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Alfa Kellenic to continue winning spree at Ayr

Written by Press Association | Jul 14, 2024 2:35:31 PM

Alfa Kellenic can stretch her winning sequence to four in the feature Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap at Ayr on Monday.

Craig Lidster's filly showed plenty of promise on the all-weather over the winter, breaking her duck at the third attempt in emphatic fashion at Newcastle in mid-January.

However, after being given a five-month break, she has taken her form to a whole new level since switching to turf, starting with a smooth success at Thirsk.

Alfa Kellenic's subsequent victory in a competitive York handicap was even more impressive and she can stay one step ahead of the assessor despite an admittedly substantial 9lb rise in the ratings.

Water Of Leith is backed to make a triumphant return to the Scottish circuit in the Afternoon Tea At Western House Hotel Handicap.

Jim Goldie's sprinter won twice in the space of five days here a couple of years ago and remains well handicapped on the best of his form.

The six-year-old reverts to turf following three successive placed efforts on the all-weather and another bold bid is anticipated if he is fit enough to do himself justice after a break.

Liberty Coach catches the eye in the Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap.

John and Sean Quinn's three-year-old has finished third on each of his three outings in maiden company and has to be of interest as he enters the handicap arena off what looks a workable mark of 74.

Bold Impact should prove hard to beat if he handles the ground in the Trust Trailfinders With All Your Travels, EBF Novice Stakes at Windsor.

Ralph Beckett's youngster shaped with abundant promise when third on his debut at Newmarket, making late gains after a tardy start to place third behind the exciting Ancient Truth.

A reproduction of that run may well see Bold Impact get off the mark at the second time of asking and he really ought to improve.

Mezzo Soprano is the pick in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap. Simon and Ed Crisford's filly was three from three as a three-year-old last term and was only narrowly denied on her comeback at Thirsk last month, going down by 0.5-lengths to the race-fit Mereside Diva.

Mezzo Soprano should strip fitter for that run and with William Buick back in the saddle, she should make her presence felt.

Over the jumps at Newton Abbot, Evan Williams' Boyles Hill could be a value bet against the Willie Mullins-trained Mr Escobar in the Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle.

The Irish point-to-point winner was a solid second in a Ffos Las bumper on his first start for new connections and ran well for a long way when finishing third over obstacles at the same track at the end of May. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

AYR: Race 1: 15.18 Arbitration, Race 2: 15.53 Island Of Skye, Race 3: 16.28 ALFA KELLENIC (NAP), Race 4: 17.03 Water Of Leith, Race 5: 17.35 Makalu, Race 6: 18.10 Liberty Coach.

NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 15.30 Boyles Hill, Race 2: 16.05 In This World, Race 3: 16.40 Winterwatch, Race 4: 17.15 Begin The Luck, Race 5: 17.50 Getmetothemoon, Race 6: 18.25 Bushmill Boy, Race 7: 18.55 Back In The Bay.

WINDSOR: Race 1: 18.15 Siegen, Race 2: 18.45 Bold Impact, Race 3: 19.20 Under Siege, Race 4: 19.50 Amphius, Race 5: 20.20 Mezzo Soprano, Race 6: 20.50 Lunatick, Race 7: 21.20 Fast Steps, Race 8: 21.50 Due To Henry.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.40 Heart Of The City, Race 2: 19.10 Giorgio M, Race 3: 19.40 Coconut Bay, Race 4: 20.10 Ustath, Race 5: 20.40 Starshine Legend, Race 6: 21.10 Coast, Race 7: 21.40 Notre Dame.

ALL TO COME: Alfa Kellenic (Ayr, Race 3) and Bold Impact (Windsor, Race 2).