Racecards
14:10 Ayr
Irvine Herald Median Auction Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 7f 50y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
made all, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out
Heywood
11- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Tony Culhane
held up in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
chased winner until weakened over 2f out
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J R Weymes
- Jockey P Hanagan
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one-paced and no impression final furlong
Salto Chico
15- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey D Allan
pushed along behind and outpaced, never dangerous
- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Paul Eddery
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer M G Quinlan
- Jockey T P Queally
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner
In depth
Verdict
It is hard to choose between Frosty Night, Heywood, Meridian Grey, Karma Llama and Musical Land in the opener, with the vote given to Frosty Night. Group 1 entry Frosty Night showed enough in a run-of-the-mill maiden at Sandown to be afforded plenty of respect here and he can go well from his in-form stable. Much as Heywood was well beaten on his debut, he missed the kick there after being nibbled at in the betting. Don't be surprised by a better effort today. The same, though, can be said of Meridian Grey following his satisfactory Thirsk debut effort. Karma Llama and Musical Land were not separated by much on their Musselburgh debuts and are also both open to improvement, while Steam Cuisine cannot be ruled out based on breeding, but Salto Chico would be hard to fancy. Finally, even though Chookie Hamilton is not entirely without claims, the overall vote goes to Frosty Night, although the betting should be watched with interest.
Formwatch
Chookie Hamilton Compton Place gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Chookie Windsor.
Frosty Night (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Raincoat (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Heywood 13-2 (9-3) Slowly away, outpaced, 10th of 13, 12l behind Sanbuch (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Jun.
Meridian Grey (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Dwelt and soon mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Jane of Arc (8-12) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Musical Land (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 2l behind Ingleby Princess (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f 2yo nov stk (5) frm in Jun.
Salto Chico 28-1 (9-3) In rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 12l behind Silent Waves (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Karma Llama (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Ingleby Princess (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f 2yo nov stk (5) frm in Jun.
Steam Cuisine Mark of Esteem filly out of 7f winner Sauce Tartar.