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

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

3rd

8

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Ayr

Pol Roger

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Yet to add to his two C&D wins in spring 2024 but got back in the groove with a close second at Pontefract (1m2f, good) this month, his second run this season, and remains well handicapped on some of last year's placed form; a possible.

6/1

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

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

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

7th

2

(10)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Ayr

Cisco Disco

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: R Mike Smith

Enjoyed a revival in second half of last season, winning four times here (1m-1m2f, good-heavy); well down the field on last month's reappearance outing, though, and remains on a tough mark.

16/1

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

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

6th

1

(7)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

17:52 Hamilton

Tee Aitch Aye

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won over 1m1f here (soft) last September when 3lb higher but he's beaten only one rival in the course of his three races this year; probably stays 1m2f but well beaten in his three attempts at 1m4f; risky.

14/1

7th

9

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Tee Aitch Aye

8st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Iain Jardine

Won over C&D (soft) last September when 1lb higher and he's one to watch in the betting, especially if the ground is on the slow side; however, he's been tailed off on both starts this season.

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

4th

10

(10)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Idyllic

8st 11lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

A dual 1m3f/1m4f scorer in 2025; underwent wind surgery before only fifth of six in 1m4f handicap at Doncaster three weeks ago; needs to take a step forward.

20/1

5th

5

(6)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Idyllic

9st 4lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Wilf Storey

Has won over 1m2f, 1m3f and 1m4f; however, she closed out last season under a cloud and was again below her best on reappearance despite having the run of things up front; had a wind operation in April.

13/2

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

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

1st

7

(6)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Chester

Star Cast

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Is enjoying a fine season and she bagged a fourth success at Ripon (1m2f) in May; posted another good effort when beaten a short head in 1m1f Carlisle handicap four days ago; well in the mix again off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

10

(9)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:53 Carlisle

Star Cast

9st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Generally progressive on AW/turf this year, winning four times over 1m2f; creditable third over 1m4f at Musselburgh last time; remains in form and may still have more to offer at this level; shortlisted.

4/1

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

3rd

2

(6)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:30 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: R Mike Smith

Last three wins came over C&D; hit flat spot but rallied for third under these conditions last week; obvious claims of turning the tables on winner Gemini Man given she was beaten two necks and has a 4lb pull; 7lb claimer Kyle McHugh enlisted too.

11/4

3rd

6

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:45 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

8st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: R Mike Smith

A three-time C&D winner for Jim Goldie; much better signs for her new yard with sixth of 11 in 1m4f Hamilton handicap 18 days ago when set a lot to do; well in the mix if building on that here.

12/1

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

3rd

4

(6)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Cascade Hall

8st 12lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this spring, latterly when making all to score by over 6l at Musselburgh (2m, good) last month; safely held when making the frame on next two outings (2m/2m1f) but still enters calculations.

11/4

4th

3

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Cascade Hall

10st 2lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Back in good form this season, most recently when making all to win by over 6l at Musselburgh (2m, good) last month; well-held third in Chester 0-80 since but this is more his level.

11/4

3rd

11

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Cascade Hall

8st 8lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Back in good form this season, most recently when making all to win by over 6l at Musselburgh (2m, good) eight days ago; 6lb higher in much more competitive race here but won't mind if the ground is much slower.

7/2

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