towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon led, kept on well
tracked leaders, prominent halfway, led over 3f out, soon ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on after
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Firozi and Analyze are two consistent sorts and deserve to win a race of this nature but preference is for Ipledgeallegiance, who has slipped to an attractive mark and should be suited by the return to today's distance. The selection ended a long losing sequence on the flat (and over hurdles) when landing a handicap here over 1m3f in June. Although beaten in all six starts since then, David Chapman's gelding has run well in defeat in races over this sort of trip but has run below par when upped to 1m4f. Able to race off a 1lb lower mark than when successful here in June, the son of Alleged is worth a bet to take advantage of his lenient rating. Top weight Analyze does not know how to run a bad race and should be thereabouts again but probably needs more help from the handicapper. A bigger threat to the selection may come from Richard Fahey's Firozi, who has found one too good in each of her last two starts, latterly in a handicap over a mile at Carlisle. However, she is not certain to stay this trip. The Michael Dods-trained Rotuma does stay but seems plenty high enough in the weights at present, while Border Terrier who is well enough treated may need the run after a near four-month break. All in all this looks to provide a suitable opportunity to provide Ipledgeallegiance another Ayr win.
