July 21 / 16.05 Ayr

16.05

Good

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  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Book Ayr Gold Cup Tickets Now Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 323 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Smart pedigree but unraced for Sir Michael Stoute; similar promising level of form in qualifying runs at about 1m this summer, a shade better than latest defeat at Thirsk as he wasn't persevered with when winning chance had gone; a likely type for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-18 but has shown ability as when second of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) ten days ago; return to this trip not a problem and he holds each-way claims again.

7/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

0-17 but he got right back on track when fourth of 11 in 1m Southwell handicap nine days ago, doing best of those held up off a steady pace; he's effective at this longer trip and is one for the shortlist.

6/1

4th

7

(10)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Free-goer who came from the rear for a close third behind Soames Forsyte over C&D last month and may not have been suited by the much more positive tactics when below that form at Wolverhampton (8.6f; ran without usual hood) a few days later; however, he's 0-16 now and has become frustrating.

10/1

Form: 763025 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
All four wins at about 1m (on good and good to firm), most recently this race in 2024 when 3lb higher; looked as though he was about to strike again when close up at Doncaster in June but he wasn't in the same form there next time; still well worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(11)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In a consistent vein of form over 1m until below par over 1m1f last time; went very close over C&D on penultimate start and could go well returned to his usual trip.

10/1

10th

12

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Hale End

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Returned from two-month break with a win at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) in April; good runner-up efforts at Thirsk (1m, good) and Ayr (1m, good to firm) since; the line came a couple of strides too soon for his strong finish at Ayr and the extra yardage this afternoon may help; enters calculations.

8/1

Form: 39-703 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Both wins over C&D, on heavy and good ground; has mostly struggled for form since last summer but he's favourably treated now and did some good late work into third of six at Pontefract in June; one of three for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Boy Douglas

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

In prime form in July, winning twice (7f/1m) at Ayr, but the wheels seem to have come off since and he beat only one home on the same course last time; others preferred.

16/1

10th

2

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Boy Douglas

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Back in prime form in July, winning twice here (1m/7f), but two slightly disappointing efforts have followed and he probably needs to rebound with a career-best performance; effective on all ground.

9/1

7th

4

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Boy Douglas

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Effective on fast and heavy ground; got back in the groove when winning twice at Ayr (1m/7f) in July but he was disappointing in hat-trick bid there last month; bit to prove again after that and he needs to bounce back near best.

9/1

Form: -38680 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 1m-1m1f; ended 2024 with some heavy defeats and, after an encouraging reappearance at Ripon in April, he's rather trod water since; yard's other runner Forest Caper is more interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

19:15 Leicester

Pisanello

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Still capable of winning off 30lb higher exactly two years ago, but basically consistent at a lower level these days, and still well suited by a galloping turf track; this step up to 1m4f looks long overdue.

13/2

5th

1

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

21:00 Beverley

Pisanello

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: David O’Meara

Has gone 0-24 since winning over 1m1f at York (good to soft) two years ago and needs to improve on this season's efforts.

6/1

Form: 7-1838 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
AW winner at 7f; came from way back when winning over 1m at Musselburgh (good) on reappearance in April; has raced over different distances from 7f to 1m3f since but the return to this trip makes him interesting again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:09 Carlisle

Izzari

10st 2lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

His close fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) on his reappearance in March would make him a threat off this mark but it's been downhill since; finished well beaten in this race last year.

33/1

12th

18

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Izzari

8st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has won on turf (1m on good ground at Musselburgh in April last year) but seems better on the AW and has run well below his best on last two starts.

33/1

10th

6

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Izzari

9st 9lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Raced at 1m this season, for a good fourth on reappearance but well-beaten second favourite here next time; this is a rethink on trip but a C&D third last June and 1m2f win last September are encouraging.

14/1

Form: 238546 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Both wins and best form on AW but he does act on turf and a repeat of a close third at Hamilton (about 1m, good to firm) in May would make him of some interest; others higher up the list for win purposes, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Quiet Resolve

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Alan Brown

Ended a long losing sequence (on his yard debut) over C&D in May but comes here on the back of a below-form sixth at Newcastle (1m) last month; needs to get back on track.

9/2

6th

5

(1)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Quiet Resolve

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Made a winning stable debut at Hamilton (8.5f; 20-1) last month; backed that up, splitting a Jim Goldie pair (third has won since), under a 5lb penalty there (1m1f) next time; 1lb lower now and has no issues with this AW track (311224); interesting.

11/2

2nd

6

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Quiet Resolve

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Alan Brown

Made light of an eight-month absence for his new yard with victory in 1m handicap here 12 days ago; not taken lightly under a 5lb penalty.

4/1

Form: /197-0

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Back from a layoff when winning 6f novice at Pontefract (heavy) in 2024 but he hasn't looked well treated in handicaps at up to 1m since, most recently in June after a year off; probably other days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(2)

12th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:45 Carlisle

Close Connection

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Two poor efforts this summer, back from a year off, and goes in first-time headgear today; run poorly all starts aside from his heavy-ground novice win last spring and is hard to enthuse about.

25/1

9

(3)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Close Connection

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Back from a layoff when winning 6f novice at Pontefract (heavy) in 2024 but he hasn't looked well treated in handicaps at up to 1m since, most recently in June after a year off; probably other days.

25/1

6

(3)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Close Connection

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won Pontefract novice last April on 3yo return so first time up may be the time to catch him; however, he was down the field last May and June in his two handicaps and has something to prove on this first run since.

16/1

Form: 715331 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Tough mare who handles most ground; stays further than 1m but she's won her last two starts at the trip, most recently over C&D last week; effectively 8lb higher today but she can be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Penelopes Sister

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Three-time C&D winner last year, making all on two occasions and ridden prominently on the other; much less effective when ridden very patiently on all four appearances this season but her keeping-on fifth here (1m2f, soft) last month was a big step back in the right direction; well handicapped now and needs close attention in the betting.

7/1

5th

1

(4)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Penelopes Sister

10st 2lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Always behind on all three appearances this season but was a three-time course winner (1m, good to firm-soft) last year, making all on two occasions and ridden prominently on the other; fine over today's trip and sure to appreciate this ease in grade; interesting to see whether connections opt to revert to more positive tactics today.

8/1

8th

8

(2)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Penelopes Sister

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won here in 2024 and added three wins at Ayr last year; she's below her last winning mark but has been well beaten on both outings this spring and a major turnaround is necessary.

16/1

Form: 9-2425 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has been running well all year and he put on a late spurt into a close fifth of 12 over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago, after suffering some interference; weighted to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

Form: 9258-9

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Had a close call at Ffos Las (extended 7f, good to soft) in June 2024 but much less to show for subsequent handicap runs, most recently here this month when back from an absence; one to watch for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:12 Ayr

Yellow Pages

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: R Mike Smith

Wheels have come off since last summer's Ffos Las near-miss (7f, good to soft), including on all four starts for current handler; drop to another career-low mark isn't sufficiently enticing.

66/1

2

(3)

28th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Yellow Pages

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Ex-Archie Watson; 11-race maiden and hasn't run well enough this season to suggest he can take this.

33/1

12

(11)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Yellow Pages

8st 11lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: R Mike Smith

Had a close call at Ffos Las (extended 7f, good to soft) in June 2024 but much less to show for subsequent handicap runs, most recently here this month when back from an absence; one to watch for now.

50/1

Non-runners

Bowood, Shaladar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.40
Straight Forecast £25.13
Tricast £119.25
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Forest Caper

Telegraph:

Penelope's Sister

TOPSPEED:

Quiet Resolve

Daily Mail:

Bowood

RP RATINGS:

Harswell Duke

POSTDATA:

Quiet Resolve

The Times:

Forest Caper

Daily Mirror:

Forest Caper

The Sun:

Forest Caper

The Star:

Forest Caper

The Guardian:

Penelope's Sister

D Express:

Penelope's Sister

Daily Record:

Penelope's Sister