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16:20 Ayr

West Sound 25th Birthday Handicap (Class 3)

  • 4 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 5f 13y
  • Going: Soft, Heavy in places
  • Surface: Turf
  • £15,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 3m 12.14s
  • Off Time: 16:20:12
  • 4 Ran
2(2)
Silk - Red and Yellow (halved), White cap
  • Form 106224
  • Age 4
  • Weight 9-8
  • Official Rating 84

chased winner until 4f out, weakened 2f out

3(3)
Silk - Maroon and White diamonds, Maroon cap, White diamond
  • Form 481-420
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-11
  • Official Rating 82

made all, ridden, under pressure over 2f out, held on gamely

4(1)
Silk - Light Blue, Royal Blue sleeves and cap
  • Form 225247
  • Age 5
  • Weight 8-10
  • Official Rating 72

in rear, ridden over 3f out, chased leading pair from over 1f out, no impression

5(5)
Silk - Black, Royal Blue spots, Black sleeves and cap
  • Form 532364
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-9
  • Official Rating 65

chased leaders, chased winner 4f out, ridden, edged left from over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, just held

1(4)
NR
  • Form 4-35874
  • Age 4
  • Weight 9-9
  • Official Rating 85

Nonrunner

In depth

Verdict

This poor contest should be well within the scope of Velvet Heights, with Charlotte Vale, Reluctant Suitor and the rest not likely to offer much resistance. Velvet Heights has struggled to get his head in front again since scoring on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton in April, but the balance of his overall form still gives John Dunlop's charge the edge here. The son of Barathea only found Prins Willem a head too good, also at Kempton in July, and ran a fine second to Establishment at Chester next time. In addition, the form of his fourth behind Hawridge Prince at Nottingham last time has been well franked by the latter's superb success in Listed company at Ascot over the weekend, and there is nothing to match that here. Charlotte Vale is a pretty consistent staying sort, but returns from a break and will no doubt be going back over hurdles, while Reluctant Suitor has a small chance on a line through Trance, but surely needs to find another gear. Heart Of Svetlana will revel in the going but makes her British debut here and is passed over as well, with preference much for Velvet Heights.

Formwatch

Velvet Heights (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 6, 5l behind Hawridge Prince (10-0) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.

Heart Of Svetlana (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed early straight, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 9l behind Nick's Nikita (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 0-100 gd in Jul.

Charlotte Vale 25-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) gd in Jun.

Reluctant Suitor 7-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Linden Lime (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.

Swordsman (GER) 20-1 (9-6) Held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 16, 2l behind Tees Components (10-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.