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London – Keith Dalgleish is normally a good man to follow at Ayr’s Western Meeting - which kicks off today - and he can take the opening-day feature, the William Hill Doonside Cup Stakes, with What’s The Story.
The five-year-old has found plenty of improvement this season - and while he has reserved his best for York to date, winning valuable handicaps at both the Dante and Ebor meetings, there is no reason he cannot repeat that closer to home.
Fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup last season, he looked like he had maybe reached a peak after disappointing in the Cambridgeshire.
But Dalgleish has worked his magic, and What’s The Story has improved a further 5.4kg this summer.
He looks well worth a crack at Listed level. While he meets a couple of his rivals on unfavourable terms, what is in his favour is that he arrives on the back of a careerbest effort - and he is the only one who can boast that.
Roger Varian’s Monsieur Noir looked marginally unlucky last time out and can atone for that in the Cala Homes Handicap.
An odds-on winner of his penultimate outing at Salisbury, he was running off a mark of 84 at Newmarket and met trouble in running before staying on into fourth.
The step back up to 1400m looks logical on that showing, and he should go close.
Eynhallow has suggested there are still races to be won with him in his two runs to date this season.
A really progressive type for Roger Charlton at three, he was bought by Godolphin to go to Dubai.
He ran well twice there before having just the one run at Royal Ascot last summer, and he was then not seen again until August when fourth at Newmarket.
In a competitive race at York last time out, he was sixth of 16, but this represents a pretty big drop in class for the Dan Hague Betting On The Rails Handicap at Yarmouth - and he is stepping up in trip.
John Gosden has reached for first-time blinkers for Harrovian in the Youngs Cityscape Handicap.
He has worn cheekpieces and a visor the last twice, so Gosden obviously feels there is still a bit more in his locker.
Tavus began life handicapping off a very lowly mark - but even off a 14.5kg higher perch, he can bring up a hat-trick in the totepool Cashback Club At totesport.com Handicap at Chelmsford.
Irish raider Dragons Call can make the journey to Pontefract worthwhile in the Elkington Stud Supports Racing To School EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap.
John James Feane’s charge won at Limerick in early July - and while the handicapper dropped her 1kg for finishing fourth at Naas, the winner, I Am Superman, is a classy colt on his day. In the context of this race, that looks pretty strong form.
Another making the journey from Ireland is Cliffs Of Freedom in the Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Southwell, and he looks the one to beat. – Press Association To take a bet, go to www.tabonline.co.za or www.bettingworld.co.za