Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
BURKE YOUNGSTER IN AYR RAID.
Ayr Racecourse kicks off a busy week by staging August Raceday with the seven race card due off with the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at 1.18pm.
There are six runners in this including recent Carlisle winner Espionne from the Karl Burke yard who will be ridden by Clifford Lee. Four of the field are making their racecourse debuts including Mawada from the powerful Richard Fahey yard.
The feature race is the Fergie Happel Memorial Handicap and the five strong field here is headed by Glasses Up a six time course winner. Trained by Mike Smith and ridden by Paddy Mathers the seven year-old was third here in a similar contest last week and a repeat of that ruin should see him go close. Richard Fahey’s White Willow, winner of two of her six starts is also respected.
Galashiels based trainer Katie Scott is enjoying her best ever season with 10 winners already and saddles recent course winner Ben Aske in the seven furlong handicap at 3.18pm with Billy Garritty riding. He won well that day and the handicapper has been lenient so he may well go in again.
Ayr also races on Thursday night before staging its annual Ladies Night on Saturday.