September 30 / 17.05 Ayr

17.05

Soft

Racing TV Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 7f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Racing TV Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1st
8 (9)
Aighear

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.20
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 200853 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Gained her second of two Flat wins in 2022 in this race (good to soft); hasn't won since although plenty of creditable place runs, including when third at Hamilton last time (1m4f, soft); place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(12)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:50 Hamilton

Aighear

8st 11lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Not found her best form in 2026 but she's down in the weights and she came good with a pair of Ayr wins on slow ground last autumn; will be more appealing when back down in grade, though.

12/1

5th

4

(4)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Hamilton

Aighear

8st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

A two-time winner (at up to 1m7f) last autumn; failed to build on earlier promise when only sixth of eight in 1m5f handicap at Ayr ten days ago; this course winner needs to get back on track.

7/1

6th

6

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Aighear

9st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won twice on slow ground here in the autumn (1m7f/1m5f) but was behind La Tosca and Ebony Maw when keeping-on fourth here (1m7f, soft) last month and the forecast quicker ground today is not ideal.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 547

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to four winners at up to 1m6f; best of three Flat runs was when fourth in 1m3f novice at Southwell; up in trip for handicap debut but has no easy task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

16:57 Redcar

Spooky Wooky

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

Seven-race maiden; ought to have coped better with the soft ground when beaten 55l on final start last season and was again tailed off when reappearing on AW last month; now sports first-time tongue-tie and visor; others have much less to prove.

20/1

7th

7

(7)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell (AW)

Spooky Wooky

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

Runner-up on handicap debut at Ayr (1m7f, soft) last September and good third at Musselburgh (2m, good) in October; this lightly raced 4yo is not written off today but it's his first outing since a heavy defeat at Musselburgh (2m, soft) in November, so there are questions to answer.

7/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 75/41 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Has won four times over hurdles; unexposed on the Flat, getting off the mark on handicap debut at Ayr last time (1m5f, soft); further progress likely and worth considering off this 6lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:50 Perth

Just Dottie

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Four course wins (all over 2m); lacked the pace to challenge when third over that trip here (good; 4-1) early last month; finished down the field back on the Flat (1m2f) since; stablemate Follow Charlie has more to recommend.

5/1

7th

6

(5)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ayr

Just Dottie

9st 6lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: R Mike Smith

Four-time hurdle winner who was a respectable third at Perth (2m, good) 25 days ago; still lightly raced on the Flat but she's 5lb higher than for her win here (1m5f, soft) last autumn and not sure this drop back to 1m2f will suit; others are more persuasive.

10/1

3rd

4

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Just Dottie

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Four C&D wins, the most recent when justifying favouritism from 2lb higher in May 2025; Flat winner since (last September); reportedly never travelling when only fifth of 12 (Ravenscraig Castle third) here on latest start.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 192466

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; only win so far was over 1m5f at Navan in May (1m5f, good); fair efforts since, including creditable sixth when stepped up to 1m6.5f last time (good); soft ground a slight concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

1

(6)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Makaiah

10st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Gerard O’Leary

Won off 2lb lower over 1m5f (good) here in May 2025; below best twice since promising seasonal reappearance at Roscommon but the drop to 0-60 company could spark a revival.

18/1

7th

8

(10)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

Makaiah

11st 1lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Gerard O’Leary

Best on good ground and shaped nicely on seasonal return over 1m4f (good) at Roscommon when a 2.5l second; failed to fire at Ballinrobe on latest but didn't get her ground; could rebound on this more suitable surface.

12/1

11th

16

(6)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Makaiah

9st 7lb

T: Gerard O’Leary

Started last season brightly with three placed efforts before a 1m5f Navan win; has also begun this season on a positive note when runner-up at Roscommon; only one win from 22 starts (along with six seconds); worth considering if getting a run; second reserve.

Form: 226-23 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Won three Flat races at up to 1m7f when trained in France (including on heavy) and has since won three times over hurdles for Amy Murphy; good second on stable debut at Musselburgh in July (2m, good) but lesser run last time (2m1f, good to soft); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Young Merlin

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has several pieces of placed form (Flat/hurdles) for current yard but his losing sequence is mounting up; not the percentage call in this competitive affair.

16/1

2nd

9

(5)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:00 Nottingham

Young Merlin

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Runner-up on stable debut at Musselburgh (2m, good) in July and he's fine on testing ground; however, this 9yo has failed to threaten on his last two outings and needs something extra today.

12/1

5th

6

(5)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Young Merlin

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three Flat races at up to 1m7f when trained in France (including on heavy) and has since won three times over hurdles for Amy Murphy; good second on stable debut at Musselburgh in July (2m, good) but lesser run last time (2m1f, good to soft); each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 7-0470

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Maiden on the Flat, but won a novice handicap hurdle in September 2024 (2m3f, good to yielding); fair fourth in a 1m5f handicap here in July (good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); headgear back on (poor run without it last time); interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:55 Tramore

Churchwarden

9st 10lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Bounced back to form when gaining a first Flat win on his third run for this yard over C&D last month in first-time blinkers, successful by 10l; hefty 12lb hike for that but interesting if headgear continues to work; just second over hurdles here on Thursday.

5/2

2nd

1

13th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:48 Tramore

Churchwarden

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in 2024 for John McConnell; came back to form in first-time blinkers to easily win on the Flat here over 1m4f last time; has to be respected back hurdling assuming the blinkers have the desired effect again.

13/8

1st

3

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

Churchwarden

10st 4lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat maiden; won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in 2024 when with John McConnell; down the field in two runs for this stable; seemed to be well fancied for a similar race to this at Roscommon on the first occasion; blinkered now after a poor hurdle run.

13/2

11/2

Form: 853384

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; seems to stay 1m6f and is better than she showed than when 7.5l fourth at Thirsk last time (1m4f, soft); could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Captious Cantor

8st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Ed Dunlop

Nine-race maiden; seems to stay 1m6f and is better than she showed than when 7.5l fourth at Thirsk last time (1m4f, soft); could go well.

11/2

4th

7

(7)

15th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

14:20 Thirsk

Captious Cantor

9st 4lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Ed Dunlop

Maiden; tailed off at Southwell last time (1m6f; not the best of runs) but two fair runs over 1m6f at Yarmouth (good) and over 1m4f at Wolverhampton prior to that; place chance.

6/1

8th

11

(7)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Captious Cantor

8st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ed Dunlop

3yo who has been consistent across her last three starts (including on Tapeta), finishing third of five at Yarmouth (1m6f, good) last month; needs something extra today but is lightly raced and might not be far away.

8/1

6/1

Form: 533839 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Three of his five wins have been in October, the latest off a 4lb higher mark in this race 12 months ago (good); below his best with blinkers tried last time, but close third at Hamilton previous start (1m5f, good to soft); acts on heavy; chance with regular cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:50 Hamilton

Ebony Maw

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Ewan Whillans

Finished third behind Perseus Way in this race 12 months ago and he is rated 5lb lower this time around; comes here on the back of three solid efforts, including a 1m5f win at Ayr, and holds each-way claims again.

8/1

3rd

1

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

20:30 Hamilton

Ebony Maw

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ewan Whillans

Has never run on ground faster than good and has a couple of heavy-ground wins to his name; 0-13 here but has gone close more than once and arrives in form, having responded well to a switch to front-running at Ayr last month; leading claims upped 2lb.

4/1

1st

7

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Ebony Maw

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual C&D winner; on a losing run of 17 but was seemingly perked up by refitted cheekpieces when third here (1m7f, soft; just behind La Tosca) last month and competes off another career-low mark today.

8/1

66/1

Form: 5/7-55

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in Ireland more than five years ago; disappointing on the Flat and over jumps this season; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(3)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

15:47 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ebendi

8st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Andrew Wilson

Just 1-30 and nothing for a long time to suggest he can double his tally.

50/1

7th

7

(6)

19th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ebendi

9st 0lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Andrew Wilson

Useful in Ireland in his younger days but been poor under both codes for this yard for a good while; tailed off behind two of these at Pontefract last time.

50/1

7th

11

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Ebendi

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Andrew Wilson

He's dropped to a basement mark but his sole win came in 2020 and this 9yo struggled to get competitive last year; first run since last October.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £435.30
Straight Forecast £499.52
Tricast £1395.76
Trifecta £2383.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Just Dottie

SPOTLIGHT:

Ebony Maw

NEWMARKET:

Captious Cantor

D Express:

Aighear

The Guardian:

Makaiah

RP RATINGS:

Churchwarden

The Sun:

Young Merlin

The Times:

Captious Cantor

Daily Mirror:

Aighear

The Star:

Just Dottie

Daily Record:

Just Dottie

POSTDATA:

Ebony Maw

Daily Mail:

Ebony Maw