TAKE COMMAND AT AYR

DARK COMMAND CAN END THE LONG WAIT FOR A FIRST VICTORY AT THE SEASIDE IN SCOTLAND TOMORROW

Dark Command has a good chance to finally end a maddening sequence of results when he rocks up at Ayr tomorrow.

The three-year-old gelding has hit the frame seven times in 15 careers, yet he is annoyingly still a maiden.

There are, however, distinct pointers that all trespasses can be forgiven in the Racing UK Day Pass Just £10 Handicap. Dark Command likes to get his toe in, so the prospect of easy enough ground in Scotland clearly bodes well.

He also has plenty of course experience, having twice finished in the money from four starts. But it is perhaps Michael Dods’ decision to revert to six furlongs with the son of Kheleyf which is probably of most significance.

He has shown up reasonably well of late over seven and a mile, but Dark Command has just fallen short of getting his nose in front – though he has admittedly often been besieged by misfortune.

Moreover, the blinkers and an eyeshield should hopefully keep him on the straight and narrow in what is not a good race by any stretch of the imagination.

Dods could have a fine day at Ayr as the old boy Osteopathic Remedy is taken to do the business in the Racing UK.com/HD Training Series Apprentice Handicap.

The soft-ground-loving 12-year-old has not won for an age, but he is handicapped accordingly.

Osteopathic Remedy also demonstrated at Carlisle last time that the fires still flicker brightly after he chased home the nine-year-younger Jordan James.

The gelded son of Inchinor was fleetingly tapped for toe at Carlisle, which arguably cost him victory as the winner was only half a length ahead at the line.

Dods’ inmate has gone up 2lb, but he is still rated considerably lower than when he last hit the target in August 2014. These races are often settled by which apprentice rider has the most wherewithal, so it is reassuring to see Eborwinning pilot Adam McNamara on board.