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.
DODS’ YOUNGSTER CAN WIN AYR OPENER.
Ayr Racecourse stages its fifth and final meeting of July today (Monday) with the aptly named July Finale Raceday bringing the curtain down on the course’s busiest month of the year.
The seven racecard has an earlier than usual start with the EBF Maiden Stakes for two year-olds being run at 1.00pm.This five and a half furlong contest is always a competitive affair and the Michael Dods’ trained Tatterstall looks the pick of the nine runners having finished second at Beverley earlier in the month. Connor Beasley takes the ride.
The feature of the day is the 1m 2f handicap at 3.20pm which sees Noble Anthem, the mount of Paul Mulrennan, and Mike Smith’s six time track winner Glasses Up, with Jason Hart riding, clash again after the former beat his rival by a neck here 22 days ago. Mike Smith also runs Tilsitt (Danny Tudhope) and Kondo Isami (Jimmy Sullivan) in the £15,000 race.
Jim Goldie is a trainer in great form and he has no fewer than nine runners on the card including Classy Al who contests the Book Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap at 2.45pm. The four year-old has won twice at the track this season and with regular jockey Paul Mulrennan riding will be hard to beat.
The meeting ends with the Sunday Market At Ayr Racecourse Handicap over five furlongs at 4.25pm and Donald McCain a trainer best known for his exploits over jumps saddles Nacho here with Graham Lee riding and the gelding who won at Woverhampton earlier in the year could be ready to pounce again.