Elite to go the distance

● Jardine charge will relish the trip and soft ground

Elite Icon does nothing quickly but promises to be best suited to conditions in the William Hill Get The App On Google Play Handicap at Ayr.

The track lost all three days of its Gold Cup meeting recently due to a false patch of ground but this meeting is taking place on the hurdles track so, while the ground is described as soft, it will at least be fresh.

Elite Icon had looked very limited during his first eight races, but there are not many horses in training that the excellent Iain Jardine will not be able to get a win out of. He stepped the Sixties Icon gelding up in trip to a mile and three-quarters, but, at halfway, even that did not look as if it was going to be far enough as he was struggling in the rear.

Stamina came into play close to home, though, and he ended up running out a ready winner by three lengths.

Donnachies Girl has been left alone by the handicapper for finishing third to Jardine’s Sepal at Hamilton and should run well again in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.

She has been really consistent for Alistair Whillans and even ran well in a couple of bumpers before switching to the Flat. Three wins from 12 efforts reads well and her last run was arguably her best. She likes the ground, is down in grade and will stay the trip.

The action opens with The Williamhillbetboostnursery Handicap over a mile and Carluke trainer Keith Dalgleish is triple-handed with top weight Here In The Dark, Cuillin Hills and Lil Gem.