The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Burke’s good run can continue with Riley at Ayr

- TODAY’S SELECTIONS: AYR: LIFE OF RILEY (nap),

Life Of Riley will not be winning out of turn if he claims top honours in the Shadwell Stud/EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes at Ayr.

The Showcasing colt has been set some stiff tasks since opening his account at Ripon in the spring, but has largely performed well in defeat.

Karl Burke’s charge was only narrowly denied at Listed success at Sandown in July before finding only an on-song Rumble Inthejungl­e too strong in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

The form of his latest effort when fourth in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy could hardly have worked out better, too.

The winner of that race, Sporting Chance, landed a French Group Three on Monday, while the fifth home, Barbill, triumphed in a valuable sales race at the Curragh the previous afternoon.

Life Of Riley is certainly capable of winning at Listed level and this looks a fine opportunit­y for him to do just that.

Listed honours are also up for grabs in the Al Maktoum Cup Arran Scottish Fillies’ Sprint Stakes and with conditions to suit, the vote goes to the Michael Dods-trained Intense Romance.

The four-year-old has really flourished since returning from a two-month break, finishing second on her Carlisle comeback before chasing home subsequent Doncaster winner Global Applause at Sandown.

She devoured the Haydock mud when scoring with a little up her sleeve a couple of weeks ago and it is no surprise connection­s are going in search of some valuable black type on her favoured soft ground.

 ??  ?? Trainer Karl Burke
Trainer Karl Burke

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