Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Jim Goldie trained AYR POET (best priced at 8/1) found 0-80 company a bit too good last time when 3rd over this course and distance but he should hold strong claims once again back in this 0-75 apprentice handicap. The eight-year-old is a five-time course winner who will have no problem with the conditions he faces in this race.

Ayr Poet won over a mile here on soft ground earlier this season before following up in August over this trip of 1m2f. He once again won over a mile here in September off a mark of 66 before finishing 3rd over 1m2f here last time off a mark of 68. He runs here off the same mark today and gets the assistance of the talented Amie Waugh who can claim 3lbs in this race.

Topweight SNAZZY JAZZY (best priced at 7/1) ran well to finish 5th in the Ayr Silver Cup last time on his stable debut for Seb Spencer and he should hold strong claims in this easier race. The eight-year-old has gradually dropped down the handicap since his win at Hamilton off a mark of 94 in June 2022 and he joined this stable rated 87 two months ago.

Snazzy Jazzy was only beaten three lengths when 5th over this course and distance in the Ayr Silver Cup last month and the handicapper has been generous and dropped him a further 1lb for that effort down to a career low mark of 86. It is worth remembering that he is a former Group 3 winner earlier in his career so if his new stable can find the key to him then he is extremely well handicapped off this mark.

Last year’s winner Zumaaty is respected under similar testing conditions but preference instead goes to BANNER ROAD (best priced at 11/2) who should also relish the heavy ground. The Jim Goldie trained four-year-old has only run twice at Ayr in handicaps which has resulted in a victory over a mile and a neck 2nd to the consistent Jkr Cobbler over 7f. Her best two performances have come on testing ground with a neck 2nd on heavy ground at Hamilton in August before finishing a neck 2nd on soft ground last time at Hamilton off a mark of 55.

The handicapper has raised Banner Road up to a mark of 56 following her run 10 days ago but she instead runs here off a mark of 54 making her 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Sam James, who has form figures of 12 on her, is back on board and she should run well with four places widely available.

The Jack Jones trained THE WAITING GAME (best priced at 3/1) is unbeaten in her four starts over 6f and despite going up in class here, she looks worth keeping onside until she is beaten. The four-year-old has won three times over this course and distance with her most impressive performance coming last time when an easy 2 ¼ length winner off a mark of 67.

The handicapper has raised The Waiting Game 8lbs for that victory which is fair and she is well drawn again to get a good position from Stall 2. She faces better opposition here but she is clearly thriving currently and could make it five wins in a row.