Dark horses for tomorrow's big handicap sprints at Ayr....

Friday, 16th September 2022

Dark horses for tomorrow’s big handicap sprints at Ayr….

I’m two against the field in tomorrow’s Gold Cup at Ayr (3.40)….

First up – and the NAP for those of you who like to back one selection per race – is MOTAGALLY at the general 16s & 14s….

Note: If you’re backing him e/w – Sky Bet are paying out 7 places with multiple firms paying out on 6….

He was 4th in the race last year off a mark of 98 – racing for Charlie Hills. This time around he races for Scott Dixon off a mark of 94 after a very light campaign that suggests this might well be the seasonal target….

He got well beaten on seasonal debut at Beverley in the Listed-class Bullet last month. I’m not too sure much was expected with the blinkers left off….

Last time – in last week’s Portland at Doncaster with the headgear back on – the 6yo produced an improved performance to finish 5th of 19 beaten 3.25 lengths on ground that would have been soft enough….

The ground is drying out at Ayr – which is very much in his favour. He’s got a nice starting slot – on the high wing of the draw. And he’ll be a fresher prospect than most tomorrow afternoon….

Connections paid 58,000 guineas to buy this horse from Shadwell. He was – rated 102 at the start of last season and is clearly handicapped to land a big pot and repay that faith….

Scott Dixon is in decent form and he’s got a knack with stale sprinters inherited from other yards. Motagally is a nice price….

My other pick is ZARZYNI at the general 20s….

He’s been consistent in newly-applied cheekpieces all season – whilst not being over-raced….

He won a decent pot at Musselburgh over 5f in April – going up 5lbs to 104 for his trouble. He ran a good race in a G3 over 5f next time at Newmarket – before being given a break….

He returned in July in the Betfred at Ascot where he ran a cracker to finish 3rd of 20 and beaten just 1.5 lengths – producing a personal best on the RPR scale….

Last time at York it simply didn’t happen. He was slow away on the wrong side, always out the back, and never got a sniff of getting into the race. It happens. But more was expected. He was sent of 3rd favourite off the 22 runners….

I can forgive that last run – no problem. And I like this step up to the 6f. He’s been finishing off his races over the shorter trips as though a return to further will suit. He’ll enjoy having horses to run at late on and he can run a big one at the price….

• In the Silver Cup....

I’m two-against-the-field in the Silver Cup too – at 2.30….

My NAP would be DEVIL’S ANGEL whose been in the form of his life over the past few weeks – winning at Haydock at a big price and then running a big race at Sandown last time….

That last one was over 5f and he was going as well as anything at the death. He stays 6f and the stiff finish at Sandown (where’s he’s won at the 5f trip twice) very much plays to his strengths….

But even so – had that race been over tomorrow’s trip it is perfectly conceivable that Jedd O’Keefe’s charge would have won again….

This horse has had his issues. That cannot be denied. He can get upset in the stalls and he can be awkward getting out of them – which clearly won’t help his cause….

But there’s a lot to like about the way he’s going about his business at the moment and – if he can break well tomorrow afternoon – the general 16s is a nice price about him….

Note: If you’re backing him e/w – Sky Bet are paying out 7 places with multiple firms paying out on 6 places….

The other one I’m going to chance at the generals 14s is Richard Fahey’s VINTAGE CLARETS….

He’s had all sorts of problems since placing in the Coventry as a juvenile. Last season he was hampered by a high testicle. This term – with that removed – he was well below par in each of his first four runs….

But he’s been gelded and last time at Windsor – dropped in class and racing over 5f – he battled well to prevail by a short head. And he might have need it after being off for almost three months….

He carries a 5lb penalty tomorrow – which coincides with the amount the handicapper has raised him for the win – and he’s still a full stone below his career-high mark….

Of course, he might never get back to that level. That’s always a possibility. But he could also be very well handicapped horse if Richard Fahey’s got him back where he wants him….

Oisin Orr rides the horse for the first time. And what better way to make acquaintance than by winning a Silver Cup for a trainer whose targeted this trilogy of big sprint handicaps at Ayr more effectively than any other handler over the years?

I’m taking some chances with this horse – for sure. But that’s the name of the game. If the price is there – I’m happy to swing that bat at it….

• The final word….

That’s all for today. Back next time. Stay tuned….

Meantime – put the kettle on and enjoy the racing….

Against the Crowd