Ayr - Thu 17 Sep 2026
BASSRAH has shaped as if she can win races and can put the experience of her three previous starts to good use, with this representing a drop in class. Perfect Heir and Zarak Crown are entitled to be wiser after their respective debuts, although both were well beaten and steps forward are required. With that in mind, Shared Odyssey, who is a half-brother to the Group-placed Sparkling Sea, won't need to be out of the ordinary to be the biggest danger.
Jim Goldie saddles three in his bid to continue his recent domination of this contest - ORIENTAL PRINCE, who carries a 5lb penalty for winning at York, surprise Hamilton scorer Thistle Nil and Thunderstorm Katie. The first-named gets the vote as he drops in grade after that recent success. Great Profit is an improving type who ran with plenty of credit after a 7lb rise when third at Newcastle and is expected to be in the mix.
DARZAH has the potential for further improvement and gets the vote to gain a third career success. The manner of her recent second over a mile at Pontefract suggested she would have no problem stepping up in trip and William Haggas' filly can prove too strong for Valley Of Flowers, who drops in distance after her latest victory at Beverley. Krissy and Sweet Kiss head the remainder.
Dain Ma Nut In would have every chance of going close if repeating the level of his second at Thirsk, but TIERNAN is preferred. The four-year-old got off the mark at Hamilton at the start of last month and arrives following a brace of consistent handicap efforts over 1m4f. The drop back in trip shouldn't do him any harm after his second at Kempton. Galyx went up 5lb for his Beverley win and would appreciate any rain, while the consistent Impartiality heads the remainder.
TARMONBARRY KID is on an upward curve having won two of his last three outings and the Faheys' gelding, who seems to benefit from cut in the ground, can handle a 4lb rise for his most recent success at Beverley. Sanafi Zabeel caught the eye here over 7f prior to scoring at Hamilton and he is expected to bounce back from his subsequent defeat when sent off favourite at Carlisle. Others to consider are Second Fiddle and Havana Touch.
Barley returned to winning ways at Carlisle last week and holds an obvious chance in his attempt to follow up, but the vote goes to STARLINER. Linda Perratt's gelding justified favouritism by half a length over this trip at Newcastle and as long as the five-year-old transfers that form back to turf, he will prove hard to beat. Trinculo is another to consider.
ICE CUBE wasn't able to supplement his Epsom success when finishing fourth over the same C&D, but that was still a creditable effort and he could bounce straight back. Vince Le Prince hasn't recorded a victory since 2024 but has dropped to an attractive mark for the Tim Easterby team, while Jkr Cobbler won over track and trip two starts ago and is another to watch out for.
Elsass showed more when making the frame over 1m4f at Kempton earlier in the month and the extra furlong might bring about some improvement. Even so, SPIRIT OF ACKLAM looks the way to go. The son of Cracksman won at Hamilton in July when last seen over this trip and goes off the same rating. Golden West holds an obvious chance too.
Bassrah has improved on each start to date and sets the standard on her latest midfield effort in a better race which has been boosted. She is respected but Andrew Balding's horses tend to make significant improvement on their second starts and PERFECT HEIR should be no different. He showed plenty of greenness early on debut but rallied strongly late over 7f suggesting that there would be much more to come over this longer trip. Zarak Crown also finished well first time out and although he may want even further in time he could stay on for a place here.
An open race where last time out big field winner Oriental Prince is likely to prove popular under a penalty. He is the stable first string on jockey bookings and remains very well treated on his best form so holds obvious claims. However he may find THE CALTONIAN equally well handicapped as he has been running well on turf recently. He races off a much lower mark than he does on the AW and his jockey booking suggests a big run is expected. Course winner Thistle Nil will find this a sharp enough test but he's the least exposed in the field and still looks ahead of his mark despite a 3lb rise. He will be a huge threat if some more rain arrives.
DARZAH is strongly fancied here. Though her best form so far has come on fast ground she is bred to handle this softer surface and looks well treated racing off the same mark as when runner up last time. The way she finished off her race that day suggested this longer trip will suit and she is by far the least exposed in this line up. Veteran Valley Of Flowers has never won off a mark this high but arrives in career best form and may provide the biggest challenge. The consistent Sweet Kiss probably made her move too soon last time and should also give a good account.
FINANCER took this a couple of years ago off 1lb lower and has returned to close to his best recently. He has proven himself versatile ground wise and his penultimate runner up effort has worked out well so he looks the solid option. Veteran Have Secret returned to form at York last time where he was given plenty to do. This looks a much weaker contest and if the ground stays on the soft side he can prove the biggest threat. The consistent Impartiality has become a touch frustrating recently but he was a touch unlucky last time when meeting trouble at a sharp track. If getting a clear run he is also expected to be bang there.
TARMONBARRY KID can continue his progression and defy a 4lb rise. The form of his recent wins has been franked and he will be suited by the cut in the ground once again. Perhaps the most interesting opponent is Orangesandlemons who has been inconsistent this term but will appreciate the drop back to 1m having failed to stay 10f last time. She looks well treated on her reappearance run and could prove the biggest danger ahead of the steadily progressive Havana Touch. That rival was a touch unlucky on his follow up attempt last time as he met trouble when closing.
YOU SEXY THING's only victory came in a nursery over 7f last year but he has been running back into form this term and shaped as if in need of another try at 1m last time. This easier ground should suit and he can take advantage of a slight drop in the weights at the expense of Mandarin Spirit who proved consistent until her latest outing. She was too keen and failed to stay 10f that day but can bounce back down in distance. Veteran Barley snapped a long losing run last time and remains well treated on his best form so isn't ruled out either.
ICE CUBE was far from disgraced on his follow up attempt last time where he looked in need of this step back up in trip. The easier ground will be no issue and racing off the same mark he can defeat recent C&D winner Jkr Cobbler who found the ground too quick last time. He will be much happier on this surface and can fill the podium with Blufferonthebus whose last run is worth ignoring as she took a false step. She has dropped a fair way in the weights and should be suited by conditions here.
Course winner SPIRIT OF ACKLAM has been in good form of late and looked in need of this step back up in trip last time. On these revised terms he can reverse last time out form with High Point. Pearl Eye is often let down by slow starts but he finished well in a stronger contest last time and is on a good mark based on his summer course victory. He can throw down a big challenge along with soft ground lover Moon Over Miami who bounced back to form with a game effort from the front last time.
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