Ayr - Wed 20 May 2026
Quiet Soul made a promising start to her racing career when runner-up at Newcastle three weeks ago and is respected. However, newcomer RULER'S PRIDE gets the vote. The son of Mehmas fetched 550,000gns at the Breeze-Ups last month and is bred for speed, especially given that his dam is closely related to smart US sprinter Campanelle. Crystal Queen can chase the pair home.
It looks best to stick with CLASSY CLARETS, who escapes a penalty having won an apprentice contest under Mohammed Tabti at Hamilton on Friday. The five-year-old is sure to benefit from a return to 6f too and with his rider able to utilise his 5lb claim on this occasion, this represents a decent opportunity. Canaria Sun and Jet Warrior head the list of dangers.
Jim Goldie saddles three but PEARL EYE can get him into the winner's enclosure. Third, beaten only three-quarters of a length on his seasonal return/stable bow over the mile here recently, he ought to relish this extra furlong and is fancied to take a step forward. Bath victor Candonomore has to be of interest, and so does Cisco Disco, who completed a hat-trick of course wins when last seen in October. Footwork drops in class and should not be underestimated either.
Henery Hawk regained the winning thread at Wolverhampton on his most recent start and is respected, but he remains winless on turf. With that in mind, it may pay to side with THUNDERSTORM KATIE, who did plenty of work late on when only beaten a neck into second at Hamilton behind Classy Clarets (runs 2:12) on Friday. Jim Goldie's mare is a two-time course winner and she looks well placed to strike. Military Girl is the pick of the remainder.
Return To Unit progressed with each of his three starts last year and is bound to attract support on his first appearance in handicap company. C&D winner Hale End is one to watch, but the one who appeals most is DEGALE. The son of Due Diligence bounced back to form when fading into third in this grade over an extended mile at Nottingham and could capitalise from an unchanged mark.
Roaring Ralph hasn't finished outside the top two in each of his last six outings and should remain competitive, but dual C&D winner KELPIE GREY has slipped to an attractive mark after his sixth at Musselburgh. That was his first start back from a break and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he could get back on the winning trail. Novak is another to keep a close eye on.
Habrdi struck the woodwork over C&D earlier this month and is likely to prove popular from an unchanged mark, but it might pay to side with PENSION POT. The lightly-raced four-year-old hasn't performed badly on his two handicap appearances so far but he remains capable of better, and a drop to 7f might work the oracle. Great is also noted.
WOLF OF BADENOCH failed to land quite the gamble at Doncaster last month having been caught too far back, but he's drawn to attack here and can repay those that keep the faith. Glorious Kitty couldn't build on a promising reappearance effort when fifth at Musselburgh but remains of interest, as does Mwafaq, who didn't get the best of trips at Southwell.
Quiet Soul showed plenty on her debut at Southwell and boasts an experience edge over her three rivals but RULER'S PRIDE has an appealing profile, being from a top yard and having cost 550,000gns. He's taken to make a winning debut before heading to Royal Ascot. Crystal Queen makes some appeal also and could easily have a say for good connections.
Classy Clarets has escaped a penalty for his 5f Hamilton win the other day and must go well but there was plenty to like about the return run of SUMMERSTORMS DREAM, who hit the line well when third over C&D two weeks ago and might be capable of earning a breakthrough success here. Stablemate Wee Mary is another to consider with her having been running well over 5f of late and possibly helped here by the return to 6f.
Cisco Disco loves it here, winning four of his last five starts to wrap up last season and it would be no surprise to see him make a winning return and keep the run going with his mark still fair, but the grade-dropping FOOTWORK makes some appeal as, although well beaten at Newmarket on his reappearance, this will be his first try at 10f and he could go well at a price. Pearl Eye was noted putting in his best work late down to 8f here last time and could emerge as pick of the remainder.
This looks pretty competitive. MILITARY GIRL earns a narrow verdict having returned with a pleasing third at Pontefract. She finds herself on a mark 4lb below her last winning one and is just preferred to the the Jim Goldie-trained pair of Thunderstorm Katie and Water Of Leith. The first-named of that pair did well last time despite having reared at the start, while the latter is a former C&D winner who ended up with too much to do at Musselburgh last time.
Hale End has been in fine form this year, winning on his return to turf at Wetherby two starts back and then backing it up with a good second at Thirsk but he lacks the potential of handicap/seasonal debutant RETURN TO UNIT, who was a winner over 1m at Nottingham when last seen in October and starts out from a potentially favourable mark of 80 for his top yard. Garden Oasis is in good form also and this former C&D winner could easily have a say.
Royal Blaze has been running well and likes it here but the drop to 7f could present a problem - he does most of his running over 10-12f. Roaring Ralph has been in red-hot form on the AW and can go well again if carrying the good vibes back over to turf, but it's KELPIE GREY who is the selection. He needed his reappearance run, has been dropped 2lb and likes it here.
The top weight Great has to be respected although whether the step back up to 7f is ideal remains to be seen. Let's take a chance on NATIVE HONEY, who has failed to shine in two starts this season but they've been over 1m and this former C&D winner finds himself only 1lb above his last successful mark. Pension Pot is third choice with his novice efforts entitling him to respect. His handicap form leaves a bit to be desired, though.
Mwafaq came up short in his bid for a four-timer at Southwell but still ran to form and he should again go well from a competitive mark but there was encouragement in the run of WOLF OF BADENOCH at Doncaster last time and this formerly useful sort is taken to strike for the first time since his debut in June 2024. Glorious Kitty is third choice having been running well and still on a competitive mark.
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