Saint Equiano is expected to chalk up a victory at Ayr
– Saint Equiano bolted up on his latest visit to Ayr and will take plenty of beating on his return to the track today.
Having run well in defeat twice at Ayr in June, the Keith Dalgleish-trained gelding finished third at Chester.
After a couple months off, the four-year-old returned to Ayr for the Western meeting a couple of weeks ago and turned what looked a competitive handicap into a procession, dominating his rivals from the front. Given the manner of the victory, it is no surprise the assessor has handed him a 3.5kg rise. However, that may not be enough to stop him following up if he is in similar mood.
Dalgleish loves a winner at Ayr
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and is also fancied to strike gold with I'm Improving in the Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap.
This three-year-old looked quite an exciting prospect after rounding off his juvenile campaign with a runaway victory at Redcar.
He still appeared a little green when fourth on his reappearance at Wetherby and he was rightly prominent in the market on his next start at Carlisle.
Fitted with a hood for the first time, I'm Improving ran with the choke out and consequently failed to get 2200m on what is a stiff track.
Back at 2000m on a flatter surface, if he is a little more tractable Dalgleish's charge looks sure to make his presence felt.
The Roger Varian-trained Augenblick rates the best bet at Kempton's evening fixture. The daughter of Epaulette made a winning start to her racing career here last October and a decisive victory at Newcastle the following month ensured he headed for a winter break two from two.
Her unbeaten record was lost on her belated return to action at Sandown less than three weeks ago, but she performed with plenty of credit to pass the post in third. That run should have blown away a few cobwebs and with a step up to 1600m expected to suit, she can rediscover the winning trail in the 32Red Fillies' Handicap.
Fivetwoeight can register a second successive course and distance verdict in the 32Red. com Handicap. Following a couple of decent efforts here and at Yarmouth, Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt was a short-priced favourite to make it third time lucky for the season and rewarded his supporters with an assured display.
A 1,5kg rise looks far from insurmountable.
Donald McCain's Dear Sire can gain his revenge on likely favourite Caid du Lin in the bet365 Novices' Chase at Sedgefield. Dear Sire has a 3kg pull for a 5.50 -length defeat by Caid du Lin at Worcester last month, and this slightly easier track may play to his strengths.
Olly Murphy's Itchy Feet was an authoritative winner of a Stratford bumper and has a golden opportunity to open his account on his jumps debut in the toals.com Casino Novices' Hurdle at Southwell. –