HORSE RACING

BY IAIN FERGUSON

Scottish-based trainers kept up their run of good form saddling four of the six winners at Ayr Racecourse’s Summer Sizzler Raceday on Monday.

And it was a very special day for Galashiels trainer Katie Scott who hit the 10 winner mark for the year – her best ever total on the Flat – when saddling Ben Asker, a 40-1 chance, to win the Ayr Racecourse Sunday Market Handicap.

The four year-old having his first run from Katie having been sold out of Paul Robson’s Hawick yard made all under Billy Garritty to win at 40-1.

And Katie said : “It’s great to beat my previous best and I hope there’s many more to come this year. Huge credit to my staff at home as they do a great job.”

Another trainer at the top of their game is Mike Smith who turned out Earn Your Stripes less than 48 hours after she finished second at Hamilton and this time the filly was not going to get beaten as she stuck her head out all the way to the line to win by a neck from Monsieur Kodi.

It was a special present for Irvine-born jockey David Allan who was celebrating his 40th birthday.

A delighted Mike who trains at Galston commented : “He came out of Saturday night well and upped in trip to six furlongs today. He did it well.”

Keith Dalgleish’s Prince Of Pillo, having his first run, won the opening six furlong novice stakes by half a length from One Of Our Own.

The fourth Scottish-trained winner came courtesy of Jim Goldie’s Shine On Brendan in the mile handicap with Paul Mulrennan keeping the gelding up to his work to win by half a length from Fly Like An Eagle.

Paul had a double on the day as he partnered Bruno’s Gold for Upper Lambourn trainer Archie Watson to win the 1m 2f handicap.

Ayr’s next meeting is on Monday when the feature race at the Glasgow Fair Family Raceday is the £30,000 Ayr Gold Cup Trial over six furlongs.

The Class 3 contest should attract a near maximum 25 runner field with most of the leading northern stables set to have runners.

There will be a sizable contingent of runners from southern yards as well and this heat is one to watch.

The Longines Irish Champions Weekend EBF Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs for two year-olds is one of the main supporting races on the card and should see some useful youngsters participating.