Ayr preview: Buonarroti has plenty in his favour

Buonarroti posted a cracking effort when runner-up last time out, and looks decent value to go one better and land the spoils in the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at Ayr (16.35).

The gelding had some useful form to his name as a juvenile when trained by Aidan O’Brien, including when fifth to Kingston Hill in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster off an official rating of 105.

Now in the care of Declan Carroll, the four-year-old is able to race off 88 having run really well in two of his last three starts.

In the first of those at Doncaster, Buonarroti stayed on strongly from three out to be gaining at the finish and beaten two lengths into fourth behind Elkaayed in a competitive class 2 contest.

The son of Galileo then wasn’t seen to best effect at York when getting buffeted about and shuffled back in the early stages, but quickly bounced back to finish a fine second to Penhill at Haydock two weeks ago.

Buonarroti raced with plenty of zest on the heels of the leaders before being produced to take up the running two from home, and after being headed deep inside the final furlong battled back well to go down by just 1/2 a length.

It was a performance which suggested Buonarroti was ready to take advantage of his handy mark and, with underfoot conditions holding no fears, this looks a nice opportunity for him to score an overdue success.

In the 7f handicap (14.55), Circuitous is a fascinating contender now reunited with jockey Joe Fanning and can go well at a big price.

The Keith Dalgleish trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing the 2013 running of the Ayr Bronze Cup at this venue.

Circuitous made all and held on gamely to land the competitive 27-runner class 2 contest by a head off a mark of 78, and also ran well to finish runner-up off the same rating on his reappearance last season.

The seven-year-old’s form then tailed off badly, but that resulted in the handicapper cutting Circuitous plenty of slack and he is now able to race off just 63.

That is 15lb lower than when last victorious and gives course and distance winner Circuitous major claims from a handicapping perspective.

Circuitous had also been shaping well prior disappointing at Catterick two days ago, but the booking of Fanning looks significant and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.

Fanning has partnered Circuitous to victory once and also finished in the frame on the son of Fasliyev on seven occasions in the past , and now gets the leg up for the first time in over two years.

Selections:
13.20: Speed Company
13.50: Top of The Glas
14.25: Our Time Will Come
14.55: Circuitous (NB)
15.30: Azrur
16.00: I’ll Be Good
16.35: Buonarroti (NAP)
17.05: Carpe Vita