October 09 / 13.40 Ayr

13.40

Heavy

Absolut Vodka Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Absolut Vodka Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 862622 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
His last two wins came over C&D last May and he's been beaten just a neck over 1m here on his last two starts; runs off the same mark as last week (on soft; due a 2lb rise) and can be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Pol Roger

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Added to a good Ayr record when seeing off 12 rivals over 1m2f (good) 26 days ago; a 6lb rise demands more of him (yet to win above a mark of 70) but he'll handle today's ground and has a more solid recent profile than most.

11/2

1st

5

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Pol Roger

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Dual C&D winner in 2024; run down late in refitted cheekpieces at Pontefract (1m2f) in June, and finished third (one place behind Mr Lincoln) over C&D next time; fast ground a plausible excuse for a lesser effort latest; runner-up in this last year.

16/1

4th

2

(5)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Pol Roger

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Yet to add to his two C&D wins in spring 2024 but got back in the groove with two placed runs last month, the latter in Class 4 C&D contest; ought to pose a potent threat at this lower level.

7/2

11/2

Form: 352932 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Course winner who was beaten by a short head at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last time; she excels at Hamilton and has never won over a trip this short, but her surplus stamina may be no bad thing given the testing conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Tafsir

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

First visit here; excels at Hamilton, where she was short-headed last month (1m4f, soft), and she was always behind at Ayr on Thursday on a very rare crack at 1m2f (heavy); attempts at this trip have also been scarce but there have been hints that it's a distance at which she could have untapped potential.

16/1

2

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Tafsir

10st 2lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Course winner who was beaten by a short head at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last time; she excels at Hamilton and has never won over a trip this short, but her surplus stamina may be no bad thing given the testing conditions.

11/2

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

15:33 Hamilton

Tafsir

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Lost a lot of ground at the start at Ayr last Thursday so there's a risk attached on the back of that; however, in the circumstances she did well to finish third of six (beaten just over 9l) and three of her last four wins have come here (on various ground) including this race last year; capable.

6/1

Form: 451511 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Made it three course wins from his last four starts when scoring over C&D (soft) nine days ago; came clear with an in-form runner-up last time and this rejuvenated 7yo may well take a 4lb penalty in his stride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(13)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Cisco Disco

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Scored four times here (three over C&D) in 2025; yet to fire this season however and never threatened when sixth of nine over 1m here three weeks ago.

50/1

6th

3

(8)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Cisco Disco

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: R Mike Smith

Won four handicaps here (1m-1m2f, good or slower) in the second half of 2025; yet to fire this time around and may need both slower ground and further help from the handicapper.

25/1

10th

5

(7)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Cisco Disco

9st 11lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: R Mike Smith

Ended 2025 when completing a hat-trick over C&D (third C&D success) in October but he's yet to fire this summer, soon ridden when only seventh of ten over C&D 16 days ago; has something to prove now.

20/1

Form: 364851

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Kept on for close fifth over C&D (good) in August then got off the mark at the ninth attempt at Hamilton (1m1f, soft) last month, when he was clear with one who has won his next two starts; respected up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:20 Hamilton

Tee Aitch Aye

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

1m1f winner on soft ground in September last year; back to form on last two starts, finishing in the places in two races over 1m2f at Ayr (good/good to soft), last time finishing 0.75l second in first-time cheekpieces (retained); shortlisted.

9/4

2nd

5

(7)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

Tee Aitch Aye

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Slow to find his form this season, but his keeping-on third behind Royal Blaze over C&D (good) last month was a big step back in the right direction and he might be seen to even better effect if there's a stronger pace for him to chase today; sports first-time cheekpieces; interesting.

5/1

3rd

6

(7)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Tee Aitch Aye

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Now 6b lower than when coming from off the pace to open account at Hamilton (1m1f, soft) in September but has been out of form this year (four runs) and needs to turn a corner.

16/1

12/1

Form: 104147 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(9)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

17:00 Carlisle

Idyllic

9st 12lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Wilf Storey

Won twice last year, including over this C&D on good to soft; good effort when third at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) 17 days ago but she hasn't been the most constent; claims if backing up that latest effort.

3/1

3rd

5

(12)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Idyllic

9st 10lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

Won twice off marks slightly higher than today's last season (1m3f/1m4f) and was seemingly back in good nick when running-on fourth over C&D (good) last month, but suffered heavy defeat on AW 16 days ago and has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

16/1

10th

6

(11)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:35 Newcastle (AW)

Idyllic

9st 4lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

Most of her best AW efforts were on Polytrack but there was a 2024 second on Wolverhampton Tapeta; won at Thirsk (1m4f) on this day last year off a 3lb higher mark; no joy since but her Ayr fourth (1m2f) on latest start was a healthy step back in the right direction.

7/1

Form: 73-844

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
3yo who is 0-6 and yet to seriously threaten, but Newcastle (1m4f, AW) on Saturday was a step back in the right direction and the drop back in trip could be a firm plus; best 2yo run came on soft ground; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:25 Haydock

Star Cast

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

Enjoying an excellent year and garnered a sixth success in ten-runner handicap at Ayr (1m2f, soft) in June; good second of 13 there (good to soft) back from a short break 24 days ago; likely to give her running again.

7/1

2nd

3

(6)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Star Cast

10st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

Enjoying a fine year and garnered a sixth success in ten-runner handicap over C&D in June; freshened up since and remains handily weighted despite a 5lb rise; big shout.

11/4

1st

4

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Ayr

Star Cast

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

Took form to whole new level at Chester (1m2f, soft; also suited by good) a week ago, storming 7l clear, and has now won five times this year; 3lb well in under 5lb penalty; obvious contender.

7/4

Form: 221583 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(3)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

19:50 Hamilton

Sophiesticate

9st 8lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

She had been running with credit this season prior to her comfortable win at Musselburgh (1m5f, good); up 6lb but she still has handicapping scope on last year's best; all wins on good ground but appears to handle soft.

3/1

1st

4

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

9st 7lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Three times a course winner for Jim Goldie, the latest (extended 1m4f) last August off a 9lb higher mark; solid efforts on her last three starts; big run expected.

7/2

3rd

7

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Third in 1m4f handicaps at Musselburgh on her last two starts, staying on nicely on both occasions; drop back in trip on faster ground isn't sure to suit.

10/1

Form: 343205

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
He's run some good races this season, including here, but tailed off on last two starts and now 0-17; others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(11)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Cascade Hall

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Easily made all here (2m, good) in June and he's run well in third on his last two starts, most recently behind Inappropriate here (2m, good); could give it a good go from the front but this is warmer than he's used to.

14/1

3rd

7

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Cascade Hall

8st 12lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this summer, including C&D, and he wasn't beaten far at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) 18 days ago; stable may have stronger claims with Gallus Norman.

3/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cisco Disco

POSTDATA:

Pol Roger

Daily Record:

Tee Aitch Aye

Daily Mail:

Tafsir

The Times:

Sophiesticate

The Guardian:

Pol Roger

D Express:

Pol Roger

The Sun:

Pol Roger

RP RATINGS:

Cisco Disco

Telegraph:

Cisco Disco

Daily Mirror:

Cisco Disco

The Star:

Cisco Disco