Ayr and Brighton previews: Golden chance for Intisaab
Published:
David Metcalf | June 6, 2016
Intisaab holds all the aces at Ayr
Intisaab ran a blinder when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 6f handicap on this afternoon’s card at Ayr (16.30).
The David O’Meara trained gelding went down by just 3/4 of a length to Normandy Barriere in a competitive 21-runner handicap at Ascot and looked an unlucky loser.
After being held-up well off the pace, Intisaab was scything through the pack when denied a clear run a furlong from home and had to be switched before finishing with a real rattle to be gaining all the way to the line.
It was a cracking effort given how the race panned out, and the form reads extremely well in the context of this weaker contest.
Although now 2lb higher in the weights, the five-year-old’s last win came off his revised rating of 80 so Intisaab remains well-treated on the pick of his form.
Hydrant weighted to strike
In the 1m 2f handicap (15.00), Hydrant can take advantage of a drop in the weights to get back to winning ways.
The Richard Guest trained 10-year-old came good at this time last year when landing a hat-trick, with the last of those successes coming over course and distance where he bolted up by six lengths off a mark of 68.
Hydrant went on to finish a fine runner-up off 74, and is now able to off a reduced rating off just 56.
That is a massive 12lb lower than when last successful and a career-low, and gives the veteran outstanding claims from a handicapping perspective.
Hydrant also comes into the contest having shaped as if returning to form last time out over 1m 1f at the track when fourth to the thriving Millefiori and will appreciate the step back up in trip.
Ayr Selections:
14.00: Masham Star
14.30: Glengarry
15.00: Hydrant (NB)
15.30: Cymraeg Bounty
16.00: Gold Flash
16.30: Intisaab (NAP)
17.00: Chauvelin
Angelic Guest a Brighton beauty
Trainer Mick Channon has his team in flying form and Angelic Guest can cash-in what looks a lenient mark to provide him with another winner in the 1m handicap on today’s card at Brighton (16.45).
The filly has only had three starts and shaped really well on the first of those when fourth of 12 to Fadillah at Haydock.
After racing in touch, Angelic Guest was denied a clear run a furlong from home but then stayed on nicely without being unduly knocked about to be beaten just two lengths.
The winner is a useful sort who has scored again since and is now rated 79, and the third home Golden Glimmer has also gone on to taste success.
Given that Angelic Guest finished just a short-head behind Golden Glimmer, who is now rated 84, it makes her opening handicap mark of 68 look very exploitable.
The daughter of Dark Angel is certainly bred to be better than it, being a sister to smart miler Sovereign Debt, and this weak looking class 5 contest represents a nice opportunity for Angelic Guest to open her account.
Commanche on the warpath
In the 6f handicap (14.45), Commanche can capitalise on a drop in the weights to get back on the scoresheet.
The Chris Dwyer trained gelding is a course and distance winner was last successful at Leicester 10 months ago when scoring by 1 1/4 length under jockey Silvestre De Sousa off a mark of 67.
Commanche got put up to 71 for that victory and failed to make the frame in his next eight starts.
However, the seven-year-old is now able to race off a mark of just 59 as a result and comes into the race on the back of two improved efforts.
After finishing third in a decent claimer at Windsor, Commanche got no luck in-running when a tenderly handled seventh of 16 at Lingfield.
Those runs suggest the son of Sleeping Indian is ready to strike, and with SDS once again in the saddle Commanche looks to have plenty going for him.
Brighton selections:
14.15: Bayston Hill
14.45: Commanche (NB)
15.15: Nigel
15.45: Steppe Daughter
16.15: Tyrannical
16.45: Angelic Guest (NAP)
17.15: Ashford Island
Related
Coral’s top tip: Intisaab ran a blinder last time out and can emulate that form to claim the 16.30 at Ayr at 3/1.
