May 24 / 17.00 Ayr

17.00

Good

Absolut Vodka Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Absolut Vodka Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 463-31 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won from the front over C&D (good) a fortnight ago on his second start since leaving Sir Michael Stoute; this lightly raced 4yo did it with something to spare and could take a 6lb rise in his stride; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

24th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Ayr

Morning Sun

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

Won from the front over C&D (good) a fortnight ago on his second start since leaving Sir Michael Stoute; this lightly raced 4yo did it with something to spare and could take a 6lb rise in his stride; strong claims.

5/2

3

(2)

16th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Wetherby

Morning Sun

9st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

1st

7

(6)

8th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ayr

Morning Sun

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

Fair 1m maiden for Sir Michael Stoute in 2022 who subsequently changed hands for 50,000gns; gelded and off eight months before posting an encouraging third of 13 for his new yard in 1m2f Redcar handicap three weeks ago; still has few miles on the clock so he is very much in the mix.

5/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 760-51

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
100-30 when beating 12 rivals to win at Tipperary (1m1f, good to yielding) last month on his second handicap start; he has an 11lb higher mark today but did it readily last time and this lightly raced Irish-trained 4yo could have plenty more left in the tank, especially over this extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Theophilos

11st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Paul Midgley

Fair on the Flat when based in Ireland but unplaced all five hurdling starts there; made low-key stable debut (on the Flat) last month and has quite a bit more to prove than some of these.

33/1

8th

8

(6)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:18 Southwell (AW)

Theophilos

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Ex-Irish 7yo who brings a long losing spell to this debut for new yard, as it's three years since his sole win; finished second in a Dundalk claimer (1m4f) when last seen.

9/1

4

(17)

29th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Dundalk (AW)

Theophilos

9st 13lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gerard Keane

Losing run goes back to a turf success in April 2023; below form when sixth in a claimer at Roscommon in August; better when taking the same place at this venue 12 days ago.

10/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 134-25 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Can be headstrong and he's never won off a mark this high, but he reappeared with a good second at Newcastle and was a respectable fifth of 13 at Haydock last time; this is less competitive and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Innse Gall

11st 2lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Record of 0-4 this term for new yard but was placed under Shay Halton at Ripon on penultimate start and latest race didn't pan out favourably; has slipped to an attractive mark.

10/1

8

(13)

4th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Innse Gall

10st 13lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Has dropped 11lb below his last winning mark but that was from August 2023; third at Ripon ten days ago was his best result this term but he needs much better than that form if he's to turn the tables on Spartan Times.

16/1

1

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:33 Ripon

Innse Gall

11st 2lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Has dropped 11lb below his last winning mark, but his abbreviated career since the start of last year (including two starts for this yard) suggests he hasn't been easy to train; needs the switch to a visor to help him get back on track.

12/1

Form: 5247-0 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Below par on final two runs last season and tailed off on last month's reappearance at Musselburgh; plenty to prove but he's well treated on form as recent as last September and his stable's horses can bounce back to form from out of the blue; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

18:20 Pontefract

Knightswood

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Ran as if something was amiss last time; in good form otherwise this term and looks capable of being involved; however, he's still seeking a first handicap success away from Ripon.

9/2

4

(3)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:38 Newmarket

Knightswood

9st 0lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Loves Ripon where he won again last month by a narrow margin; badly in under a penalty when a close third over 1m6f here 12 days ago and he's 2lb lower for this; can be relied upon to give his running and be seriously involved.

2/1

4

(3)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:38 Newmarket

Knightswood

9st 0lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Loves Ripon where he won again last month by a narrow margin; badly in under a penalty when a close third over 1m6f here 12 days ago and he's 2lb lower for this; can be relied upon to give his running and be seriously involved.

2/1

10/1

Form: 926-08 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Not at his best on either start this season but he didn't run badly at Hamilton ten days ago and is now back at the venue for his last three wins; has the same mark as for last win last July and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

10th

8

(1)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Has never attempted this far on the AW before, but he has run well over similar trips on turf; losing run of 31 is a concern, though.

10/1

Form: 310-6

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won Redcar novice (1m, good to soft) last October on second start and didn't enjoy a clear run when an encouraging sixth of 14 on handicap debut at Hamilton (1m1f, good to soft) ten days ago; could have more to offer now back up in trip, if handling conditions (unraced on good/faster); respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

15:35 Hamilton

Zarabanda

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Course winner who comes here in good form, fourth of nine in 1m2f Chester handicap 16 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb.

9/2

4th

4

(3)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:05 Chester

Zarabanda

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Useful mare who won three times on soft ground last year; often highly tried this year but creditable fourth back in a handicap at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) last week; reasons to think she'll run well but Stressfree is still the more appealing of the yard's pair.

9/1

4th

1

(1)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Zarabanda

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Mixed form in Listed races on last three starts but she was a creditable fourth at York two runs ago (1m2f, good to firm) and she's won three of her eight handicaps (all on soft); interesting now back in a handicap.

12/1

Form: 82-367

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall and it's possible the wind operation will prompt a return to form; however, he failed to progress over hurdles for John McConnell earlier this year and his Flat form for this new yard has been mixed; others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Bringbackmemories

10st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Iain Jardine

in rear

20/1

12th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Bringbackmemories

10st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Iain Jardine

in rear

20/1

15/2

Form: 79-444 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Built upon this season's first two runs when keeping on for a close fourth of 14 over 1m1f at Hamilton ten days ago; last August's two wins were over 1m2f/1m4f (including C&D) and she's a possible now back up in trip.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.70
Straight Forecast £8.88
Tricast £27.58
Trifecta £31.70

Selections

The Times:

Morning Sun

SPOTLIGHT:

Theophilos

POSTDATA:

Sophiesticate

RP RATINGS:

Knightswood

D Express:

Innse Gall

Telegraph:

Morning Sun

Daily Mail:

Morning Sun

The Star:

Morning Sun

Daily Mirror:

Theophilos

Daily Record:

Theophilos

TOPSPEED:

Knightswood

The Guardian:

Sophiesticate

The Sun:

Sophiesticate