June 24 / 16.14 Ayr

16.14

Good

David Macdonald Is 50 Handicap

  • Prize money: £5574.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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David Macdonald Is 50 Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
6 (11)
Novak

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.33
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 422211 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ended a 15-race losing run over 7f here (good) last month and had no problem with the return to this trip when following up at Hamilton (good to firm) 16 days ago, in the process making it 2-2 under William Pyle; still unexposed as a sprinter and respected up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Novak

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Beaten 13 times since last win at Newcastle (7f, AW) last September but close fifth of seven at Ayr (1m, good to firm) recently and he may appreciate the return to 7f; his mark continues to fall and he might not be far away.

15/2

5th

6

(6)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Novak

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has done his winning over 6f/7f, the last five times on AW (hasn't scored on turf since 2023); kept mostly to Newcastle since last September; not the percentage call in this scenario.

12/1

33/1

  • Place: £7.20

Form: 685

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Debut last month and well held at massive odds in three maidens over 7f/1m; down in trip for his handicap debut and plenty of guesswork involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(5)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Caltonian

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Linda Perratt

Came from off the pace to record a decisive C&D success in January; ran no sort of race over 5f here in February, always behind after a slow start; better than that and no surprise to see him rebound.

16/1

13th

4

(7)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Caltonian

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Linda Perratt

Hold-up performer who needs things to fall right but they did just that when he surged home in a good 6f handicap here three weeks ago; up 5lb but not impossibly treated on last season's best and the return to 5f won't be a negative.

8/1

1st

11

(2)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

The Caltonian

8st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Linda Perratt

Solid efforts in defeat here on his last two starts; returning to 6f in his favour and he could go well at a big price.

25/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 50-253 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in Ireland who has run well in all three starts since returning in April, including when third of nine at Carlisle (5f, good to firm) last time; no problem with the return to this trip and shortlisted down 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(3)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

13:43 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jack Jones

towards rear

7/1

6th

7

(3)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

13:43 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jack Jones

towards rear, outpaced 2f out, kept on final 110yds, never on terms

7/1

5

(5)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Nottingham

Huddle Up

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jack Jones

5f-6f winner when trained in Ireland, including on heavy; placed in all four starts for this trainer but needs to pull out a bit more for a first British success.

4/1

20/1

Form: 46-590 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Landed the 2019 Silver Cup over C&D and showed he still had it at the right level when winning twice last autumn, at Pontefract (6f, good) and Southwell (6f, AW); 1lb below his last winning mark, but hasn't built on an encouraging reappearance and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

81

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Golden Apollo

8st 7lb

T: Tim Easterby

5th

1

(2)

21st Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

Golden Apollo

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Mark continues to fall and he displayed spark as recently as June, but this 9yo has been well beaten on last four starts.

12/1

Form: 7-4232 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
C&D winner whose losing run is up to 20, but placed in his last three starts since the cheekpieces went back on, all over this trip on soft ground; each-way claims again, but wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Cold Stare

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

9yo who needs to produce more than he's managed the last twice but before those he was a creditable fifth in the Ayr Bronze Cup and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; not written off.

14/1

5th

1

(8)

18th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

13:52 Redcar

Cold Stare

10st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Most of his nine wins on soft or heavy; finished close up in the Ayr Bronze Cup last month and ran well enough to think he's still in reasonable form when fifth in a higher grade than this at Haydock last time; in the mix.

15/2

6th

10

(2)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Cold Stare

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Most of his nine wins on soft or heavy; finished close up in the Ayr Bronze Cup last weekend which gives him a fighting chance here but he has a better overall record on that track than this one and remains on much the same mark as when well adrift of Trilby here in April.

8/1

Form: 4-2627 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner over C&D and there have been signs of a resurgence this season, but losing run now up to 16 despite an easing mark; should be happier back over 6f, but a bit more is needed; stable also runs Wrecked It Ralph.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

4th

8

(5)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Black Friday

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

Latest of multiple wins came at 7f last August; below par lately, including behind The Gay Blade over C&D 12 days ago, but won in cheekpieces earlier in career and they're refitted for the first time since 2022.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5000-4 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Last win came in the 2019 Redcar Two Year Old Trophy, some lengthy absences in the meantime; 251-day absence before fourth of 13 at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) this month, with Newyorkstateofmind second, and that was a good effort given he had no great record fresh; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(9)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:12 Nottingham

Summer Sands

10st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Richard Fahey

Smart 2yo for this yard but no win since his Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy success in October 2019; continues to drop in the weights but others look safer.

10/1

7th

3

(3)

24th Jun 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:14 Ayr

Summer Sands

10st 2lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

led, headed but prominent after 2f

7/1

4th

1

(2)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Thirsk

Summer Sands

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

prominent

8/1

Form: 361110 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Hat-trick over this trip on turf/AW in the spring, but ended up well beaten at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 13 days ago; had the widest stall in a big field there, so it's possible to excuse that effort and he can't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Papa Cocktail

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Michael Herrington

Consistent spell on Tapeta over the winter and continued the good work back on turf when close second of six at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; he's never won above a mark of 75, though.

12/1

2nd

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

18:27 Doncaster

Papa Cocktail

8st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Michael Herrington

C&D win last summer came off 18lb lower and he returns to turf 10lb higher than when last running on grass, thanks to a consistent spell on Tapeta; will need something close to a career-best to take this and he's not improving at his age.

10/1

2nd

2

(2)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Papa Cocktail

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Herrington

Track regular who doubled his tally over C&D when scoring in January and ran respectably in two subsequent starts in this higher grade; sometimes needs luck in the run but he's respected.

11/2

Form: 460721 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Was winning for only the second time on turf at the 35th attempt when beating four rivals at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) ten days ago; return to 6f no issue and should go well again off just 2lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(1)

22nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:40 Bath

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ruth Carr

Nine-time winner who has not scored since September 2024 but he finished well to go close at Catterick (5f, good) last week; looks interesting off same mark and this step back up in trip is a positive.

4/1

2nd

7

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Three-time turf winner who went close at Newcastle (5f, AW) last September and races off 7lb lower today; however, last season ended tamely and this 9yo finished down the field on last month's reappearance.

7/1

12th

9

(10)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

13:40 Doncaster

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 4lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Veteran with a better record on AW than turf; 5f on fast ground no problem for him and he has run well after an absence in the past (although not last year); good run wouldn't be a surprise but others appeal more for win purposes.

14/1

Form: 15-127

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Dual Newcastle winner (5f, AW) who was only just beaten on his return to turf over C&D (good to firm) last month, but disappointing at Carlisle (5f, good to firm) 18 days later; still lightly raced for a 5yo, but needs to leave that latest effort behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle in March but well held back on turf at Doncaster later that month; freshened up since.

10/1

17th

14

(4)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle 24 days ago; should give his running but others may prove better treated.

12/1

2nd

10

(8)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Our Absent Friends

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Gained a third C&D success in December and largely in good nick since, fourth of nine over C&D two weeks ago; ought to be in the shake-up.

10/1

Form: 591219 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Much better on turf than the AW, so easy to forgive her Southwell effort 11 days ago; in good form on grass prior to that including wins at Redcar (6f, soft) and Hamilton (6f, good to soft); should appreciate the return to turf, but could do with rain (withdrawn all three occasions on forecast good ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

68

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

Slainte Mhath

8st 13lb

T: Katie Scott

9th

2

(6)

4th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Hamilton

Slainte Mhath

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Gives her all and wasn't beaten far when fourth to Rock Melody over C&D (soft) in August; should be thereabouts again, although she holds no secrets from the handicapper and others appeal more for win purposes.

6/1

4th

4

(10)

13th Aug 2024

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Hamilton

Slainte Mhath

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Very consistent in defeat earlier in the season (on ground ranging from good through to heavy) and she was beaten just over 1l when fourth of six over C&D (good to soft) last time; has won three times over C&D and every chance she'll be in the mix; the blinkers adopted last time are left off.

10/1

Form: 4612-8 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 11 starts came here (5f, good) last summer; held on his return from 281 days off in a 0-90 at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) last month, but that perhaps not surprising given his record fresh and he was racing from well out of the weights; back off his proper mark here and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(9)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Wrecked It Ralph

9st 0lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: R Mike Smith

On a competitive mark on this year's best efforts here (5f/6f, including on soft ground); however, he's been well beaten the last twice and his stamina isn't guaranteed now back up in trip; cheekpieces go on.

33/1

9th

9

(3)

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

17:10 Hamilton

Wrecked It Ralph

8st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: R Mike Smith

in rear towards far side throughout, lost touch over 1f out

12/1

10th

7

(9)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:07 Ayr

Wrecked It Ralph

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: R Mike Smith

dwelt start, towards rear

5/1

Form: 041162 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run when winning twice here (5f/6f) last month and only beaten a head back at this venue (5f, good to firm) last time; 2lb higher, but another big run likely for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(4)

23rd Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

One Last Hug

8st 12lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Jim Goldie

Versatile trip-wise having been placed at up to 1m5f, while his latest win came over 6f here in December; rather in and out since and he failed to beat a rival at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) six days ago; others safer.

25/1

9th

9

(3)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

One Last Hug

8st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jim Goldie

Strong at the finish when landing a 6f handicap at Wolverhampton in December; good late headway over 6f here last week too; hard to win with but he's capable at this level.

14/1

4th

6

(6)

10th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

One Last Hug

9st 3lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear, ran on from over 1f out, nearest finish

10/1

Non-runners

Our Absent Friends, Slainte Mhath, Wrecked It Ralph

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £130.50
Straight Forecast £150.66
Tricast £1185.28
Trifecta £1042.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Novak

RP RATINGS:

Papa Cocktail

D Express:

Newyorkstateofmind

The Sun:

Summer Sands

The Star:

One Last Hug

POSTDATA:

Novak

The Times:

Novak

The Guardian:

Novak

Daily Mail:

Novak

Daily Record:

Novak

Telegraph:

Papa Cocktail

Daily Mirror:

Papa Cocktail