The stiff nature of the track at Ayr should really suit FORTAMOUR and with the big field likely to bring out the best in him too I think he should run well today. He was never going to enjoy the slow pace at Ascot last time out and that run can be discounted. His victory at Ripon the run before that is a much better marker of his well being and to be fair to him he has been running well all year so a good run is almost guaranteed. At 14/1 I think he is a sound each way play today.
Down at Newbury I'll be keeping a close eye on ACE AUSSIE in the 3.30 listed 7f race. He went into my notebook when second to Poetic Flare at the start of the season and he proved himself to be a 7f specialist after that. A break since his last run suggests he may not have been at his best that day and the fact Jessie Harrington sends him over would also suggest a good run is expected.
Ayr 3.20 Fortamour
Newbury 3.30 Ace Aussie
Saturday
It's a bumper day at Ayr tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. George Boughey's HELLOMYDARLIN is certainly deserving of a big win and I'm hopeful her day in the sun can be tomorrow. The stiff 6f here will really bring out the best in this filly who is clear on ratings and she might just outstay her less exposed rivals if this turns into a tear up. Her form stacks up well and at 15/2 she is a safe each way bet.
The big race of the day is the Ayr Gold Cup and I can only advise a small each way play in such a competitive race. GULLIVER is bang in form at present and is fast becoming a standing dish in these tough handicap sprints. A second in the Stewards Cup shows he has the class to go close in a race of this standing, he just needs the breaks at the right time in order to get his head in front.
REDARNA isn't far off from havin a statue here at Ayr after 6 wins from 8 runs and it will be a brave man who backs against him getting a 7th tomorrow. He is in good form at present and a close third at Carlisle will tee him up nicely for this. I expect him to be installed around the 11/2 mark and I don't think you will lose much money if you back him each way.
I'm going to take a chance on an old friend of mine in the Cesarewitch trial at Newmarket as the stars might just be aligning for a return to form for CLEONTE. A close third in the big race itself a few years ago showed his liking for this extreme test of stamina and a Royal Ascot win also shows the calibre of this horse. He has been struggling for form of late but he has dropped to a low mark and gets the chance to run off a nice low weight tomorrow. He might just out run his odds.
Ayr 3.05 Hellomydarlin
Ayr 3.40 Gulliver
Ayr 4.50 Redarna
Newmarket 3.15 Cleonte
