DARBUCKS is expected to gain revenge on last week’s course-and-distance conqueror JKR Cobbler when the pair re-engage in the racingtv.com Handicap (4.50) at Ayr this afternoon.
Seven furlongs with give in the ground suits the Chris Kellett –trained son of Profitable well – as he showed with a near-miss on Scotland’s west coast last Monday.
A 12-1 shot in a field of 11, Darbucks hit the front on the run to the final furlong, only to be worn down on the run to the line, going under by a neck.
However, his penalty means that JKR Cobbler has to confirm the form on 5lb worse terms today, and that provides Darbucks – who has won off a British Horseracing Authority mark of 58 but competes from 52 here – with the perfect opportunity for vengeance.
At Beverley, IMPRESSOR is fancied to give his rivals weight and a beating in the Jamie Kerr Memorial Handicap (6.30).
Newsboy’s Daily Double plus tips on every race from Monday’s four meetingsPhil Makin’s son of Footstepsinthesand was back to winning form at Hamilton Park nine days ago with a two-and-a-quarter-length supremacy from Wee Fat Mac.
Under the circumstances, a 7lb rise in the weights was to be expected, and Shane Gray’s partner has the ideal conditions for his follow-up attempt.
Monday's selections
AYR
2.30 TWO AULD PALS
3.05 DOROTHY LAWRENCE
3.50 WHISKEY PRIEST
4.15 GENTLE ELLEN
4.50 DARBUCKS (NAP)
5.25 STAR SHIELD
BEVERLEY
5.55 TAN RAPIDO
6.30 IMPRESSOR (NB)
7.00 UGO GREGORY
7.30 REVOQUABLE
8.00 PRECEDENT
8.30 FREAK OUT
WINDSOR
6.20 MATTERS MOST
6.50 MAGIC LIGHT
7.20 GUARD
7.50 THE CRUISING LORD
8.20 DECORATION
8.50 BRILLIANT BLUE
DOUBLE: DARBUCKS and IMPRESSOR