Keep faith with Axe Axelrod to get things right

Fahey’s charge can stay on course for York after defeat on Hamilton debut

Odds-on backers had their fingers burnt when AXE AXELROD was beaten on his Hamilton debut but he can reward those who keep the faith at Ayr.

Connections went to 125,000 guineas to secure his services at the breeze-up sales in April and the fact he was so heavily supported for his racecourse introduction last month suggested he had been showing trainer Richard Fahey plenty on the gallops at Musley Bank.

Although the money went west, Axe Axelrod was far from disgraced in finishing second to a far more streetwise rival in Howzer Black and ran like he would improve considerably for the experience.

The Street Sense colt resurfaces in the ayrgoldcup.co.uk Novice Stakes and will likely need to get off the mark if he is to take up his entry in next month’s Gimcrack Stakes at York.

PRIMO’S COMET gets the nod in the Racing UK’s Biggest Ever Flat Season Handicap.

Jim Goldie’s three-year-old had knocked on the door once or twice before getting off the mark at the seventh time of asking at Newcastle last month.

There was a bit to like about the way he did it, too, as he found himself rather detached early on after being tardy from the stalls.

Making headway to lead inside the final furlong, he held on nicely and everything suggests he can go on from there to win more races now he has finally got his head in front.

Goldie will also fancy his chances with JESSIE ALLAN, a surprise winner at the course last week.

The 33-1 shot beat Revenge by three quarters of a length and pairs up again with George Downing in the QTS Ladies Night on 11 August Handicap.

Jumping fare comes from Cartmel, where RAISE A SPARK can maintain his unbeaten record over fences.

Donald McCain’s charge won readily on his chasing debut at the Cumbrian venue at the end of May and the subsequent success of the runnerup Birch Hill gives the form some credibility.

Raise A Spark enters the handicap arena off a mark of 123 and looks sure to go well.

SELECTIONS

AYR: 1.30 AXE AXELROD (NAP), 2.00 Vallarta, 2.30 Primo’s Comet, 3.05 Jessie Allan, 3.35 Reinforced, 4.10 Coviglia, 4.40 Gworn, 5.10 Akamanto.

CARTMEL: 2.15 The Steward, 2.45 Dreamsoftheatre, 3.20 Celtic Monarch, 3.50 Trafalgar Rock, 4.25 Raise A Spark, 4.55 Jovial Joey, 5.25 Crakehall Lad.

DOUBLE: Axe Axelrod and Raise A Spark

Picture: PA. Sea of Class and jockey James Doyle in the parade ring after winning the Darley Irish Oaks on Saturday. Doyle’s win on the William Haggastrained filly was part of a treble on the day.