The Scotsman

Top field opens Ayr’s big week

● Ingleby Hollow and My Name is Rio among runners in first of three meetings

- By IAIN FERGUSON

Ayr stages the first of its three meetings this week today with June Raceday featuring seven races due under way at 2pm.

The opening EBF Novice Auction Stakes over six furlongs for two year-olds features runners from several top yards and Mark Johnston saddles newcomer Light Heart, the mount of PJ Mcdonald while Karl Burke is represente­d by Hurricane Hero and Richard Fahey sends out the filly Society Queen.

The feature race, the five furlong handicap at 3.35pm, has some interestin­g runners in the field with last year’s winner My Name Is Rio lining up for trainer Michael Dods.

Keith Dalgleish’s Lomu also has winning form on the track whilenewma­rket-basedtrain­er George Scott has one winner from one runner at the track and saddles Jack The Truth, the mount of Danny Tudhope, who ran second at Lingfield last month.

Ingleby Hollow has been consistent of late and can maintain that run by taking the Ayrshire Cancer Support Here To Help Handicap at 4:45pm.

The six-year-old has decent form on the all-weather, over jumps and on turf and is also versatile trip-wise.

A winner over a mile and three-quarters at Wetherby and second over a mile and a half at Doncaster, both in May, David O’meara’s gelding will be refreshed from a little break and can get his back in front.

Jim Goldie’s course specialist Goninodaet­hat, winner at the track eight times, runs in the six furlong amateur riders’ handicap at 5.15pm where he takes on eight rivals including stablemate Cheeni and Iain Jardine’s Smuggler’s Creek.

Ayr also races on Friday and Saturday.

At Windsor, Rock Eagle, who suffered a short-priced reverse last time out, can make amends in the Sky Bet Racing Cash Out ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes at Windsor.

He certainly looks an animal of potential and given he is a half-brother to admirable Group Two winner Highland Knight, the class should be there.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom