TRAINER John Gosden has first runner at Ayr Racecourse in almost four years today (Wednesday) when Anastarsia lines up in the £47,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes, Listed Race.
The four year-old filly has only raced five times and has one win on the all-weather at Newcastle in 2019 to her credit. This is a big ask on her return from an 11 month absence but her trainer, who now shares training duties with his son Thady, wouldn't be sending her on the long trip from Newmarket if he didn't think she could be competitive and PJ McDonald takes the mount.
Chris Wall's Black Lotus is another Newmarket raider and she was third in a similar grade of race at Nottingham last month and David Allan comes in for the ride. A filly who has good form this year on the all-weather is Pholas from the George Boughey yard and Nicola Currie rides.
The 10 strong field is the biggest ever for the 1m 2f contest which was first run in 2016 and other leading trainers who are presented include Sir Michael Stoute who runs A La Voile and Karl Burke whose representative is Angel Of The Glen.
The main supporting race on the card is the Bet At Racingtv.com Handicap over five furlongs and Keith Dalgleish has a live contender in Denzil's Laughing who won last time out at Catterick and runs off bottom weight with Joe Fanning riding.
Joe has another good ride in the Book Your Staycation @Westernhousehotel.co.uk Handicap when he partners the Mark Johnston trained Puckle who was only touched off by a neck at the track last Tuesday.
The first race a five furlong sprint for two year-olds is due off at 2.10pm.
