July 22 / 15.05 Ayr

15.05

Good

Irish EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4860
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Irish EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
48,000gns foal, 150,000gns 2yo; third foal; Mehmas half-brother to French 8.5f winner Global Fashion; dam US 1m AW winner from useful family; his purchase price catches the eye and trainer has impressive 22% strike-rate with 2yos here in the last five seasons; could go well on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(4)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Strong Warrior

10st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won his first two starts in maiden/novice company; second of nine at Windsor (6f, good to firm) on his handicap debut last June but it has been tougher going since; latest third at Ripon was a promising enough return to action though and he should give a good account.

7/1

3rd

3

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Strong Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Shaped well on his first four career starts, winning an Ayr maiden (5f, good) and a Pontefract novice (6f, good); disappointing since, including on first run after being gelded (AW) last time; back after a break.

14/1

12th

5

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Strong Warrior

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won his first two starts and he was a close second on his handicap debut last June (6f, good to firm); struggled thereafter, albeit pitched into a Group 1 at Royal Ascot; gelded during his 132-day absence; could still have some potential and switching to AW shouldn't be a problem.

12/1

Form: 4

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten fourth of 11 on recent debut at Doncaster (6f, good to soft; 4-1) but he showed good pace and this 200,000euros breeze-up buy is an interesting contender now down to 5f for his second start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

15

(18)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Hammer The Hammer

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Big chance on his 3yo best but he hasn't got anything going in three runs in big sprint handicaps this year (had wind operation prior to his return); conditions should be fine and the new cheekpieces could give him a lift; revival not out of the question.

40/1

21th

18

(16)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Hammer The Hammer

9st 3lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Kevin Ryan

On the up in 2025, completing a hat-trick before fine runs at Royal Ascot and in the Ayr Gold Cup (beaten favourite in this race in between); had a wind operation prior to reappearance but he has finished down the field in both starts since, the Wokingham on latest; down in the weights but a full revival is essential; tongue-tie experiment last time is quickly aborted.

25/1

16th

12

(7)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Hammer The Hammer

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Up-and-coming handicapper last summer when winning first two starts at this level before finishing an excellent second of 24 in the 5f handicap here (good to firm) last June; first home of the 3yos when fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup (soft) last September and may do better this year; not ruled out now fitted with a tongue-tie on second run back.

28/1

OUR TIP

Form: 53

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Front-running fifth on debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) last month and improved form when third at Beverley (5f, good) latest; every chance he'll be winning sooner rather than later and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(2)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:43 Thirsk

Managing Director

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Won his nursery over C&D (good to firm) off only 1lb lower; missed all of 2025; sharper for his comeback run, he was up there throughout when a close third in a Class 4 at York 20 days ago; every chance.

4/1

3rd

10

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Managing Director

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Has had far less racing than most of these and showed he retains ability when fifth of eight at Beverley (5f, good to firm; 11-1) three weeks ago after a long absence, a gelding operation and a stable switch; big player if coming on for that run and Danny McMenamin was the successful rider in this race last year, for the same connections.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
50,000euros foal, 55,000euros yearling, 67,000euros 2yo breeze-ups; dam unplaced 5f-7f, half-sister to smart winners Ejtilaab (6f/7f) and Eqtiraan (6f-1m1f including 2yo/Listed); has travelled a long way for his debut and trainer is enjoying a good year, but is just 1-23 with his Ayr runners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Goodwood

Lexington Blitz

9st 13lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Versatile ground-wise; particularly effective on downhill tracks and was a ready winner over this C&D in May before having an awkward passage in 6th of 23 at the big meeting here in July; front-running at York didn't come off ten days ago but he has to be of interest on the earlier form.

11/2

20th

6

(1)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Lexington Blitz

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

Better than ever this year following a gelding operation, winning at Goodwood (5f, good) in May and running with credit at Epsom (the Dash) and Glorious Goodwood since; should give his running but might find one or two better treated today.

8/1

6th

3

(5)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Lexington Blitz

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

Progressive front-runner who was denied late on in the Dash at Epsom (5f, good to soft; has won on good to firm) in early June; he'll give backers a run for their money but could again be picked off where it matters.

6/1

Non-runners

Motawahij

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.40
Straight Forecast £4.24
Trifecta £6.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hammer The Hammer

RP RATINGS:

Managing Director

D Express:

Strong Warrior

NEWMARKET:

Lexington Blitz

The Sun:

Motawahij

Daily Mirror:

Strong Warrior

Telegraph:

Lexington Blitz

The Times:

Hammer The Hammer

The Guardian:

Hammer The Hammer

Daily Mail:

Hammer The Hammer

The Star:

Hammer The Hammer

POSTDATA:

Managing Director

Daily Record:

Managing Director