PADDOCK PICKS

Andrew Ayres reveals eye-catching additions to his notebook

SANDOWN July 23 (good-firm) 1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 3)

ABOVE AVERAGE EVENT

AMIR KABIR (Roger Charlton) is a big, handsome colt who was stepping up in class after bagging a weaker event at Wolverhampton. He was forced to race wide from a tricky draw but stuck on gamely up the straight to finish third. The trip looked ideal and he’s nailed on to win another race or two for his shrewd yard.

7f two-year-old maiden (Class 5)

RACE THAT SHOULD PRODUCE WINNERS

FLYIN’ HIGH (Andrew Balding) is a good-looking colt from a top-class family (half-brother to the Group 1 winner Izzi Top). He ran green as a cabbage patch for most of the race but came home best of all to finish an eye-catching fourth. There’s much more to come from this scopey colt and he’s one to follow.

7f two-year-old novice (Class 5)

FAIR FORM

SHOULDERING (David Menuisier) looks the part and did well to win after being stuck-fast on the rail until the furlong pole. He quickened sharply once out in the clear and was good value for his winning margin. He’s been allotted a mark of 83 and could be well treated.

1m6f three-year-old handicap (Class 3)

COMPETITIVE EVENT

POSTILEO (Roger Varian) cost 500,000gns and was the least experienced member of the field. That lack of nous was evident for much of the contest, but there was plenty to like about the way he came home to finish third. He’ll stay 2m and should have a profitable autumn.

GOODWOOD July 28 (good, good-soft in places) 7f two-year-old Group 2 (Class 1)

IMPRESSIVE WINNER

BATTLEGROUND (Aidan O’Brien) already looks like a three-year-old and had this won two-out. He’s going to stay further, will be hard to beat this season and the 8-1 available for next year’s 2,000 Guineas could be reasonable.

6f two-year-old colts & geldings (Class 2)

ABOVE AVERAGE RACE

TAWLEED (John Gosden) is bred to be speedy and was nibbled at in the betting on this debut (14-1 to 10s). He didn’t let his supporters down either, travelling strongly from the off and keeping on well to finish a clear second behind the classy Alkumait. Tawleed looks the part and is above average.

GOODWOOD July 29 (good) 1m4f three-year-old handicap (Class 2)

COMPETITIVE EVENT

A STAR ABOVE (William Haggas) came into this on a roll and might have completed a hat-trick but for being hemmed-in when the pace lifted. He’s improving physically and is nailed on to win a valuable handicap this autumn.

GOODWOOD July 30 (good, good-firm in places)

1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 2)

FAIR FORM

STARCAT (Hughie Morrison) looked fit as a butchers’ dog but never really had a cut at this after being short of room for much of the straight. He gives the impression 1m1f might be his optimum trip and is the sort to win a valuable handicap in the weeks ahead.

GOODWOOD July 31 (goodfirm) 6f two-year-old fillies maiden (Class 4)

MESSY RACE

FIRST LOTT (Tom Dascombe) was easy to back and lost all chance after fluffing the start. There was plenty of promise in the way the filly rattled home to finish fifth though, and she’s clearly got ability. A step-up in trip will help – her sister won over a mile – and an ordinary maiden is there for the taking.

SANDOWN August 2 (good) 7f two-year-old maiden (Class 5)

FRONT TWO PULLED CLEAR

KING VEGA (Andrew Balding) cost 350,000gns and attracted plenty of support. He moved like a smart horse from the off and came home clear second best behind the more experienced winner Yibir. This duo finished miles ahead of the peloton and

King Vega looks an above average prospect. Follow him closely.

WINDSOR August 3 (goodfirm) 1m3f110y three-year-old handicap (Class 6)

MODEST EVENT

PRINCE ALEX (Ralph Beckett) was an expensive purchase (220,000gns) and proved popular in the betting prior to this handicap debut (9-2 to 100-30). He looked green under pressure but finished strongly once the penny dropped and got up close home. This wasn’t much of a race, but he’s got plenty of scope and will win again.

LINGFIELD August 4 (standard to slow) 1m2f maiden (Class 5)

RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS

GOLDEN RULES (John Gosden) hails from a classy family – dam is a sister to the Group 1 winner Magic Wand – and was quietly backed on this belated debut (7-1 to 4s). He proved far too green to give his supporters a shout but was a huge eye-catcher finishing fourth. He’ll improve mentally and physically for this and will win a decent race.

1m2f maiden (Class 5)

IMPRESSIVE WINNER

FAISAL (John Gosden) is a real monster and produced a whirlwind finish to make an impressive winning debut. There are mixed messages in his pedigree, but he should stay 1m4f and promises to make into a Listed/Group horse. Keep on the right side of this king-sized colt.

LINGFIELD August 5 (standard to slow) 6f two-year-old nursery (Class 6)

MESSY RACE

PUBLICIST (James Tate) looked well treated but had a bad day at the office. She missed the kick, was forced wide and didn’t look entirely happy on the track either. All things considered, she did well to finish third and compensation awaits over 7f on a more conventional track.

ASCOT August 8 (good-firm) 2m handicap (Class 2)

ABOVE AVERAGE EVENT AUSTRALIS (Roger Varian) looked fit after a short break but couldn’t find a second wind after being messed about turning for home. He’s better than his finishing position (fifth) suggests and will be worth supporting when returned to the allweather.

LINGFIELD August 11 (standard to slow) 7f handicap (Class 6)

MODEST FORM

SIR HAMILTON (Joseph Parr) is thrown-in on his best form and looked in good shape. He ran a cracker to finish second after being bumped at the start and it won’t be long before he’s winning a similar event for his promising rookie trainer.

KEMPTON August 12 (standard to slow) 1m three-year-old handicap (Class 5)

ORDINARY FARE

ASCRAEUS (Andrew Balding) looked in good order but was held in a pocket when the pace quickened and did well to finish second. He should stay 1m2f and can pinch another low-grade handicap this term.

LINGFIELD August 14 (standard to slow. Turf: good-firm) 1m4f three-year-old handicap (Class 6)

MUDDLING EVENT

PEARL BEACH (William Knight) got a tad warm in the prelims but was still sent off a short-priced favourite. He should have rewarded that support but was given a poor tactical ride by Tom Queally and finished third. He travels better than a Class 6 horse and will win again.

7f110y handicap (Class 5)

RUN-OF-THE-MILL CONTEST

ROCK ICON (Chelsea Banham) was fit on this debut for a clever yard. He drifted in the betting and was buried at the back of the pack before rattling home to finish third under a hands-and-heels ride. This tough gelding is thrown-in on his best form and will be interesting when the market speaks in his favour.

NEWBURY August 15 (goodsoft)

6f two-year-old fillies’ novice (Class 5)

ORDINARY RACE FOR THE TRACK

ZWELELA (Richard Hannon) was hammered near the off (9-2 to 9-4) and impressed on the way to post. She travelled like a dream from the off before going down narrowly to the race-sharp Deise Blue. This filly is bred to stay a mile but isn’t short of pace and will be hard to beat next time.

6f two-year-old fillies’ novice (Class 5)

ABOVE AVERAGE RACE

MISHAL STAR (Tom Ward) looked backward and was completely unfancied. She had a mountain to climb after flopping out of the stalls but ran on well to nab fourth spot once the penny dropped. Her young trainer has already won plenty of admirers and she will be winning soon.

NEWBURY August 16 (soft) 1m2f novice (Class 5)

HOT CONTEST

DAYSAN (Owen Burrows) looks as if he’s needed time to develop but ran a race full of promise to finish third behind a couple of previous winners. He was handled with kid gloves here and is one to follow closely.