Andy Ayres with more names for your notebook
Andrew Ayres opens his notebook for more runners to follow
ROYALASCOTJUNE19 (GOOD-FIRM) 6f Group 2 two-year-olds (Class 1) Cracking renewal of a top class contest
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (Aidan O’Brien) is a magnificent looking colt and was the pick of a classy paddock. Held-up off the pace, he burst into contention at the furlong pole before faltering and running home third. He could be slightly better than demonstrated here – Ryan Moore effectively asked him to quicken twice - and can win a Group 1 this term.
ROYALASCOTJUNE20 (GOOD-FIRM) 1m Handicap (Class 2) Red-hot event
FLAMING SPEAR (Dean Ivory) looked in great shape on his debut for Dean Ivory and ran a nailer to finish fifth. Indeed, granted a more favourable draw – he was first home on the far-side – the lightly raced six-year-old would have gone close. There’s a big race in him and any ease in the ground would be a plus.
ROYALASCOTJUNE22 (GOOD-FIRM) 1m three-year-old fillies Group 1 (Class 1) Impressive winner
ALPHA CENTAURI (Mrs John Harring- ton) looked a size bigger than her rivals and is a hugely imposing filly. She laughed at her opposition in the straight and was even more impressive when bolting-up at Newmarket’s July Meeting. This is the best miler of either sex racing in Europe and it will take something special to lower her colours.
KEMP TON JUNE 27( STANDARD) 6f two-year-old novice (Class 4) Ordinary form
REQUITED (Hughie Morrison) showed little on his debut at Newbury and still looked green here. He was keen through the early stages, but got into the race quite smoothly before being eased home in fifth under an educational ride from Liam Keniry. He’s qualified for nurseries now and can pick-up a race this summer.
7f fillies handicap (Class 5) Competitive low grade event
POYLE CHARLOTTE (Ralph Beckett) is an attractive filly who was well bet on this handicap debut. Her chance was seriously compromised at the start - she reared as the stalls opened - and the filly did well to recover and snatch second. She went on to win narrowly at Doncaster a fortnight later and has the scope to improve again.
1m3f handicap (Class 4) Fair race
DAWN CHOIR (Roger Charlton) boasted fair form in Ireland before joining the Charlton yard for 110,000gns last autumn. She looked in need of the outing on this return from a 281-day break and was uneasy in the betting. That didn’t prevent her performing creditably in fifth and there will be more to come granted a stiffer test of stamina. She’s sure to improve and is one to keep an eye on.
WINDSOR JUNE 30( GOOD-FIRM) 6f two-year-old novice (Class 5) Impressive winner
MASARU (Richard Hannon) looked in good shape for this debut and ran out an impressive winner. He may have been flattered by racing hard on the stands’ rail, but could hardly have won this in better style. Connections are looking for another novice event before stepping up in class and he might be Group class.
KEMP TON JULY 4( STANDARD) 7f two-year-old fillies novice (Class 5) Decent form
PENNYWHISTLE (John Gosden) is a scopey filly – certainly bigger than the average first foal – and was a big eyecatcher in third. Her effort can be marked up as she was forced wide from a poor draw and it will take a fair sort to
beat her next time.
1m3f fillies novice (Class 3) Interesting race
PILASTER (Roger Varian) was heavily backed and looked on top of her game. Her supporters never had any cause for concern as the filly was always travelling best and came readily clear to win by 6l. She looks Listed/Group class judged on this and will hold her own in decent company.
NEW BURY JULY 5( GOOD-FIRM) 6f two-year-old fillies novice (Class 4) Above average race
POSTED (Richard Hannon) is a useful looking filly and bred to stay well beyond this trip (she’s a half-sister to a couple of middle-distance winners). She kept on strongly to chase home the highly rated Scintilating and is certain to win races.
WINTER GLEAM (William Knight) has plenty of size and scope and showed ability before getting tired. She may need another run or two before being made properly fit, but is one to keep an eye on in the long term.
SAN DOWN JULY 6( GOOD-FIRM) 7f two-year-old novice (Class 4) Race that will produce winners
FOX TAL (Andrew Balding) cost a fortune (475,000gns) and really does look the part. Slowly away and green, he spent most of the race looking anywhere but forward and shaped with huge promise in third. He’ll improve mentally and physically for this and is above average.
ALRAJAA (John Gosden) was last turning for home and extremely green in the straight. Jim Crowley did a good job of looking after him and a fourth place finish massively underestimates his potential. This strapping individual hails from a decent family – half-brother to a couple of smart milers – and looks a decent prospect.
WINDSOR JULY 9( GOOD-FIRM) 6f two-year-old novice (Class 5) Ordinary form
INDIAN HORSEMAN (Joseph Tuite) is bred for speed but, like most from this yard, wasn’t wound-up for his debut. He travelled well for an inexperienced horse and kept on steadily to finish third behind a couple of experienced opponents. He’ll strip fitter for this and should pick-up a small race.
1m handicap (Class 4) Muddling four-runner race
QUALITY SEEKER (Ed Walker) caught the eye a couple of times in the spring and looked in outstanding condition on this return from a 12-week break. He was green under pressure, but knuckled down well from the furlong pole to scrape home in three-way photo. There’s more to come from this attractive colt and he can follow-up.
EPSOMJULY12(GOOD-FIRM) 1m113y handicap (Class 4) Meeting run on heavily watered ground
CORAZON ESPINADO (Simon Dow) looked in rude health but raced too keenly and changed his legs repeatedly in the straight. He didn’t look at all comfortable on the loose, watered surface and was all at sea from the furlong pole. This enthusiastic colt remains on a handy mark and should win another ordinary handicap.
ASCOTJULY13(GOOD-FIRM) 6f two-year-old novice (Class 3) Above average event
GAMBON (Eve Johnson Houghton) is bred to stay beyond this trip – dam won over 1m4f – and looked to be carrying plenty of condition for this debut. He showed surprising pace to hold his position and did well to finish third after being hampered twice by Dirty Rascal (subsequently disqualified). The Johnson Houghton juveniles invariably improve for an outing and he could be useful.
6f two-year-old nursery (Class 3) Competitive race
SEMOUM (George Peckham) was considered for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and was heavily supported near the off in this much softer race. He was delivered at exactly the right moment by Luke Morris and held on to win a shade more decisively than the official margin (a head) suggests. He couldn’t have looked in better shape and hasn’t finished winning yet.
ASCOTJULY14(GOOD-FIRM) 7f two-year-old novice (Class 4) Weak race for the track
HIERONYMOUS (Seamus Durack) is a strapping individual who had shown plenty of promise in fair company on his first two starts. He repeated that here, finishing fourth after looking set to go close at the furlong pole. He’s ready for nurseries now and should be placed to advantage.
1m2f handicap (Class 3) Hot race
ELWAZIR (Owen Burrows) is a big, rangy colt who looks as if he’ll improve for some time. He was bet as if defeat were out of the question and readily saw off the previously untested Extra Elusive. Connections see him as a smart long-term prospect and are eyeing the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock next. He’s still unexposed and one to follow closely.