Tuesday Ayr Placepot Tips from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Bloomin Robbery, Maggie’s Tern

BLOOMIN ROBBERY, an expensive daughter of Kodiac, shaped with plenty of promise on debut at Redcar when seventh of 15. She should know more about her job here and could get heavily involved with more to come. 

MAGGIE’S TERN has twice made the frame over this distance and drops in grade after being found out in stronger events since. Even if she again finds one or two too good, she should be good enough to make the frame in leg 1. 

Leg 2 Selections: Berry Edge, Graces Quest

The Michael Dods-trained BERRY EDGE has visited Ayr twice, placing both times, including a closing third over course-and-distance when last seen. The assessor has left his mark unchanged and he is a pound lower than when last successful. He has another big weight to carry but is the most consistent runner in the field and surely that counts for plenty here. 

GRACES QUEST was down the field in a stronger event at Hamilton last time and will find this ease in grade more to her liking. She is only a couple of pounds higher than when winning last June at Carlisle and ran well on her reappearance at this course. She’s not out of things at this lower level. 

Leg 3 Selections: Fast And Loose, Significantly, Soldier’s Minute 

FAST AND LOOSE is six pounds better off with Woven than when third behind him at Doncaster. Kevin Ryan’s charge also came within a short-head of success in the Bronze Cup over course-and-distance when second of 24 in September and should be a serious player with fitness now assured from this dangerous mark. 

SIGNIFICANTLY hasn’t won since winning at Royal Ascot two seasons ago but should appreciate the drop in grade on stable debut and is eight pounds below his last winning mark, plus his new handler is in good form. He might just need this return but he’s a big player if ready to roll with conditions to suit. 

SOLDIER’S MINUTE is another down in class, who’s record here is exemplary, placing in Gold Cup’s and Silver Cup’s over course-and-distance off marks of 95 and 98. He is down to 88 and defied a mark of 104 on the all-weather early last year. There’s plenty to like about his chances. 

Leg 4 Selections: Sosallycanwait, One Last Hug

SOSALLYCANWAIT is still a maiden after 18 starts but did make the frame in a pair of handicaps in the 60’s mark last year, so she is certainly well-handicapped off 54 here. The fact that connections have come over and booked Jason Hart to ride makes her a definite pick for the shortlist. 

ONE LAST HUG has bundles of experience and got back to winning ways at this course just over two weeks ago. She has a five pound higher mark in this race but she might be able to use that latest performance as a springboard to further success. She could be ready to rack up a sequence of wins for Jim Goldie. 

Leg 5 Selections: Darkness, Black Friday

David O’Meara’s DARKNESS turned in a rare poor effort at Ascot last-time-out but this is a significant ease in grade and this will be the lowest grade race he has contested in the UK from a career-low mark. He has run some big races off higher marks for connections already and is Jason Watson’s only ride. I like his claims, as he should be ready to gain a first win for connections. 

BLACK FRIDAY could go around here blindfolded though, who is a three-time course winner and while he’s been winless for a long time, he is nine pounds below his last winning mark. He finished a good second here last time under a big weight and is a pound lower for this contest, so the eight-year-old must have a chance. 

Leg 6 Selections: Novak, Tangled 

NOVAK has continuously knocked on the door late with three consecutive seconds, including over track and trip last-time-out. This might be the day he finally gets his head in front with William Pyle taking off a handy seven pounds. 

TANGLED was last of five at this course on his return but the combination of that run under his belt and the fitting of blinkers could reignite his best. His last success was off an 11Ib higher mark and the ease in grade will help too.