Listed races at Ayr and Newbury

The Ayr Western Meeting continues today with Ayr still in the U.K. (thank heavens). Main feature is the listed race for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 16.45 CET, which has 15 runners and looks wide open. 4 of them ran last time in a similar race at York, which Mind of Madness (David Brown/ Jamie Spencer) won in a very tight finish. He is penalised for that and not certain to confirm the form and we prefer the filly Al Fareej (James Tate/ Kieren Fallon) who finished a close third. Squats (William Haggas/ Joe Fanning) is an obvious danger. The big betting race here is the Bronze Cup over 6 furlongs at 15.40, the third division of the Gold Cup, which is run tomorrow. With 26 runners this is almost impossible, and several trainers have more than one runner. Richard Fahey and David Nicholls always do well in these races, and we take Galvanize (Royston Ffrench) and Polski Max (Tony Hamilton) from their entries, but basically anthing can happen here. Our best bet here is Longshadow (Jason Ward/ Fallon) in the stayers handicap at 17.20; he has the form and we also like his pedigree- he is a Monsun half-brother to Group One winner Lady Marian.

There is also a listed race at Newbury - over 7 furlongs at 17.40. Absolutely So (Andrew Balding / Oisin Murphy) is our choice here to continue the stable´s good run. Sirius Prospect (Dean Ivory/ Robert Winston) has not run since Royal Ascot but has a Chance on his best form, while Safety Check (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick), who has smart handicap form at this trip, looks the pick of the three-year-olds.

The Listowel meeting continues and today´s main feature for a change is a flat race, the 9 furlongs handicap at 17.10. This is another very tricky race but we shall again stick with the Ttam in form and choose 9yo Rock Critic (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen)