Ayr Preview: Forrest Flyer holds all the aces

Course specialist Forrest Flyer is running off his lowest mark in five years in the 1m 3f handicap at Ayr today (3.30), and looks to have an outstanding chance of further enchancing his superb record at the track.

The Jim Goldie trained veteran is a six-time winner at the venue, and four of those successes have come over this afternoon’s trip.

The 10-year-old was last successful when beat Goodluckin Lucy by four lengths off a mark of 60 last June, and now races off 3lb lower having shaped as if coming to hand last time out when third of eight to Father Shine over 1m 7f at the track.

The gelding tracked the leader until taking up the running two from home, but could then only keep on at the one pace to be beaten three lengths.

The drop back to 1m 3f looks sure to suit judged on that effort, and it looks significant that Forrest Flyer is now partnered by jockey Graham Lee, who rode him to his last success, for the first time this season.

Amazing Blue Sky is another veteran who looks weighted to go well in the 1m 2f handicap (4.00) now dropped back in trip.

The Ruth Carr trained eight-year-old has been a grand servant over the years, winning nine times.

The gelding is a tough sort who is difficult to pass when on-song, and took advantage of the handicapper’s leniency when scoring at Newcastle last June by 2 1/4 lengths off a mark of 55.

Amazing Blue Sky now gets into this off 5lb lower, and that gives him every chance at the weights.

The son of Barathea has also caught the eye in his last two starts over 1m 4f, staying on late to finish fourth on both occasions.

Those runs suggest it will not be long before Amazing Blue Sky goes in again, and it looks sigificant that connections are now dropping him back to 1m 2f over which he has notched eight of his career successes.

Trainer Keith Dalgleish has been back among the winners of late, and Lomond Lassie is fancied to provide him with another success in the 7f handicap (5.00).