August 09 / 18.42 Ayr

18.42

Good

Celebration Of Les Dodds Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Celebration Of Les Dodds Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 221875

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Taken a shine to Hamilton this season and looked a bit unlucky not to go closer there last time (8.3f); remains unexposed over tonight's longer trip and this is weaker, so he's one to consider for a yard in decent nick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

17:05 Hamilton

Starliner

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Linda Perratt

Took advantage of his career-low mark when beating Donna Nook at Ayr (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; not so good at Thirsk last time and he is not the easiest to predict.

9/1

9th

11

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:12 Thirsk

Starliner

8st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Linda Perratt

He'd taken a healthy drop in the weights during an AW spell since December and was able to take advantage at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last week; ought to have another handicap in him off this 2lb higher mark but perhaps in a less competitive race than this.

7/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: 944626 C BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won in almost two years and isn't quite as good now, looking to have no excuses when favourite at York last time, despite being carried left late on; remains consistent, though, and is still capable with Jack Callan taking off 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(14)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:03 Doncaster

Tele Red

10st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

In-form 8yo who recorded a 2l success at Pontefract (1m2f, soft) on Monday, ending two-year losing spell; incurs 4lb penalty but Jack Nicholls takes off useful 5lb; could well remain competitive.

4/1

1st

14

(5)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

16:33 Pontefract

Tele Red

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

8yo who has been beaten on his last 17 starts going back to October 2023 but he's been runner-up on his last two outings (1m, good/soft), most recently here when beaten a neck; he should be fine now back up to 1m2f and he has a strong record here; could be thereabouts.

9/1

10

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

17:15 Haydock

Tele Red

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

In form and pretty consistent but he's exposed and hasn't won for almost two years; likely to give his running but vulnerable to younger legs.

12/1

Form: 729178 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Excuses since her Ballinrobe win off 5lb lower, latterly when waited with in a Galway handicap (8.6f) in which the pace held up; improved for being upped to this trip this year and is shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(6)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:08 Dundalk (AW)

Si Senior

10st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: M K Flannery

Nothing like her best form in ten races since a 1m2f Ballinrobe win last June; unappealing in a sprint handicap at this stage of her career, although she won a maiden at around 6f at two.

33/1

Form: -18383

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Didn't quite see out 1m3f at Hamilton in June but conversely found 1m an inadequate test here last time; fair claims of giving his trainer (also runs Bint Al Karama) a fourth win in this race in the space of five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

8th

2

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:53 Hamilton

Izzari

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Three-time winner who was quite eyecatching after a break at Newcastle (1m) and the winner has been going places; fine on the grass and considered.

11/4

4th

12

(12)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Izzari

8st 11lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

1m2f course winner in September but higher marks found him out in two subsequent visits last year; others are preferred back from four months off.

20/1

Form: -53086 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Two wins, three seconds and a third to his name in nine runs over C&D; last three efforts haven't been great but he's had excuses and is on an attractive mark if he's able to dictate (not certain) and settles better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Pol Roger

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

On a handy mark and may be back in better form with Thirsk reappearance under his belt; however, he's on two-year losing spell and record suggests he'll be more interesting when returned to Ayr.

9/1

8th

2

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Pol Roger

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Lost his way in the autumn; has dropped to a favourable mark as a result (went close off 5lb higher last autumn) but a losing run of 21 doesn't inspire confidence; first start for 140 days.

10/1

Form: 111867 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Front-running veteran who completed a course hat-trick in the spring, latterly off tonight's mark, to take his career win total here to 11; not in the same form since, though, and this looks competitive enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

16:51 Hamilton

Glasses Up

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: R Mike Smith

11yo who was a close third over 1m1f at Ayr two starts ago and is versatile trip-wise; however, Ayr brings out the best in him and he was well beaten at Musselburgh last time; 0-4 here, with last visit coming last June.

25/1

5th

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won at this track but who is better known for his exploits at Ayr; solid third at that track 16 days ago (1m1f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away if backing it up.

4/1

3rd

7

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won 11 times here, including three last year (1m2f/1m5f); on a good mark and should come on for his run at Musselburgh last week; contender.

13/2

Form: 316-89

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Ex-German mare who won a seller on her debut for this yard last autumn; two awful efforts over C&D this summer leave her hard to fancy in a first-time tongue-tie (Izzari clearly her trainer's best chance).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

13:52 Musselburgh

Bint Al Karama

10st 6lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

Has posted her most encouraging British performances in C&D sellers, respectable third in latest start; has unconvincing handicap form but may fare better off current mark.

10/1

4

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 4

15:30 Musselburgh

Bint Al Karama

9st 3lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Won the equivalent race 12 months ago; however, this is a stronger race and she's found things very tough this season.

25/1

9th

4

(5)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Ayr

Bint Al Karama

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won a seller in October but no worthwhile form in five handicaps since then.

25/1

Form: 237164

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Looked to have no excuses at York last time (previous effort best ignored) but it's still early days with him; will need to improve for the longer trip either way (stamina not assured on pedigree).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Obito

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Always towards the rear on reappearance over C&D (good) three weeks ago but may have needed that run; won twice last summer (1m/1m2f, good; including here) and he's on a competitive mark on last autumn's form (including on soft ground); he can be in the mix if bouncing back.

6/1

8th

1

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Obito

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

A dual winner in 2025 (including here) who also finished runner-up three times in the autumn; yard is going well so he must enter calculations on his return.

13/2

6th

4

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

13:55 Redcar

Obito

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Dual winner who is holding his form well on all sorts of ground and has the same mark as when second at Ayr five weeks ago (1m2f); solid.

4/1

7/1

Form: -51041 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent filly who proved 1m4f within range off 3lb lower last time, when coming away with a subsequent winner, despite again pulling hard; should be fine with the drop back in trip if in the same mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:32 Thirsk

Idyllic

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Wilf Storey

A two-time scorer, including over C&D in the first half of 2025 but she ended last year under something of a cloud; needs to hit the ground running on her seasonal return.

20/1

5

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Idyllic

9st 6lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

Inconsistent filly who was tailed off at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) four weeks ago and is unproven on soft/heavy ground; however, she's won two of her seven starts this year (1m3f/1m4f, good to soft/good) and isn't written off.

12/1

6

(3)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

18:25 Newcastle (AW)

Idyllic

8st 9lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

Two wins from six starts for her new stable this year, over 1m3f at Carlisle and 1m4f at Thirsk; has shown promise on Tapeta but she's up in class today and might come up short.

12/1

Form: 334332

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Sole win came more than two years ago and, while consistent enough, he's been expensive to follow of late; headgear comes off and a first-time tongue-tie goes on, and he has to prove he wants to do it into a more competitive race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Whatacracker

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Acts on this surface but his sole win came over 1m3f at Carlisle in 2023 and mostly campaigned at that trip and further since; major query back at 1m for first time in the best part of three years.

16/1

4

(12)

14th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Leicester

Whatacracker

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Only win was over 1m3f at Carlisle in July 2023 (good to soft); several decent placed efforts this season, and would have a chance on that form, but rather disappointing on last two starts.

20/1

10th

14

(14)

17th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

17:24 Beverley

Whatacracker

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Walford

Placed in four of his last six starts including a close call over C&D (soft) in July; on same mark here but he didn't fire at Ayr last time and that took his record to 1-21; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

16/1

Form: /95525 CD BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Couple of subsequent winners just behind when a clear second to Sure And Stedfast over C&D last month, but typically failed to reproduce that when well held at a short price down to 0-60 company here a week later; capable if the mood takes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:22 Hamilton

Sophiesticate

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: R Mike Smith

Below par on final two starts last year and same story on recent reappearance over 1m at Ayr; however, she's back up to a more suitable trip today and is 6lb below her last winning mark; not written off.

14/1

7th

6

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 6lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: R Mike Smith

Campaigned mostly at longer trips (stays 12.5f) and offered little back over 1m at Newcastle in early December.

33/1

7

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 2lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

C&D winner who was on the scoresheet at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) in August; ran okay when third over C&D (soft) nine days ago but was no match for the first two (including Cisco Disco); needs something extra.

9/1

Form: -84813 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Edged out Sophiesticate over C&D off a 2lb lower mark last month and ran to a similar level in defeat in better company here 12 days ago; may yet be capable of better and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

16:51 Hamilton

Sure And Stedfast

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Returned to form when third here (1m3f, good) last month on second run of the season; also effective on soft ground; could play a leading role if seeing out this longer trip, and there can be optimism on that score.

4/1

3rd

9

(9)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Sure And Stedfast

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Ewan Whillans

Can get a bit worked up and not that consistent but he still won last summer at Ayr (1m2f) and Carlisle (1m1f) and ran creditably over 1m4f on final outing; no show at 33-1 for recent reappearance when a hood was enlisted, which it isn't today; competitive if this is one of his good days.

20/1

10th

10

(2)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Sure And Stedfast

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Buzzy gelding who won twice on turf last year; only run once before on the AW but this mark should be within range if he keeps calm in a first-time hood back from six months off.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £125.20
Straight Forecast £92.89
Tricast £518.74
Trifecta £1010.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Tele Red

Daily Mail:

Sophiesticate

The Times:

Sure And Stedfast

D Express:

Izzari

SPOTLIGHT:

Si Senior

RP RATINGS:

Pol Roger

Daily Record:

Whatacracker

Daily Mirror:

Sophiesticate

The Star:

Sophiesticate

Telegraph:

Tele Red

The Guardian:

Tele Red

The Sun:

Tele Red