AYRAD TO ENJOY GALA DAY

Ayrad looks ripe to win back-to-back renewals of the Ambant Gala Stakes at Sandown tomorrow.

Roger Charlton’s inmate justified 5-4 favouritism a year ago when he gamely defeated Spark Plug by three-quarters of a length.

Ayrad made all the running that day and it is not hard to envisage a similar scenario as he attempts to uphold the form with the runner-up.

The 109-rated six-yearold has continually given a good account own in Group company, but Listed class is probably his level, a point nicely illustrated at Royal Ascot when he stayed on with some purpose for fifth in the Wolferton Handicap.

Nothing in that race was finishing with more purpose than Ayrad, but he could never quite reel in the protagonists on what was his seasonal debut.

Andrea Atzeni knows the Dalakhani gelding better than anyone, so it is good to see him back at the helm. Expect his wise jockey to be more forceful on Ayrad, who will surely be much sharper with that Ascot run in safe-keeping.

Plenty of Royal Ascot horses return to the fray in the Listed Dragon Stakes, with narrow preference for Havana Grey.

Karl Burke’s speedball was disappointing in the Norfolk Stakes as he probably expended too muchenergybyattempting to boss proceedings.

Havana Grey wilted when push came to shove, eventually finishing 10 behind Sioux Nation, but he can easily be given another chance.

He looked so good over course and distance in May.

The son of Havana Gold readily defeated Frozen Angel, who finished fourth in the Norfolk, in the Listed National Stakes, having previously excelled at Ayr.

Despite a penalty, he should once again be very competitive at this grade.

Marjorie Fife does a fine job with her small squad and is taken to secure the seven-furlong classified stakes at Doncaster with Classic Seniority.

The in-form Dan Troop is unlikely to be too far away in the seven-and-ahalf-furlong handicap at Beverley.