Thursday 10th October 2024
2.15 Ayr: Patron Tequila Novice Stakes: I’m kicking things off on Thursday at Ayr with the 2.15 which is a Class 5 novice event over a mile. I’ve sided with Last Galileo in this for the team of Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. He was second on his racecourse debut at Redcar last month behind what looked like an impressive winner, and he stayed on in the closing stages giving the impression that this step up in distance should suit. He should build on that run and I think he can go close. Last Galileo – 11/2 (Each-Way)
2.50 Ayr: Tennents Handicap: Next up for me is the 2.50 at Ayr which is a Class 6 handicap that’s contested over a distance of seven furlongs. I like Golden Valour here for Mike Smith and Rhys Elliott who takes off a very handy seven pounds. He was only beaten by three-quarters of a length over course and distance last week and will contest this off the same mark, with the added bonus of the rider’s seven-pound claim coming off. He’s also a couple of pounds lower than his last winning mark, with that success also coming at this track. Golden Valour – 9/1 (Each-Way)
3.10 Bath: British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes: It’s over to Bath now for my third selection of the afternoon and this comes in the 3.10 which is the Listed Beckford Stakes over a mile and six furlongs. I’m with Forest Fairy in this for the all-conquering team of Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. She’s been given a break after finishing last in the Lancashire Oaks back in July, however, the yard’s fillies often show their best form at this time of year. She’s by Waldgeist so she should handle the soft ground as well as the longer trip. Forest Fairy – 7/2 (Win) (NAP)
4.43 Exeter: Budges Farm Handicap Chase: My final selection of the day comes from Exeter and in the 4.43 which is a Class 5 handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Fakir in this particular contest for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard. He’s not shown a great deal for quite a while now, however, this is just his second start for this yard and he’s now twenty-eight pounds lower than his last winning mark over fences. A bad mistake put pay to his chances last time so with a clearer round here he’s got every chance of featuring if that latest run has blown the cobwebs away. Fakir – 11/2 (Each-Way)
