Ayr, Catterick and Great Leighs

Low level flat racing this afternoon at three meetings - Ayr, Catterick and Great Leighs (all-weather), but with some large fields everywhere and some very open betting heats. The two class3 handicaps at Great Leighs and the best races and both look very difficult. There are 15 declared in the 6 furlongs race for 3yo´s at 16.30 CET and the interesting one here is Onceuponatime, the mount of Ryan Moore, who landed a double here yesterday. He is having his first run for Ed Dunlop, having finished lame last time, but he looked quite useful in the spring. Wise Melody (Willie Haggas/ Liam Jones), a good third at Newmarket recently, and consistent Spartan Duke (Kevin Ryan/ Richard Mullen) look the most likely dangers. The mile handicap an hour later features Riggins (Liuca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill), who won his only career start back inApril 2007 and has not been seen out since he could be anything.

The only 3yo in the field is Henry Cecil´s lightly-raced Diamond Yas (Ted Durcan) and he looks very dangerous off bottom weight, while top-weight Golden Desert (Terry Mills/ Jack Mitchell) is consistent and last time out won a valuable ladies race at Ascot on King George day. At Catterick the 7yo mare Let it be (Keith Revely/ Colin Gillies) can defy top weight and complete a four-timer in the 2 miles handicap at 16.20. The improving Tartan Gigha (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) can take the 7 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s half an hour later, although consistent Dream Express (Michael Dods/ Jamie Moriarty) should also be thereabouts. The mile handicap at 16.40 at Ayr can also go to the top-weight Spinning (David Barron/ Neil Brown), although Alexander Hurricane (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) and Handsome Prince (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) are to be respected. The 6 furlongs handicap at 17.40 is almost a re-run of a similar race over this CD 18 days ago, which Almost Married (Jim Go ldie/ Daniel Tudhope) beat Imperial Sword (David Barron/ Dean Heslop) and Argentine (Len Lungo/ Dean McKeown), and at the revised weights there should be little between them. As Jim Goldie has declared 3 more runners in this race, it might not be quite that simple.