| Course: AYR | Race date:18/04/08 | Race time:2:20 | Runners:7 |
| Race distance:3m½f | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:5m 59.40s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Royale | N P Madden | C Byrnes | 11-1 | 7 | 0 | 119 | 7/4F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | ||
| Big Fella Thanks | Sam Thomas | P F Nicholls | 11-12 | 6 | 0 | 130 | 4/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | 3¼ | |
| Honour High | Felix De Giles | Lady Herries | 11-2 | 6 | 0 | 125 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 11 | |
| Mr Preacher Man | Peter Buchanan | Miss Lucinda V Russell | 10-6 | 6 | 0 | 110 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | nk | |
| Galant Nuit | Keith Mercer | Ferdy Murphy | 10-2 | 4 | 0 | 113 | 6/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | ¾ | |
| Tank Top | Brian Harding | T R George | 10-9 | 7 | 0 | 113 | 7/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 45 | |
| Quarry Town | Tom Scudamore | D E Pipe | 11-3 | 6 | 0 | 121 | 9/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | PU |
Asian Royale held up in touch, smooth headway to lead 3 out, soon hard pressed, hung left run-in, kept on well
Big Fella Thanks chased leaders, challenged 3 out to run-in, kept on same pace
Honour High chased leaders, hit 6th, led briefly approaching 3 out, outpaced from next
Mr Preacher Man close up, led briefly before 3 out, no extra before next
Galant Nuit held up, driven and outpaced before 3 out, no impression from next
Tank Top set modest gallop, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly
Quarry Town in touch, driven 7th, weakened and pulled up after 4 out
This was a decent novices' handicap and, although the pace was a largely reserved one, with the result that four of these runners had every chance turning for home.
ASIAN ROYALE is clearly a horse on the upgrade. Winner of his latest two starts in his native Ireland, and carrying a 6lb penalty for his most recent easy success at Folkestone, he travelled smoothly under restraint through this race and moved up to challenge on the bridle at the third last. Ridden from the last and edging slightly to his left, he was always pulling out enough to keep the runner-up at bay. He will not be seen out again this season, and is bound for a chasing career next term. He should prove useful at his new discipline.
Big Fella Thanks, returning after an 11-week break, ran a blinder in second on his handicap debut. He showed a good attitude from the last, but the winner proved too strong. He looks the type to make a lovely chaser and, having previously gained valuable experience in point-to-points, he probably has less to learn than some hurdler making a similar transition.
Mr Preacher Man, who may not have appreciated the testing conditions he has been running on lately, gave a more encouraging display here on this drier ground, only to be found wanting when the chips were down.
Galant Nuit ran a decent race, but Tank Top, stepping up in trip, was well beaten.
Quarry Town was in trouble half-way down the back straight and, after losing touch, was pulled-up four out.
Racing results courtesy of racing post. Please note that ever effort is made to ensure results are correct but I accept no liability for mistakes. The data is provided as a free service.
Please visit my Blog or sign up to my racing forum for the latest news and views.