year's placed efforts; yet to strike form after two starts this year but is of renewed interest now that tongue-tie and cheekpieces are refitted; versatile regarding ground; dangerous to ignore.

20/1

4th

8

(5)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Ebony Maw

8st 9lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Ewan Whillans

9yo who went 0-11 last year and was soundly beaten on last month's reappearance at Catterick; however, he may have needed that latest run and is on a competitive mark judged on last season's placed form.

9/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 165853 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Course regular and it was his sixth win here when he scored over C&D (soft) in May; not so good since but he wasn't far away on last two outings and has to be considered each-way.
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

OUR TIP

3/1

Form: 124412 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won twice at Chepstow (1m/1m2f) in first half of the year and career best to score at Goodwood (1m3f, soft) one month ago; creditable second at Epsom (1m4f) latest and he has to figure in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

8th

9

(9)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Dundory

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear, outpaced 3f out

50/1

Form: 105680

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won 1m novice at Thirsk (soft) in April on reappearance but has found it tough in handicaps on turf and AW since; tongue tied every time except latest start, when he was blinkered, now has neither; kept to 1m this term except for 9.4f on penultimate start, so this is a new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

21:00 Musselburgh

Yellow Bear

9st 10lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Declan Carroll

in touch with leaders on outer

14/1

8th

2

(8)

29th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:40 Redcar

Yellow Bear

9st 10lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Declan Carroll

Sole win was a novice race last April before he went handicapping; reappearance was the only time he's come close to making the most of his fall in the weights but that was four starts ago and over 7f on AW.

11/1

10th

2

(4)

11th May 2023

Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:10 Thirsk

Yellow Bear

9st 9lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Declan Carroll

prominent

7/2

Form: 161038 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Five wins (1m-1m1f) for new stable this season, including one here and two on soft ground; creditable third when stepped up to 1m2f at Redcar (good to soft) on penultimate start but not so good over C&D last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Shine On Brendan

9st 13lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

8yo who is 0-9 this year but he's run some good races, most recently third at Hamilton (1m, soft) off 2lb higher, and he won this 12 months ago (good); there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:00 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Nine-time winner (five times here) who won't mind what the weather does; yet to hit the target this season, though, and both runs this month have been disappointing; others have less to prove.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up twice this summer but form dipped last time; the 8yo is a five-time course winner and could go well returned to Hamilton.

15/2

16/1

Form: 01-037 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Has struggled to get competitive over hurdles and on the Flat since winning at Brighton (1m2f) last October for Chris Gordon; he's now 1lb below that Brighton mark and was not disgraced last week on debut for new yard but others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

20:50 Hamilton

Spanish Hustle

10st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

A four-time C&D winner; yet to hit top form this season but took a step back in right direction with sixth of ten in 1m2f Ayr handicap 22 days ago; very much one to consider off an easing mark.

6/1

6th

7

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Ayr

Spanish Hustle

9st 0lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Now 2lb lower than for second of last season's two wins at favourite track Hamilton but well beaten after racing far too freely on both outings this term; wears cheekpieces for first time since 2yo season; risky.

33/1

12th

9

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Spanish Hustle

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Hamilton specialist who was tailed off there on his reappearance a fortnight ago (pulled hard); hard to fancy on the back of that but it may have got the freshness out of him and he's on his last winning mark; not a forlorn hope on his first visit here.

25/1

Form: 178640 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
His last five wins have come here, including three over 1m2f this season; trying 1m5f on latest start did not work out; won on heavy in 2020; has crept back to his last winning mark.
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

10/1

Form: 211007 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated for first over C&D in August and ready winner over 1m4f at Musselburgh 13 days later; well beaten on her three starts since, however, and she was tailed off when backed at Catterick last week (raced too freely); drops back in trip; below form sole run on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Third in 1m4f handicaps at Musselburgh on her last two starts, staying on nicely on both occasions; drop back in trip on faster ground isn't sure to suit.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:30 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: R Mike Smith

Last three wins came over C&D; hit flat spot but rallied for third under these conditions last week; obvious claims of turning the tables on winner Gemini Man given she was beaten two necks and has a 4lb pull; 7lb claimer Kyle McHugh enlisted too.

11/4

3rd

6

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:45 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

8st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: R Mike Smith

A three-time C&D winner for Jim Goldie; much better signs for her new yard with sixth of 11 in 1m4f Hamilton handicap 18 days ago when set a lot to do; well in the mix if building on that here.

12/1

16/1

Form: 574510

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Improved when upped to 1m1f at Musselburgh (good to soft) in August, scoring with something up her sleeve; tailed off, however, off this 5lb higher mark at Thirsk (1m, soft) on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(9)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Gurkhali Girl

8st 10lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Iain Jardine

led, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened quickly, dropped to rear 1f out, soon well held

16/1

10th

11

(3)

12th Sep 2022

Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:20 Thirsk

Gurkhali Girl

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

never better than mid-division (trainer had no explanation for the poor form shown; vet said a post-race examination failed to reveal any abnormalities)

6/1

1st

4

(8)

24th Aug 2022

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:25 Musselburgh

Gurkhali Girl

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

pressed leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, went clear inside final 110yds (trainer said, regarding the apparent improvement in form, that the filly had appreciated the step up in trip)

20/1

Form: 151035

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Held up; three wins on Polytrack this summer and ran creditably on last two outings; very well handicapped on that form given his 10lb lower turf mark, having been well beaten in the spring in his four turf outings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:25 Ripon

Cabinet Maker

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Rebecca Menzies

in touch with leaders on inner

6/1

1st

1

(2)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:37 Ayr

Cabinet Maker

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Rebecca Menzies

prominent on inner, went second over 3f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough

8/1

3rd

3

(7)

25th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:30 Musselburgh

Cabinet Maker

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Rebecca Menzies

Triple 1m AW scorer for previous yard; 0-5 for current stable and doesn't look as effective on turf.

6/1

Form: 099019

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(9)

24th Oct 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Sixstar

8st 13lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

in rear throughout, lost touch from 2f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong

25/1

12

(10)

6th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

Sixstar

8st 7lb

J: Kieran Schofield

T: Tim Easterby

9th

1

(3)

14th Sep 2022

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

13:42 Beverley

Sixstar

9st 10lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Tim Easterby

slowly into stride, held up in rear, never going well, tailed off (trainer's rep had no explanation for the poor form shown)

7/2

Non-runners

Sixstar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.80
Straight Forecast £44.03
Tricast £248.73
Trifecta £340.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dundory

POSTDATA:

Shine On Brendan

The Guardian:

Royal Regent

The Times:

Ebony Maw

The Sun:

Shine On Brendan

RP Ratings:

Dundory

Telegraph:

Dundory

Daily Mail:

Dundory

Daily Mirror:

Dundory

The Star:

Dundory

Daily Record:

Dundory

Daily Express:

Royal Regent