TimeformBlog

We kick off with the evocatively-named Rasputin in the opening seven-furlong maiden at Ayr, the same course and distance that Michael Dods's juvenile made his debut over just two weeks ago. Rasputin actually had the reopposing Joshua The First a neck in front when a promising third that day, however, the inexperience that he showed there suggests there's every likelihood that he'll have no trouble reversing the placings with a horse who was having his sixth start already. What's more, with the opposition looking nothing out of the ordinary and his trainer saddling a winner on Saturday, it will be disappointing if Rasputin isn't good enough to break his maiden today.

We stay at Ayr, where the aforementioned recent Dods winner (Spinatrix) will actually be in opposition when our second selection, Hardrock Diamond, lines up in the closing sprint handicap. There was little to recommend Hardrock Diamond in three starts in maidens for his previous trainer, however, a change of yard and the switch to handicapping (off a lowly 46), did the trick at Hamilton last time where he finished a close third to the extremely well-handicapped Boundless Spirit. That staying-on effort over five-furlongs suggest he'll be well suited by the step up to six and he's expected to go close for a trainer-jockey combination that have a 25% strike rate at the track.

Our third and final selection isn't set to appear till late evening but Mina's Boy should be worth waiting for in the staying handicap at Beverley. Like Hardrock Diamond, three runs in maidens merely hinted that Mina's Boy had ability rather than screamed it, yet the shift to handicap company saw him produce an improved performance when fifth to the progressive Kepler's Law at Nottingham last time. The mile-and-three-quarter trip he tackled that day was a big trip hike from his first three runs but the way he stayed on (in keeping with his pedigree) suggest he could improve again for the step up to two miles and he stands out in a race short on potential.

Recommendations
Back Rasputin @ 3.45 Ayr 14:30
Back Hardrock Diamond @ 4.3 Ayr 17:30
Back Mina's Boy @ 4.2 Beverley 20:30

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