HORSE RACING

Ayr stages its first major flat race of 2022 on Wednesday, May 18 when the feature contest is the British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Fillies’ Stakes, Listed Race over 1m 2f.

This race was first run in 2016 when it was won by the Keith Dalgleish trained Maleficent Queen and other winners include the brilliant Nezwaah in 2017 who went on to win a Group 1 at the Curragh.

Last year the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Bharani Star, ridden by Paul Hanagan, sprung a surprise at odds of 16-1.

Entries for this year’s race will be made today (Thursday) and I fully expect Keith Dalgleish to be represented in this while David O’Meara, Michael Dods, Charlie and Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey could have horses suited by the conditions of this race.

Roger Varian has won the race twice with the aforementioned Nezwaah and also with Shenanigans in 2019. He has a filly in Lady Hayes who was runner up in a similar grade of race at Goodwood last month and who should be competitive if aimed at this contest which has a total prize fund of £54,500 and a first prize of almost £31,000.

The main supporting heat on the card is the EBF Stallions Restricted Maiden Stakes for two year olds over the minimum trip of five furlongs and this was won last year by the Michael Dods runner Red Warning.

There is also a five furlong three yearold only handicap which could provide an opportunity for the Grant Tuer trained Westmorianto open his account at the sixth time of asking. He has been running exclusively over six furlongs but a drop back a furlong shouldn’t hinder him and his excellent young

trainer gas a really good record at the track over the last couple of seasons.

The opening race next Wednesday is at 1.00pm.