Racecards
15:55 Ayr
Smirnoff Vodka Handicap (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 17
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Darley
behind, soon pushed along, tailed off over 4f out
- Form 734-81
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey S Sanders
soon led, clear over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
- Form 2037-61
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
Chronomatic
19- Form 5403-25
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey D Holland
mid-division, pushed along, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
- Form 2422-82
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Tony Culhane
soon tracking leaders, weakened over 3f out
- Form 914413-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 71
always towards rear, soon struggling
- Form 357-450
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer K R Burke
- Jockey P Cosgrave
led early, tracked leader, lost place over 4f out
- Form 6193
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
soon chasing leader until lost place over 4f out, tailed off
- Form 0550-0
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey Dale Gibson
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
- Form 70-4046
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 66
chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, ridden well over 2f out, led entering final furlong, soon clear
In depth
Verdict
Mark Prescott horses should always be followed when they cross the Scottish border so Secret Liaison can add to his recent course and distance success once more at the expense of Zaharath Al Bustan, Chronomatic and Kings Revenge. The selection ran a personal best here last time out when getting the better of Prince Egor by three quarters of a length. He looked to have come on for his seasonal debut and more is still to come. Zaharath Al Bustin has been unlucky not to have won as he has finished second now four out of his six starts and is fast becoming frustrating. Chronomatic was slightly disappointing in better company at Goodwood last time out and is better judged on his second behind Estigraar at Redcar the time before. While Kings Revenge was in winning form at Wolverhamton last time out but more is needed here so for the winner we return to Secret Liaision.
Formwatch
Lucky Lark 6-4fav (9-4) Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, hampered and not much room over 2f out, not recover, 7th of 10, 27l behind Gracechurch (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Secret Liaison 2-1jt-fav (8-12) Tracked leader, headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Ayr 1m mdn aut stk (4) gd beating Prince Egor (8-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
King's Revenge 6-5fav (9-3) Rear, headway on outer well over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol beating Empire Dancer (8-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Chronomatic 14-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, close up, ridden on inside when not much room briefly over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Illustrious Blue (9-3) at Goodwood 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Zaharath Al Bustan 7-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace after, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Baizically (8-10) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf.
Shaydreambeliever 3-1jt-fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Quince (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Hill of Almhuim (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, driven 4f out, soon struggling, last of 10, 19l behind Ingratitude (9-4) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Ransom Strip (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Bedouin Blue (8-11) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.