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

1st

21

(15)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 122 over 7f on AW once fitted with a visor; however, despite turf achievements early in career, his return to turf at Doncaster (7f, good to soft; second favourite) in March bore no comparison.

20/1

12th

13

(11)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:55 Doncaster

Golden Strike

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Record of 122, all over 7f on AW, since wearing visor; most recently bumped into thriving rival who was on the second leg of a four-timer; dual winner on turf; solid claims in the retained headgear.

11/2

2nd

4

(4)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Strike

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Reinvigorated by a visor, winning a C&D handicap (beat Bobby Joe Leg) early last month before a close second at Southwell two weeks ago (Goldmoyne third); up another 2lb today but he threatened to be useful in his youth and should have another big run in him.

5/2

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

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

1

(2)

15th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

15:15 Epsom

Bona Fortuna

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

Lightly raced 4yo who won twice over 6f last summer, including at Brighton which bodes well for this track; has been running well in defeat this season, such as when second in a big-field York handicap (5f, good) three weeks ago; player again.

5/2

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

1st

11

(12)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Glory Hyde

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Roger Fell

Didn't get the breaks at Beverley (5f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but she pounced late to continue her consistent spell at Redcar (6f, good; from 3lb lower) subsequently, justifying favouritism; is well drawn in stall 12, so should have a positive role to play.

9/2

1st

1

(9)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

15:40 Redcar

Glory Hyde

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Wetherby (5.5, good to firm) last month and did well to finish fifth at Beverley (5f, good to firm) on Tuesday, having encountered all sorts of traffic; will be suited by this return to 6f; likely contender.

3/1

5th

6

(1)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Glory Hyde

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Proved resurgent with neck success at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) most recently and remains competitively treated on peak form, which features a C&D win; likely player from the inside draw.

9/2

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