Ayr Preview: Imperial Legend can make light of top weight

Ayr stage a marathon eight-race card today, and Imperial Legend looks to hold outstanding claims of making it course win number three in the 5f handicap (4.50).

Trained by Dandy Nicholls, the gelding has won two of his three starts over course and distance, and finished an excellent neck second of 24 to Hazlerigg in the Ayr Silver Cup off a mark 84 in the other.

The five-year-old scored twice last season, and also ran a very good race to be sixth of 19 to Take Cover in a class 2 contest at York off 87.

The son of Mujadil now gets into this off 85, having shaped as if coming back to form Thirsk last time out when keeping on to finish third of 15 to Tumblewind.

If he can build on that, then Imperial Legend looks the one they all have to beat in this class 3 contest.

Another course specialist is Forrest Flyer, who is very well-treated on the pick of his form in the 1m 7f handicap (4.20).

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

They include the 10-year-old’s last success, where he thrashed Goodluckin Lucy by four lengths off a mark of 60.

Forrest Flyer is now running off 2lb lower, his lowest rating in nearly five years, and that gives the son of Daylami every chance from a handicapping perspective of making it course win number seven.

In the finale on the card (5.20), Testa Rossa looks to have a big chance of providing local trainer Goldie with a double on the card.

The four-year-old often shaped better than the bare result last season when trained by John Hills, and rounded off the campaign with a solid third at Wolverhampton off a mark of 63.

The son of Oratorio is able to race off a 4lb lower mark now switched to the turf, and that gives Testa Rossa a big shout at the weights of making a winning reappearance for his new handler.

Selections:
1.50: The Wow Signal
2.20: Secret City
2.50: Novalist
3.20: Tatlisu
3.50: Spavento
4.20: Forrest Flyer (NB)
4.50: Imperial Legend (NAP)
5.20: Testa Rossa