Ayr Preview: Finn Class can gain deserved success

Finn Class has shaped well in four starts this season and can gain a deserved success in the 7f feature handicap on today’s competitive eight-race card at Ayr (15.30).

The gelding had some smart form to his name when trained by Michael Bell, with his last success coming in a class 2 handicap at Kempton off a mark of 79.

Finn Class backed that up with a cracking third of 13 to Bilimbi in the valuable class 2 Royal Mile at Musselburgh off 83, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair of 81.

That is just 2lb higher than when last successful, and the four-year-old comes into the contest having looked as good as ever this season since joining trainer Michael Dods.

Finn Class showed plenty of pace before keeping on to finish a four length four of 12 to Taghreeb in a 1m handicap at Redcar on his first start for 154 days, and backed that up with a cracking second to a thriving Al Khan at this venue.

The front two pulled 2 1/4 lengths clear of the field in the latter, and the fourth home Twin Appeal has since come out and won a competitive 15-runner contest at Doncaster to give the form a solid look.

Finn Class has since enjoyed no luck in-running in two subsequent outings, but judged on earlier efforts this looks a nice opportunity for the son of Exceed And Excel to get back into the winners’ enclosure.

In the 7f handicap (16.30), Dark Crystal looks decent value to land the spoils now reunited with jockey Joe Fanning.

The filly, who is trained locally by Linda Perratt, is a dual winner at the track and the last of those successes came under Fanning.

Dark Crystal only had to be driven out to score by a neck off a mark of 59, and went on to be placed twice off 63.

The four-year-old is now back down to 59 having failed to trouble the judge in three starts this season, and also drops down into class 6 company.

That gives Dark Crystal every chance from a handicapping perspective, and the fact that connections have called upon the services of Fanning for the first time since the pair were last successful suggests far better is now expected.

Selections:
14.30: King’s Pavilion
15.00: Hidden Rebel
15.30: Finn Class (NAP)
16.00: Tanawar
16.30: Dark Crystal (NB)
17.00: Strong Steps
17.30: Shared Equity
18.05: El Massivo