AYR SATURDAY

2.35 WILLIAM HILL AYR SILVER CUP (6F)

The Ayr Executive has moved to alleviate the draw bias evident at this fixture a year ago, with the stands rail now dolled out by four yards to fence off what was deemed a “golden highway” by some, and while low numbers may be disadvantaged to some degree, the overall effect of the draw ought to be fairer to the majority.

In terms of pace, there isn’t a great deal for a race of this nature, with An Saighdiur and Nameitwhatyoulike likely to take the field along down the centre, and there must be a chance that the race will develop away from the rails, which promises to deliver a more open contest. George Bowen has what might look a tricky draw in 11, but he’s drawn right between the two obvious pace angles, and may well get the run of the race if the jockeys don’t dive to the stands side like so many lemmings. Richard Fahey’s gelding is very progressive at present, and posted a career-best effort when winning at the Curragh last Sunday. The time of that race was very sharp given the conditions, and it appears that the son of Dark Angel has found his niche as a sprinter having been campaigned at seven furlongs earlier in the current campaign.

3.45 WILLIAM HILL AYR GOLD CUP (6F)

I felt that Toofi was very unlucky not to win the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood, and he bounced back from a lesser effort when second to Hoof It at Doncaster last week, again finishing with a rare rattle. He’s clearly well suited by the nature of a big-field handicap, and will get a strong pace to run at here. He’s drawn on what some will consider the wrong side, but I’m not convinced there’s much in the draw this year unlike in 2014, and Roger Varian’s charge is one of the least exposed in the contest.

The selection once again has Hoof It to chase, while Poyle Vinnie also blazes a trail among those drawn in single figures. That should ensure an evenness of pace across the track, with Majestic Moon likely to pull the high numbers along from stall 16. The key to the race will be to what degree the pressers can influence the mid-race pace, as an injection of speed with a couple of furlongs to run would be greatly beneficial to the deep closers, of whom Toofi is a principal player. I’m hopeful of an end-to-end gallop, and that scenario should see Roger Varian’s charge swooping late and fast to play a part in the climax.

Don’t Touch looked a pattern performer in the making when overcoming a positional bias to land the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon, and the unbeaten three-year-old deserves to head the market. He’s the one I fear most by some way, and merits a saver as a result.

4.20 WILLIAM HILL AYRSHIRE HANDICAP (1M)

Brian Ellison was on the scoreboard on the opening day of this fixture, and his handicappers always need a second look at the Western Meeting. He’s represented here by Gerry The Glover, who isn’t the most straightforward of characters (tends to carry his head in an ungainly fashion), but is handicapped to play a major part, and signalled a revival when a close fourth to Sulaalat at Doncaster’s St Leger Meeting, coming from the back in a race which didn’t suit such tactics. He could do with a strong pace if again ridden with such patience, which looks problematical, with only Mutasayyid a confirmed front runner, but the return to a mile will suit, and he’s certainly one to have on side for the closing weeks of the turf season.

NEWBURY SATURDAY

2.50 DUBAI DUTY FREE HANDICAP (1M2F3Y)

It’s been a testing week for Luca Cumani, with the news that he’s lost his major patron, but the Newmarket trainer has overcome such difficulties before, as those who remember the fallout from the Aliysa affair will recall. He won’t be down for long, and looks to have a decent chance of making headlines for the right reasons courtesy of Laurence, who looked a horse with a future when beating Sealife at Beverley last time. The runner-up appeared progressive prior to that, and Laurence did well to come from off the pace in a race run at just a fair pace. He’s unproven on the ground, but as a son of Dubawi, it’s to be hoped that he will cope well enough with conditions.

Cymro and Mange All are selected as dangers, with the former having obvious claims on recent form, and also seeming particularly well suited by soft ground. Mange All hasn’t had the season expected of him after a promising return in the Lincoln, but he’s surely better than he showed at York after a break last month, and may be worth another chance given the excellent impression he created last term.

RECOMMENDED

GEORGE BOWEN 2.35 Ayr - 2pts e/w @ 7/1 (general)

TOOFI 3.45 Ayr - 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (general)

DON’T TOUCH 3.45 Ayr 1pt win @ 7/1 (general)