HORSE RACING
IAIN FERGUSON
I am not normally given to yelling a horse home at Ayr as my role as PR and Raceday Presenter demands a bit of decorum.
But that went out of the window on Monday as Tilsitt, who I have a very small
share in, hit the front and stayed on to win the feature Ayr & District Flower Show Handicap.
This was the five year-old’s third win at the track and his fourth success in all since trainer Mike Smith bought him for
There was confidence also in the betting ring as the 8-1 available in the morning almost halved to 9-2 at the off.
Back up in trip to 1m 2f everything went to plan. He settled in third spot just off the pacesetter by stablemate Glasses Up and took the lead over two furlongs from home and easily held off the challenge of Wootton’Sun to win by three quarters of a length.
A very happy Danny told me in the Winners Enclosure: “It all went to plan. He has a very high cruising speed and I just dropped in off the pace. If anything I got there too early and he started to idle in front. He is a very good horse.”
And Mike added: “Tilsitt travels well in a race and he’s a very genuine horse. The easier ground suited him today although he also runs well on good to firm. I had no qualms in stepping him up in trip as he’s won over this distance on the all weather.
“Danny had watched replays of his previous races and gave him a peach of a ride.”
To round off a brilliant day for us all who are involved in Racing Connexions 10, Tilsitt was given the Star Performer of the day accolade in the Racing Post.
And the afternoon got even better for Mike who saddled Wrecked It Ralph to win the concluding five furlong handicap landing a monumental gamble in the process.
The four year-old, who was running over the minimum trip for the first time, was sent off the 2-1 favourite but was 6-1 or higher earlier in the day.
He was held up by Paddy Mathers and hit the front in the final furlong to win by three quarters of a length.
Jim Goldie was back in his favourite Winners Enclosure when Yasser comfortably won the Hospitality At Ayr Racecourse Handicap over a mile.
The 6-5 favourite was given a cool hold up ride from Paul Mulrennan to lead inside the final furlong and cross the line with a length and a half to spare from Ravenglass.
I think the gelding has more in the tank and can win again.
The new partnership of trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Oisin Orr won the opening EBF Maiden Stakes over five and a half furlongs with the progressive Sipahsalar running out a cosy two length winner from Dream For Gold.
Now qualified for nursery handicaps this son of Sioux Nation also looks like a horse to follow.
Jockey Jason Hart rode his 50th winner of the year on Signora Camacho in the six furlong nursery handicap.
A solid 11-10 favourite the result was never in doubt as the John Quinn trained youngster cruised to the front and went clear.
The filly has an entry in a valuable race at Newmarket on Saturday and despite a penalty for this win should be competitive.
The biggest priced winner of the day was Little Muddy who won the Staycations At Western House Handicap at 16-1.
The Seb Spencer trained six year-old made all under Dale Swift to win from Water Of Leith with the latter now back with Jim Goldie one to note.
Keith Dalgleish’s Beltane lost the seven furlong handicap in the Stewards’ Room after crossing the line a head in front of Grigadale who was awarded the race after being bumped by his rival near the line.
The winner is trained by David and Nicola Barron and was ridden by Ben Curtis.