August 09 / 19.42 Ayr

19.42

Good

Christmas Parties At Western House Hotel Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Christmas Parties At Western House Hotel Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 699033 D BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Done most winning in the second half of the year and has come back to form lately after a quiet spring; well suited by easy, turning courses and holds obvious claims off the same mark as for last weekend's Chester third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Empirestateofmind

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: John & Sean Quinn

A fair 1m1f winner in 2025 but arrives out of sorts, beating one in 1m handicap at Pontefract eight days ago; others are preferred.

40/1

5th

5

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Empirestateofmind

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

A dual winner (around 1m) in 2025 but he's yet to fire this season, only ninth of 11 in 1m Redcar handicap four weeks ago; others appeal more.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 273254 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Consistent all year, bar one blip on unsuitable fast ground, and things didn't pan out her way behind Empirestateofmind last time; will want a proper test over this trip round here from the outside stall but is capable if she gets one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Carlisle

Epidavros

11st 2lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: Katie Scott

Course winner who is on a losing run but it was a fair effort when fourth to Sanafi Zabeel at Hamilton (8.5f, good) last time; gets a 5lb weight pull for that 2l defeat and the forecast rain would be welcome; respected.

9/2

4th

5

(9)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

19:30 Hamilton

Epidavros

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Katie Scott

Plenty of defeats at short prices since her last victory, here almost two years ago; she's more than capable off this mark, though, if the first-time headgear does the trick in a winnable handicap.

5/1

5th

2

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

16:42 Hamilton

Epidavros

9st 10lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Katie Scott

Beaten 17 times since she last won, here (1m1f, good to soft) in September 2024; however, she's run a lot of good races in the meantime and was third of nine at Carlisle (1m, soft) recently; might not be far away.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 644-23 C BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Resumed from a ten-month break in good form and a 4lb swing entitles him to at least close the gap on Boy Dougles from 12 days ago; will do well to lead as he likes with Two B Tanned in here, though, and there's little wiggle room off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:20 Hamilton

Kelpie Grey

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Hat-trick of wins in 2024 (7f/1m); not scored since, and mainly out of form this year; handles these conditions and really well treated at present, but needs to bounce back.

7/1

11th

4

(2)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Kelpie Grey

9st 13lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Dual C&D winner but his last success was in May 2024 and he's not finished closer than fifth in his seven runs this season; needs to find more back up in trip.

15/2

8th

4

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Ayr

Kelpie Grey

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Winless since 7f success here in May 2024 and has yet to find his true form this year (beaten favourite three times; behind Mr Cool here last time) but he ran well on occasions in better 6f races than this in 2025 and won't mind what the weather does; quite well treated now and a revival could be imminent.

9/2

16/1

Form: 9-1490 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced in France, his wins coming on soft ground in spring 2024 and Polytrack in February; didn't get home over 1m2f when last seen two months ago and the market will guide having been picked up for 18,000euros (yard also runs Duke's Command).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Zryan

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

Two AW wins in the winter (9.4f/1m2f); it's possible he's gone off the boil but when beaten 8l in ninth of 13 at Newmarket a fortnight ago he was denied a clear passage before keeping on nicely; not ruled out each-way back up in trip.

25/1

9th

5

(11)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Zryan

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Won twice on the AW over the winter but he seems to have gone off the boil, well beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday; not so effective yet on turf; others make more appeal.

16/1

11th

13

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Zryan

8st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: David O’Meara

Won at Wolverhampton (9.4f) in December and over this C&D in January; below best at Wolverhampton (8.6f) latest and he's running in a higher grade than he's used to, but he has an each-way shout on the pick of his winter form.

16/1

Form: 111161 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Free-going front-runner who's won five of her last six, the fitting of a hood and cheekpieces having helped, and climbed 32lb up the weights; this is a stronger, more competitive handicap upped another 6lb but she may well be up to it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 3

16:15 Pontefract

Two B Tanned

10st 2lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who posted five wins last year and reappeared with another at Musselburgh (1m, good) in April; unplaced on both starts since and, while she didn't run badly back at Musselburgh last time, she's taking on 3yos this afternoon and may again prove vulnerable.

10/1

7th

3

(9)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

15:00 Musselburgh

Two B Tanned

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runs; major improvement for this yard in 2025, winning five times, including over C&D; improved on those efforts when coming clear in fine style over 1m here (good) on reappearance but she ran poorly when going unpenalised at Redcar next time and now has an 8lb higher mark on her plate; probably wouldn't want much rain.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: /71280 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Win and an unlucky second in the hood in June and no surprise to see headgear back on tonight following two ordinary efforts without it (pulled hard latest); ought to fare much better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(10)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Dukes Command

8st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Two 1m wins on turf last season and added another on AW at Lingfield (1m2f) in December; however, he needs to produce a bigger performance than he's managed across his four outings this year.

40/1

5th

2

(5)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Dukes Command

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: David O’Meara

Won at Lingfield (AW) in December on first crack at 1m2f and raced wide when sixth of 14 at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last month; this two-time turf winner remains unexposed at today's trip and is not ruled out.

7/1

Form: -70311 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made it four wins from five runs here when going in over the extended 7f 12 days ago (Kelpie Grey third); a 3lb rise looks fair and he has every chance of completing the hat-trick, with the step back up in trip in his favour if anything.
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: 622125 D BF

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Chelmsford win in April came over 1m2f and he's run over a middle-distance a couple of times since; the headgear comes off for his new yard, having been picked up from the Crisfords for 7,500gns, and he'll need a career best after ten weeks off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(8)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Cavalry Call

10st 1lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice for the Crisford stable but has struggled since, including failing to beat a rival in three starts for current stable; lots to prove.

100/1

11th

12

(9)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Cavalry Call

9st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice for the Crisford stable but he struggled for Mike Smith, and has failed to beat a rival in each of his two starts for current stable; lots to prove.

33/1

13th

4

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cavalry Call

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

1m turf and 1m2f AW winner for the Crisfords but he never took off for Mike Smith and finished last of seven on his stable debut ten weeks ago; impossible to recommend without a market move to offer revival hopes.

33/1

Non-runners

On The River, Redarna

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.40
Straight Forecast £15.69
Tricast £48.06
Trifecta £55.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Boy Douglas

Daily Mail:

Two B Tanned

SPOTLIGHT:

Epidavros

The Times:

Duke's Command

RP RATINGS:

Empirestateofmind

The Guardian:

Epidavros

The Star:

Two B Tanned

Daily Record:

Two B Tanned

POSTDATA:

Boy Douglas

Telegraph:

Boy Douglas

D Express:

Boy Douglas

Daily Mirror:

Boy Douglas

The Sun:

Boy Douglas