Racecards
15:55 Ayr
Jim Smith QFSM, 57, Retirement Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Winner: £3,252
- 2nd: £955
- 3rd: £478
- 4th: £238
- Form 13F-75P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer A M Thomson
- Jockey C I Gillies
chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden before 3 out, no impression
- Form R11-32P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
mid-division, chased winner from 8th, no impression from 4 out
- Form P27F1-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey G Lee
held up towards rear, hit 4th, headway approaching 9th, ridden before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form 43F-639
- Age 10
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey A L Voy
made all, jumped well, clear from 4 out, eased flat
- Form 012P-24
- Age 10
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
in rear and pushed along, reminders before 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
- Form 43P-PP6
- Age 10
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey Ryan Mania
held up in touch, pushed along and weakened before 9th
- Form 4P61/U-4
- Age 12
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey P Aspell
chased winner, pushed along after 8th, soon lost place
In depth
Verdict
Blazing Diva, Bear Dancing and SEVEN IS LUCKY were all pulled up last time but at least Jim Goldie's nine-year-old had a legitimate excuse as that was his first run since battling to victory in the Carlisle mud last April. Conditions are likely to be similar here and a return to winning ways is a distinct possibility. Garleton will also enjoy the ground and is 8lb lower than when winning at Kelso early last season. Seeking Power is probably the other one to note, despite failing to justify favouritism at Newcastle last time. He wears a visor for the first time today and was narrowly beaten off this mark around this time last year.
Formwatch
Blazing Diva (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) With leader, led before and mistake 10th, reminders and headed soon after, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Work Boy (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Bear Dancing (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) In touch, dropped to mid-division 3rd, lost place and behind 7th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by The Red Laird (11-5) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear on outer, weakened from 11th, pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Festival King (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Garleton (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Always behind, reminders after 9th, blundered 6 out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, well behind Festival King (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Seeking Power (IRE) 9-2fav (10-10) Held up in touch, towards rear when blundered 3rd, pushed along and reminders approaching 8th, jumped slowly next, weakened before 10th, went poor 4th approaching last, 4th of 8, 29l behind Star Player (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Waterski 14-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, jumped slow 5th, soon lost place and towards rear, reminders after 8th, weakened from 11th, 6th of 8, well behind Patman Du Charmil (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Skenfrith 20-1 (10-2) Led to 3rd, in touch, weakened from 13th, never dangerous, 4th of 7, well behind Star Player (11-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.