October 09 / 17.05 Ayr

17.05

Heavy

London Essence Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 5f 26y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
RTV
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London Essence Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 64-44

Last run: 161 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who is lightly raced on the Flat, but she was a 6l last of four here (1m7f, good to firm) in May on her handicap debut in this code and improvement is needed on this first run since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(5)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Inspire Hope

10st 0lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Hurdle winner (good) when trained by Joseph O'Brien; comfortably held in all starts since joining this trainer, the last three in this code (12.5f-1m7f); takes another slight drop in grade so may get more competitive.

8/1

8th

1

(5)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Inspire Hope

10st 0lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Hurdle winner (good) when trained by Joseph O'Brien; comfortably held in all starts since joining this trainer, the last three in this code (12.5f-1m7f); takes another slight drop in grade so may get more competitive.

8/1

1

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Inspire Hope

10st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who is lightly raced on the Flat, but she was a 6l last of four here (1m7f, good to firm) in May on her handicap debut in this code and improvement is needed on this first run since.

8/1

Form: 22-727

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden who was well beaten at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last Monday on his first run since wind surgery; however, that was his first outing since April and back then he was short-headed over this C&D (good); also effective on soft ground; not written off today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Vampire Slayer

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Won in a first-time visor (retained since) at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in January and easily made all at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) next time; having gone up 9lb he was beaten 9l when third of 14 at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last time but today's sharper track may help; could make bold bid.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Vampire Slayer

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Two from two since visor went on, winning at Catterick (1m7f, soft) and Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft; won by 13l); put up 9lb for last win but should be competitive again.

100/30

1st

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:42 Sedgefield

Vampire Slayer

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

0-26 (0-9 over hurdles) prior to getting off the mark in a first-time visor at Catterick (1m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; came clear with the favourite and he's a strong candidate if the headgear maintains its effect.

5/2

Form: -54954

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who is yet to threaten and was well beaten over C&D (good to soft) in July, but she made some late headway when fourth of six in a first-time visor (retained) at Sandown (1m2f, soft) three weeks ago and on that evidence she's worth another go at this trip; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:30 Uttoxeter

Amalfina

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: D J Jeffreys

Left Karl Burke for 7,000gns and as a seven-race maiden; 150-1 when never a factor on hurdle debut at Worcester.

100/1

7th

10

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Worcester

Amalfina

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

0-7 on the Flat for Karl Burke but showed some fair form at up to 1m5f and seems versatile ground-wise; sold for 7,000gns in the autumn; makes stable/hurdle debut after eight-month break.

25/1

3

(5)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Amalfina

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Six-race maiden who is yet to threaten and was well beaten over C&D (good to soft) in July, but she made some late headway when fourth of six in a first-time visor (retained) at Sandown (1m2f, soft) three weeks ago and on that evidence she's worth another go at this trip; not discounted.

6/1

Form: 720715

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent for Mike Murphy and unraced on slow going; however, he won at Lingfield (2m, AW) two runs ago and is not ruled out on yard debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Velvet Vulcan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Twice narrowly beaten at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in the winter but he has struggled to get competitive at Musselburgh, Ayr and here in his last three starts; mark is manageable and trainer won a division of this last year with Follow Charlie but he needs a revival in fortunes.

12/1

6th

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:25 Perth

Velvet Vulcan

10st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Dual Flat winner who showed best hurdles form when going very close at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January/February, latterly to The Coffey Boy; does need to shrug off two lesser runs since, though.

11/1

6th

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Ayr

Velvet Vulcan

10st 12lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Dual Flat winner who showed best hurdles form when going very close at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January/February and ties in with The Coffey Boy on the latter effort; had excuses (unsuited by the track and/or removal of hood) at Musselburgh since; has been taking a good hold and may benefit from this drop back in trip; possibilities.

5/1

Form: 9944

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
All four starts on AW; displayed little in her qualifying races but made late headway into fourth of 14 when upped in trip on recent handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f), where he was short of room late on; very much of interest if taking to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Alfred Spero

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Gemma Tutty

Eight-race maiden who has largely encouraging form since handicapping, solid second at Newcastle (12.5f; behind subsequent winner) most recently; enters calculations off same mark.

5/2

5

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Alfred Spero

9st 1lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

All four starts on AW; displayed little in her qualifying races but made late headway into fourth of 14 when upped in trip on recent handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f), where he was short of room late on; very much of interest if taking to turf.

11/4

9

(13)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Alfred Spero

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Gemma Tutty

Beaten a long way in his qualifying races (1m-1m2f) and comes with risks on handicap debut.

20/1

9/4

Form: 008531 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing run going back to September 2022 when winning here (1m7f, soft) last Tuesday; her profile suggests her credentials for following up are questionable, but she had 3l to spare last week and a 4lb penalty may not stop her if she can reproduce that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

4th

6

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Ayr

Aighear

9st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Well held when third of four in C&D contest that was seemingly stolen from the front by a stablemate last month but it's unwise to judged her harshly on that; won here twice in the mud in the autumn and significant rain will give her strong claims.

14/1

Form: 5-8826

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
4yo who made it 0-7 when flopping at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) latest; however, prior to that she was second at the same course (1m3f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces, and perhaps the switch to blinkers will be a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Elvington

8st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

4yo who made it 0-7 when flopping at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) latest; however, prior to that she was second at the same course (1m3f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces, and perhaps the switch to blinkers will be a positive.

14/1

5

(6)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:13 Hamilton

Elvington

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: Liam Bailey

Six-race maiden; has patchy form but ran well in first-time cheekpieces at Hamilton (1m3f) most recently, finishing second to Jaminoz.

8/1

10

(4)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

19:45 Hamilton

Elvington

8st 11lb

J: Sam James

T: Liam Bailey

Tailed off in both her handicaps (1m6f/2m1f) and has no form claims; cheekpieces added.

100/1

Form: 456404

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ran okay when fourth at Hamilton (1m4f, good) in August but two lesser performances have followed and he's now 0-18; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Millbuie

8st 6lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ewan Whillans

27-race maiden; creditable third in a C&D classified event eight days ago (good); this is tougher.

7/1

3rd

7

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Ayr

Millbuie

9st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ewan Whillans

Placed in similar event on AW two starts ago (1m2f) but that is flanked by lesser efforts on turf; remains a longstanding maiden.

14/1

10th

11

(3)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Millbuie

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

25-race maiden; had run of the race at Newcastle (1m2f; third, 16-1) last week but was unable to make it count; no reason to think that this return to turf can unlock the door; others are more convincing.

20/1

Form: -59887 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come here but the latest was in May 2023 and this 9yo has struggled to get competitive this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Royal Countess

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have come here but the latest was in May 2023 and this 9yo has struggled to get competitive this year.

33/1

7th

11

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:10 Musselburgh

Royal Countess

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: R Mike Smith

Without a win since May 2023, and her form over the last two seasons does not suggest she can end her drought.

50/1

6

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:42 Ayr

Royal Countess

9st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: R Mike Smith

C&D scorer on fast and slow ground, but not for over two years now and never in headgear; two 18l defeats here last month to forgive.

33/1

Form: 707

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Made debut in June and well beaten at big odds over 1m3f on all three starts (including on soft); makes handicap debut off basement mark in first-time cheekpieces and a market check is advised, but improvement is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Ayr

Angelardo

9st 1lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Won at Newcastle (2m, AW) in March and went close over that C&D last month but was well held when fourth behind Laravie at Pontefract (2m1f, good) 11 days ago and still needs to prove himself on turf.

33/1

4th

9

(6)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Angelardo

8st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Kept on well to finish ahead of Lady Phoebe at Newcastle (2m) but he's inconsistent and has yet to prove himself on turf.

12/1

2nd

3

(5)

19th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

Angelardo

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Liam Bailey

Inconsistent but likes it here (C&D winner in March off 4lb lower) and should fare better, the blinkers experiment having been binned following a below-par effort last time.

6/1

Selections

POSTDATA:

Aighear

SPOTLIGHT:

Alfred Spero

RP RATINGS:

Alfred Spero

The Sun:

Alfred Spero

The Times:

Aighear

Telegraph:

Aighear

The Guardian:

Aighear

Daily Mail:

Aighear

D Express:

Aighear

Daily Mirror:

Aighear

The Star:

Aighear

Daily Record:

Aighear