AYR 15:35

Non Runners: JUAN LES PINS.

Time: 1m 10.77s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.45s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 139%, Betfair SP 104.2%

An excellent renewal of an event with a rich history - even in the absence of likely favourite Juan Les Pins who was withdrawn the previous evening, somewhat prematurely considering the drying conditions - which included a plethora of high-quality handicappers, plenty of the form lines from the earlier major sprint events in the calendar represented and it was one who'd been touched off in the Portland last week that gained quick compensation, Significantly doing well to win, getting the gaps only late on and then suffering interference at the hands of the 3-y-o runner-up, but still finding plenty to lead where it mattered and provide his veteran northern jockey with a first success in the contest; atypically they decided to race in one large group and it seemed a level playing field, the fourth flying home on the near wing whilst Fast Response shaped encouragingly having raced on the outer one, the form likely to prove strong despite the relatively bunched finish.

SIGNIFICANTLY hails from a yard which has started to go better of late and confirmed the promise of his narrow Portland defeat the previous week to land one of the major handicaps of the season on just his sixth start for new connections, looking 50,000 gns well spent, doing well under the circumstances having endured a troubled passage and definitely value for extra, plenty to like regarding how quickly he eroded the deficit after losing momentum at a crucial stage; waited with, headway on bridle over 2f out, had to wait for gap under 2f out, effort when short of room entering final 1f, still 1½ lengths down 100 yds out, quickened to lead close home; can't be hit hard by the assessor and will remain of interest.

RAMAZAN (IRE) back down in trip, is in the form of his life and went agonisingly close to landing another big pot after 6 weeks off, one of just a pair of 3-y-os in the field, though he would've been a fortunate winner had Significantly failed to get up considering he caused the interference to that rival; in touch, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, edged left, headed close home; this puts him at a smart level and it'll be no surprise were he to progress out of handicaps at 4 yrs, probably already up to listed races and one to keep firmly on side for a while yet.

GWEEDORE who goes well at this track, is a credit to connections and ran a cracker on his first start at a bare 6f having been backed at long odds (available at 40/1 earlier in the day), typically giving his all on his twelfth start of the campaign, a testament to his constitution; disputed lead, went with enthusiasm, went on 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed soon after, not quicken only late on.

ALBASHEER (IRE) is the type that needs everything to fall right taking his run style into account but ran well in yet another high-end handicap, really taking the eye with how he motored past the majority of the field in the final 1f; slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, still plenty to do under 2f out, switched to near flank approaching final 1f, stayed on strongly; remains with low mileage for age and he's surely got another big prize in his locker, connections surely tempted to aim him towards the Wokingham again in the first half of next season, looking tailor-made for that contest.

MONTASSIB typically gave running after 8 weeks off, unsurprisingly doing his best work at the finish back sprinting for the first time since debut, a swift return to further looking ideal; dwelt, patiently ridden, driven under 3f out, good headway over 1f out, switched entering final 1f, stayed on.

FAST RESPONSE (IRE) back under less testing conditions/in handicap company (claimer ridden) for first time this year, shaped well after 6 weeks off, caught on the far flank which probably cost her a spot in the frame; mid-division, headway under pressure under 2f out, threatened entering final 1f, not quicken only final 50 yds (lost 2 places close home); this is very much her time of year and her ability to handle testing conditions better than most means that she'll remain of interest for the remainder of the campaign, a return to Doncaster for the listed race she won last year probably on the cards.

ROHAAN (IRE) well backed, got his ideal set up back in a high-end handicap over this trip for the first time since landing the Wokingham from a 5 lb higher mark last year but could run just respectably; held up, switched soon after start, ridden 3f out, had to wait for gap over 2f out, kept on final 1f, nearest at the finish.

MR WAGYU (IRE) who goes well at this track (placed in this in 2021), confirmed return to form, encouragingly putting a pair of good runs together for the first time this season; close up, ridden over 2f out, held when edged left entering final 1f.

LETHAL LEVI in first-time visor, ran to a similar level to last time; close up, ridden over 2f out, carried left approaching final 1f, one paced.

BIELSA (IRE) after 7 weeks off, won this race 2 years ago from 1 lb lower in the weights and deserves credit for consistency this season after looking a lost cause in 2022, staying straight under pressure this time; mid-field, ridden halfway, progress under 2f out, not quicken last ½f.

ORAZIO (IRE) one of the least exposed, had excuses for his defeats when sent off clear favourite for the Wokingham and Stewards' Cup but had none on this occasion (when at the head of betting once more) and it would have to go down as a disappointing effort considering how he went through it; mid-field, typically travelled well, ridden 2f out, challenged approaching final 1f, one paced.

ALEEZDANCER (IRE) had shaped quite well when behind a few of these at Goodwood 7 weeks earlier and wasn't disgraced, the drying conditions probably not in his favour; mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not quicken last ½f.

IT JUST TAKES TIME (IRE) ran about as well as could be expected; steadied at the start, raced off the pace, switched soon after start, driven 3f out, steady headway final 1f, never landed a blow.

ABERAMA GOLD fared better than of late but just seems to have gone off the boil following such a productive mid-season spell; prominent, went with zest, every chance over 1f out, faded final 100 yds.

LEQUINTO (IRE) found this too competitive; raced off the pace, off the bridle before most, switched soon after start, brief headway under 2f out, beaten when hung left final 1f.

ESCOBAR (IRE) without usual tongue strap, found this an insufficient test; dwelt, raced well off the pace, ridden under 3f out, still plenty to do over 1f out, merely closed up late.

PROBE who attracted support returned to a more suitable trip, was below form after 10 weeks off; slowly into stride, mid-field, took keen hold, driven over 2f out, never dangerous.

NORTHERN EXPRESS (IRE) is better judged on previous form dropped to sprinting; in touch, ridden 2f out, beaten when not clear run last ½f (not persevered with); type to bounce back quickly.

GORAK (FR) claimer ridden returned to handicap company, has little in hand from present mark; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, never involved.

MONDAMMEJ is struggling for form at present; mid-field, ridden under 3f out, left behind entering final 1f.

MAGICAL SPIRIT (IRE) ran poorly after 8 weeks off; in touch, driven over 2f out, weakening when met some trouble over 1f out.

DESERT COP fared little better back in a handicap; disputed lead until 2f out, dropped away entering final 1f.

PAWS FOR THOUGHT (IRE) claimer ridden, wasn't up to this better company; handy, ridden under 3f out, left behind approaching final 1f.

SUMMERGHAND (IRE) who won this race last year from a 5 lb lower mark, arrived in top form again but turned in a rare poor effort; raced off the pace, brief headway under 3f out, struggling when short of room over 1f out, eased; he's another that's likely to bounce back quickly.