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13:14 Ayr
A mile handicap where a few familiar faces line up.
The likes of Ayr Poet, Engles Rock and Tommy G all know how to win around here. They should all be competitive, however there might be one or two in here more competitively weighted.
Merricourt looks a solid option for a place. He also loves it here. Things didn’t go his way last time, but the setup in this race should suit better.
A chance is taken with the class dropper Hartswood.
He certainly could be the value as this is his easiest assignment for a while. This flat track, with some cut in the ground should be ideal, and despite top weight, he’s a whopping 14 pounds below his last winning mark.
HARTSWOOD (WIN)
14:54 Ayr
A seven furlong handicap which may not be as complete as it looks at first glance.
Love De Vega stands out as an improving three year old. He ran well at Ascot last time, and off the same mark here, he has an obvious chance, particularly to attack from stall 2.
Gweedore is another obvious contender, winning a competitive race here over a mile last time out. The drop in trip shouldn’t inconvenience, but he’s been on the go a while.
Zip looks potentially good each way value to pick up some pieces. He’s been running better than his form figures suggest, and he’s certainly becoming attractively handicapped. He could ideally do with it being softer, but if they go hard enough, it’s easy to see him doing his best work late on. It’s also a bonus that he has a good record this time of year.
ZIP (E/W) written by Matt Polley