Extra distance expected to suit Elite Icon at Ayr
– Elite Icon does nothing quickly but promises to be best suited to conditions in the William Hill Get The App On Google Play Handicap at Ayr.
The Scottish track on the west coast came in for plenty of criticism after calling off all three days of their Gold Cup meeting recently due to a false patch of ground. This meeting is taking place on the hurdles track, so while the ground is described as soft still, it will at least be fresh.
Elite Icon had looked very limited during his first eight races, but there are not many horses in training that the excellent Iain Jardine will not be able to get a win out of. He stepped the Sixties Icon gelding up in trip to a 2800m, but at halfway even that did not look as if it was going to be
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far enough as he was struggling in the rear.
Stamina came into play close home, though, and he ended up running out a ready winner by three lengths. The step up another 200m promises to suit him even better this time.
Donnachies Girl has been left alone by the handicapper for finishing third to Jardine's Sepal at Hamilton and should run well again in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.
She has been really consistent for Alistair Whillans and even ran well in a couple of bumpers before switching to the Flat. Three wins from 12 efforts reads well and her last run was arguably her best.
She likes the ground, is down in grade and will stay the trip. She should be at least on the premises once more.
James Fanshawe's Symbol has run enough in her two starts to date to be recommended in the 100% Profit Boost At 32Redsport. com Maiden Stakes at Kempton. Fourth on debut behind the smart Serenada in April, she was then off the track until odds-on to open her account last month.
It was disappointing she failed to win, but after four months off the chances are that she probably needed the run and she can be expected to strip a bit fitter here.
Charlie Longsdon's Western Miller is an interesting runner in the Brian Ellison Racing Novices' Chase at Sedgefield. He made a fantastic start over fences when cruising to a 23-length success at Stratford last month, making every yard of the running as he put up an excellent jumping display.
Longsdon has been having plenty of winners, even in France, so his string is well forward for the time of year. Given he sponsors the race, though, Ellison will have other ideas.
Hestina was outclassed in a Listed race on the Flat when last seen but will be more at home in the AMCO Rail Handicap Hurdle. She was improving quickly over hurdles before Dan Skelton attempted to nick some black type but the plan backfired. –