RACE PREVIEW & TIPS (MONDAY)

16:00 Ayr

Trainer John Quinn has been in fine form in recent weeks and runs two at Ayr today, with preference of the two being Speed Company. He hasn’t been seen to best effect in his two runs so far this season but as a result has been dropped 4lbs by the handicapper and also drops in to a Class 3 race for the first time since recording a course and distance victory in June 2017, beating the re-opposing Testa Rossa and taking his record in Class 3 races to three wins from three runs. He runs today off 6lbs lower than that last winning mark, has a record of two wins from three runs at Ayr and is re-united with jockey Phillip Makin (who boasts a record of three wins and a second from four rides when riding Speed Company) for the first time since that last victory so looks to have an excellent chance of another victory here.

Ventura Dragon won over this trip at the first time of asking, staying on well to beat a couple of subsequent winners. He has gone up 4lbs as a consequence and is also without Connor Murtagh’s 5lbs claim this time around but could still be competitive with further progress anticipated. 

Completing the shortlist is Nicholas T who has been holding his form well and was only half a length behind the winner when second last time out. He hasn’t won in over a year but is unexposed over the ten-furlong trip and it would be no surprise if he were in the mix at the business end of the race.

Speed Company (WIN) – NAP

written by Dean Kilbryde