Dods’ charge looks a gift on return to racing in Scotland

TIPS: Repeat of last performance should be enough for dual handicap winner

Racing returns in Scotland today and QUEENS GIFT can take a starring role on the opening card at Ayr.

The EBF Land O’burns Fillies’ Stakes is the feature event and this Listed race looks an ideal opportunity for Michael Dods’ charge to get off the mark in 2020.

A dual handicap winner last year, she rounded off the campaign with two excellent placed efforts behind Judicial and Equilateral, who certainly gave the form a huge boost when finishing second in the King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot.

She returned to action earlier this month in the Palace House Stakes, turning in a great effort in her first try in Group Three company, finishing fifth behind Far Above. Beaten just two and a half lengths, a repeat of that performance would be more than good enough to take this prize.

VOLATILE ANALYST is a fascinating contender in the Jordan Electrics Novice Stakes.

A winner on his debut at this track last July, he has not run since finishing an excellent fourth behind Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde in the Richmond Stakes last August.

He outran his sizeable odds that day and was not beaten far, suggesting there could be plenty more to look forward to this term.

WENTWORTH FALLS is another to have turned in a fair effort since racing resumed and he can kick on again in the QTS Investors In Sport Handicap.

His one and a half length reverse behind Oxted on his final start at the end of last year now reads very well indeed, given that one is July Cup bound, and his initial fourth at Newmarket should have brought him on nicely.

MODAKHAR can also feel the benefit of a run in the Watch On Racingtv Handicap at Thirsk.

Karl Burke’s runner underwent a breathing operation during the winter and probably needed the outing when beaten a length in third at Newmarket. Normal progress should see him in the mix in this event.

A STAR ABOVE showed some ability in two runs at the end of last year and should be followed in the first division of the racingtv.com Maiden Stakes.

He was not pushed too hard when unplaced on his debut and stayed on in fine fashion to finish third on his second attempt, with Lingfield’s all-weather track perhaps not quite to his liking.

SELECTIONS:

AYR: 1.40 Meshakel, 2.10 Volatile Analyst, 2.40 Lincoln Red, 3.10 Mr Wagyu, 3.40 Wentworth Falls, 4.15 QUEENS GIFT (NAP), 4.50 Bond’s Boy, 5.20 Caustic Love, 5.50 Oasis Prince. THIRSK: 12.15 Alghada, 12.45 Amelia R, 1.15 Tangled, 1.50 Aces N Kings, 2.20 Modakhar, 2.50 Queen Mia, 3.20 Groveman, 3.50 A Star Above, 4.25 Make Haste Slowly, 4.55 Mousebird.

WINDSOR: 5.00 Irish Tweed, 5.30 Lady Florence, 6.00 Imperial Fora, 6.30 Iconic Knight, 7.00 Red Bravo, 7.30 Coquette, 8.00 My Vision, 8.30 Persian Beauty.

DOUBLE: Queen’s Gift and Modakhar.