led, ridden 2f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, weakened final furlong
held up, smooth headway to chase leaders over 1f out, soon no extra
with leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway and ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon led, ridden out
A number of these are old rivals and, with that in mind, Stoneacre Chris gets the nod over Select Committee and Killer Class. The top weight, Blakeshall Diamond would also have claims on the pick of last year's efforts but his form this term is moderate and he needs to prove he is still interested in the game. Killer Class made a bright start to the 2008 campaign and shot up the ratings as a result. Still, she is holding her form well and has very little to find to get involved in the action. Select Committee was heavily punted at Beverley at the weekend and only just failed to deliver the goods. He is obviously thriving on being kept busy and it has to be of interest that he makes such a quick reappearance. However, Stoneacre Chris is open to more improvement now that she has proved herself on turf and, as she had a little to spare over her rivals on her last visit to Ayr, we take this half-sister to the smart Zafonical Storm to get off the mark today.
Ingleby Star (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Highland Warrior (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f sll (6) sft.
Dalarossie 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Grudge (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Killer Class 4-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cheshire Rose (9-0) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Swindon Town Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Reared in stalls, dived right, settled mid-division, lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 11l behind Pennyspider (8-13) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Select Committee 9-4fav (9-3) Led, driven over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Dubai To Barnsley (8-2) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp (6) sft.
Stoneacre Chris (USA) 8-1 (8-2) Held up, edged right over 3f out, switched left and headway 1f out, ridden near finish, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Cheshire Rose (9-0) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Andrasta 9-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10l behind Cheshire Rose (9-0) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Blakeshall Diamond 33-1 (8-6) Behind, outpaced when hampered over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 17l behind Captain Dunne (8-12) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Foreign Rhythm (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Dubai To Barnsley (8-2) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp (6) sft.
