Sprint races at Ayr

Easily the best race this afternoon in the U.K. is the class 2 handicap over 5 furlongs at 17.30 at Ayr. Like all these sprint handicaps with big fields (in this case 17), this looks very tricky, especially as the effect of the dtraw is unclear as the field may easily split into 2 groups. Three 3yo´s take on their elders and all 3 can be given a chance -Inxile (David and Adrian Nicholls), runner-up to the smart Corrybrough in a listed race at Sandown last time, Alan Berry´s Look Busy (Slade O´Hara), a CD listed winner and last time out fourth in a group race, and Hamish McGonagall (Tim Easterby/ David Allan), who scored nicely at Chester 10 days ago. Of the older horss, most of whom meet regularly in such events, attention should be paid to Whiskey Junction, whom Andrew Balding sends up on the long journey from Hampshire. He has won his last 4 races, all with today´s jockey Liam Keniry. The class 4 handicap over 6 furlongs half an hour earlier is also extremely difficult with 12 runners. Jim Goldie saddles two runners, both very consistent in this grade - John Keats (Daniel Tudhope) and Rothesay Dancer (Kelly Harrison) who beat Dorn Dancer (Derek Barker/ Neil Brown) by half a length over this CD last week; on 8 lbs better terms the latter can now take revenge. There is also racing from Yarmouth, where the 7 races are worth an average of 2500 euros to the winner and the quality is therefore low. However it could be significant that John Gosden sends the well-bred Teeky (Jimmy Fortune) to make her debut here in the 2yo maiden over 7 furlongs at 15.45. The 6 furlongs handicap at 16.45 could go to Quaruma (Jane Chapple-Hyam/ Frankie McDonald), but Gay Kelleways´s pair Punchiung (Hayley Turner), fourth against better opposition at Ascot last time, and course specialist Mugeba (Nicol Polli), who however will only run if it rains.