August 08 / 19.00 Ayr

19.00

Good

Unite Ewing Hope’s Happy Retirement Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Unite Ewing Hope’s Happy Retirement Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -05458 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his best form and some of that has been here, although not on his latest visit in July when only eighth; however, he's one of a few in here who would appreciate softening ground and firmly enters the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Theoryofeverything

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

Well handicapped on his best form and some of that has been here, although not on his latest visit in July when only eighth; however, he's one of a few in here who would appreciate softening ground and firmly enters the reckoning.

4/1

8th

2

(7)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Theoryofeverything

10st 2lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Has produced his peak RPR of 102 in both C&D attempts, including a win off 3lb higher in this race last year; Conor Whiteley takes off a bonus 5lb; interesting returned to this scenario.

6/1

5th

2

(7)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

Theoryofeverything

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has shown signs of a resurgence and is back down to 0-90 company for the first time since successful at Ayr (1m) last July, but all four wins have come on soft ground so drying conditions wouldn't be ideal; stable triple-handed.

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -11322 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Likeably consistent dual winner who won't mind what the weather does, with recent seconds at about 1m coming on soft and good to firm; pretty solid, other than this is a step up in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(8)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Military Leader

8st 11lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Likeably consistent dual winner who won't mind what the weather does, with recent seconds at about 1m coming on soft and good to firm; pretty solid, other than this is a step up in class.

5/1

2nd

4

(1)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Military Leader

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Phillip Makin

Off the mark when winning at Southwell (1m, AW) in May and followed up over this C&D next time (good); has posted two good placed efforts since, the most recent at Chester (7.5f, soft) last month off a 2lb lower mark than today's, and makes the shortlist.

9/4

2nd

5

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

17:28 Chester

Military Leader

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Lightly raced, he landed a quickfire double at Southwell and Thirsk over 1m last month and was beaten 2l when third of 12 at Newcastle (1m, AW) ten days ago; there may be more to come and he should not be far away.

9/2

6/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 232584 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Gave it a good go from the front at Southwell (7f; fine at 1m) recently but he's been found wanting a few times since his last win, off 7lb lower on the AW last August; rain is forecast and he's unraced on ground slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Breakdancer

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Gave it a good go from the front at Southwell (7f; fine at 1m) recently but he's been found wanting a few times since his last win, off 7lb lower on the AW last August; rain is forecast and he's unraced on ground slower than good.

6/1

4th

2

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Breakdancer

10st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Things didn't pan out his way when among the favourites for a Kempton handicap early in the month, back from a break; better than that and is 1-1 on Tapeta having won here last summer; one to consider.

7/1

8th

1

(10)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:08 Kempton (AW)

Breakdancer

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won AW handicaps at Kempton (7f) and Southwell (1m) last August and he's been in good form in the UAE this winter, including when runner-up at Abu Dhabi (1m, good) on his penultimate run; returns after 111 days off but he's strongly respected back on Polytrack.

7/2

13/2

Form: 122071 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for a seventh career success over C&D 19 days ago but he's gone back up 5lb and has never won anything better than a Class 5; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Dods

Kept on well for a seventh career success over C&D 19 days ago but he's gone back up 5lb and has never won anything better than a Class 5; others preferred.

13/2

1st

1

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In good form in the spring, winning at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) before near misses at Thirsk and over C&D; not at his best on his last two starts but this is an ease in class and he's a major player in his bid to win this race for a second time (successful in 2024).

7/2

7th

8

(11)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In a consistent vein of form over 1m until below par over 1m1f last time; went very close over C&D on penultimate start and could go well returned to his usual trip.

10/1

10/1

Form: 61-018 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Ran moderately on most recent outing 50 days ago but mostly consistent for current yard and any rain would be much welcomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Milteye

9st 8lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Ran moderately on most recent outing 50 days ago but mostly consistent for current yard and any rain would be much welcomed.

10/1

8th

7

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

Milteye

9st 11lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Harriet Bethell

Has mainly proved consistent since joining this yard (233213126101), his latest win coming by a head at Ripon (1m, good to soft) in April; probably needs a bit more back up in grade and may not want the ground to dry out too much.

4/1

Form: 2-0030 C

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
All four wins have been at 7f but he hasn't had many chances at this trip, over which he ran third on his penultimate start at Carlisle; had a break since a bad run in June and has possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Count Palatine

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

All four wins have been at 7f but he hasn't had many chances at this trip, over which he ran third on his penultimate start at Carlisle; had a break since a bad run in June and has possibilities.

16/1

14th

9

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Count Palatine

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Successful over 7f at Carlisle (good to firm) and Ayr (soft) in the second half of last season; left his first two efforts of the new campaign behind when third of ten back at Carlisle (1m, good) 13 days ago; claims if he can build on that from a handy inside stall.

16/1

3rd

4

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Count Palatine

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Useful effort in defeat at Beverley (about 7f) last May and confirmed that stiff tracks suit when winning here (7f, good to firm; sole course start) in August; improved again when successful at Ayr later and no surprise if he comes on plenty from first two runs in 2026.

16/1

Form: 310805 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
On a perfectly good mark, he won't mind rain and he ran surprisingly well to be fifth in last week's Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood; lots to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Walsingham

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

On a perfectly good mark, he won't mind rain and he ran surprisingly well to be fifth in last week's Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood; lots to like.

4/1

5th

22

(16)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Walsingham

8st 8lb

T: David O’Meara

Has a record of 3-4 at Pontefract and 1-1 at Ascot; 0-16 elsewhere and his form since last success doesn't augur particularly well for this big assignment; failed to beat a rival when dropped back in grade latest start; first attempt at Goodwood.

50/1

20/1

Form: 7-5000

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Successful in France and Ireland; impossible to make a case on his five runs for Ian Williams but he'll probably come good again at some point and any rain wouldn't harm his cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Bravais

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Successful in France and Ireland; impossible to make a case on his five runs for Ian Williams but he'll probably come good again at some point and any rain wouldn't harm his cause.

20/1

11th

10

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Bravais

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Winner in France and Ireland, but has beaten a total of one rival in four starts on the AW since joining this yard; down another 3lb, but hard to warm to unless the market suggests otherwise; stable also runs Echalar; non-runner 4.10 Chester Thursday.

50/1

13/2

Form: 784814 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Did well to come from so far back and win at Carlisle (1m, good) last month and the race wasn't run to suit at Hamilton since; this could be a better fit for her and she's back in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Jannas Journey

9st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Did well to come from so far back and win at Carlisle (1m, good) last month and the race wasn't run to suit at Hamilton since; this could be a better fit for her and she's back in good form.

13/2

4th

2

(5)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

16:00 Hamilton

Jannas Journey

9st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Gained a first win of 2026 in 1m handicap at Carlisle 12 days ago, getting up late to deny Inspired having been set a lot to do; bagged a remarkable seven successes (including here) last season so merits serious consideration now she's up and running this time around.

5/2

1st

2

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

Jannas Journey

9st 7lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Scorched through last summer, winning seven times at 6f-1m on a range of surfaces; back on last winning mark when close fourth here (7f, good to firm) on penultimate start and wasn't disgraced in big-field York handicap three weeks ago; cannot be ignored.

9/2

20/1

Form: 5-3010

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made all on his final start for Ross Burdon at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) in June, after which he changed hands for 19,000gns; rain would be a bonus but he did trail home last at Hamilton only last week (1m5f) and has a good bit to prove at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

High Point

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made all on his final start for Ross Burdon at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) in June, after which he changed hands for 19,000gns; rain would be a bonus but he did trail home last at Hamilton only last week (1m5f) and has a good bit to prove at 1m.

20/1

10th

2

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

High Point

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made all on his final start for Ross Burdon at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) in June, since when he changed hands for 19,000gns; 4lb rise fair enough, but he could do with some rain; one of two runners for yard that took this in 2024.

6/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 104y

Class 4

16:28 Yarmouth

High Point

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ross Burdon

Back off the same mark as when successful at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) last September; Flat form since has been patchy but still one for the shortlist, especially if the ground stays on the soft side.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.40
Straight Forecast £15.96
Tricast £158.74
Trifecta £181.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Jannas Journey

SPOTLIGHT:

Theoryofeverything

TOPSPEED:

Hale End

NEWMARKET:

Breakdancer

Daily Record:

Military Leader

Daily Mail:

Walsingham

Telegraph:

Breakdancer

The Times:

Jannas Journey

Daily Mirror:

Jannas Journey

The Star:

Jannas Journey

RP RATINGS:

Theoryofeverything

D Express:

Theoryofeverything

The Guardian:

Hale End

The Sun:

Hale End