October 03 / 14.12 Ayr

14.12

Soft

Virgin Bet Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3672
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
42,000euros yearling, 135,000gns 2yo; by Calyx; made a very promising debut at Pontefract (6f, good to soft) last month, doing well to finish third having made a mess of the start then been forced to weave through runners from a difficult position (finished strongly); leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(7)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

16:20 Carlisle

Golden Strike

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Dual winner since a visor was added in February and he ran another good race when a close fifth of 18 at York (7f, good to firm) last month; 1lb lower here and he should be in the thick of things again.

15/2

5th

10

(4)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Golden Strike

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

He's done well since this visor went on and he won a big-field C&D handicap (good) in May; merely midfield here four weeks ago but the blindfold was removed late and he was stretched by 1m; in calculations back at 7f.

8/1

7th

13

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 4-15 overall and 2-5 since wearing visor; campaigned exclusively over shorter but the manner of his half-length success in big field at York (7f, good) last time suggests this new trip is worth exploring; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lope De Vega half-sister to winners Tolstoy (6f) and Balalaika (7f 2yo AW); dam unraced half-sister to 7f/1m winner Desirous out of 1m Group 1 winner Emulous; one of three newcomers in the field; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(2)

6th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Cork

Firebird

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: P Twomey

midfield, outpaced towards far side under 2f out, no extra inside final furlong

7/1

6th

5

(2)

6th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Cork

Firebird

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: P Twomey

midfield, outpaced towards far side under 2f out, no extra inside final furlong

7/1

5th

8

(2)

5th Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Firebird

9st 2lb

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

midfield, headway and went third 2f out, weakened final 110yds

9/4

5/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
180,000gns yearling; brother to 5f 2yo winner Mojomaker, half-brother to winners Bella Kopella (5f/7f including 2yo) and Swift Mover (GB 6f 2yo/Spanish 1m); wears tongue-tie on debut; yard is having a great season with 2yos; respected newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 5

19:15 Brighton

Bona Fortuna

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Michael Appleby

Won in maiden and handicap company over 6f when a 3yo; expensive to follow last year in handicaps but ran some good races, and again from the front in a 6f Class 4 here last month on return from an absence; might take a step forward from that and he'll be fine back in trip.

7/2

6th

5

(1)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 4

16:00 Brighton

Bona Fortuna

9st 11lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Appleby

Won his maiden over C&D as a 3yo, returning from eight months off, which is a positive after a break of ten months; expensive to follow in handicaps last season, following a second wind op, and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the market.

8/1

6th

5

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:35 Nottingham

Bona Fortuna

9st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Michael Appleby

Won two in a row (6f/7f, good to firm) last summer and performing well in defeat this year, including second to Air Force One in a big-field at York (5f) in July and to subsequent Ayr Bronze Cup winner Winged Messenger at Epsom (6f; third and fourth also won since) when last seen seven weeks ago; raced mainly on good or firmer but showed promise on soft at the start of his career; has first-time cheekpieces added to his tongue-tie; high on the shortlist with Warren Fentiman taking 5lb off.

11/2

Form: 042

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced filly who appeared to run well, albeit in an ordinary race for the course, at York (6f, good to soft; 33-1 second) most recently; not sure to go one better, as she now takes on a promising colt and some interesting newcomers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(19)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Glory Hyde

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Roger Fell

Won four times in the first half of 2026 but she has come up short in Class 4 events on her last two starts; 2-3 over C&D but perhaps a shade high in the weights for now.

14/1

9th

1

(13)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Glory Hyde

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Roger Fell

Four wins this season; not ideally positioned when down the field over C&D 13 days ago but, even so, an improved effort will be needed to defy this mark.

20/1

15th

3

(15)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Glory Hyde

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Roger Fell

Arrives on the crest of a wave having won four of her last five starts; a 4lb rise for her small-field Class 5 win at Ripon last month could just find her out here, though.

13/2

16/1

Form: 75

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts over 7f on fast ground, better effort when 50-1 fifth at Yarmouth latest; shapes as if this drop to sprinting is worth a shot but looks the type who'll find stronger opportunities in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Etretat

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Andrew Hamilton

Left Charlie Johnston for 1,000gns; 150-1 on hurdle debut at Perth and performed accordingly.

50/1

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Etretat

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Hamilton

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner for Charlie Johnston but 0-17 on turf for that yard; ran poorly at Lingfield (AW) 16 days ago and changed hands for 1,000gns since; best watched on hurdles debut.

33/1

10th

5

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Etretat

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Four AW wins, including C&D, and returns from a six-month break on a manageable mark; more good runs than bad at this track and he's not discounted.

9/1

Form: 85

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fared better dropped to 6f last time but ran to a poor RPR; handicaps more suitable shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(1)

8th Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Allegro Brillante

8st 6lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

3yo maiden who has poor RPRs and needs to find improvement; yet to be placed.

40/1

6th

7

(2)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:25 Ayr

Allegro Brillante

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Peak RPR of 37 in her seven starts (5f-8.5f); hood now added; opposable from 6lb out of the weights.

50/1

9th

12

(11)

16th Jun 2024

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

17:10 Doncaster

Allegro Brillante

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

took keen hold

25/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000euros foal; by Blue Point; closely related to French Listed-placed 7f/9.5f winner Alashar, half-brother to 7f winner Alanannda; dam 6f-1m winner (including 2yo/Group 3); connections have a good record with 2yos; interesting debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

3rd Oct 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:12 Ayr

Beneath The Sand

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alice Haynes

prominent, outpaced 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

7/2

40/1

Form: 6

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unpromising debut (well-beaten last of six) in 7f contest at Musselburgh; gelded since; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(1)

16th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spyrothedragon

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Hinted at better form on his penultimate start at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta); plenty to prove, however, after his latest effort.

14/1

6th

2

(1)

2nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spyrothedragon

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Achieved little in first three starts over 7f and 6f, switching to this surface on recent reappearance; should fnd life easier at this level but pedigree suggests stamina worries over new trip.

10/1

6th

3

(2)

17th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Newcastle (AW)

Spyrothedragon

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

towards rear

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.00
Straight Forecast £24.46
Trifecta £94.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Golden Strike

TOPSPEED:

Glory Hyde

NEWMARKET:

Beneath The Sand

RP RATINGS:

Golden Strike

Telegraph:

Golden Strike

The Guardian:

Golden Strike

Daily Mail:

Golden Strike

D Express:

Golden Strike

Daily Mirror:

Golden Strike

The Sun:

Golden Strike

The Star:

Golden Strike

Daily Record:

Golden Strike

POSTDATA:

Glory Hyde

The Times:

Glory Hyde