Ayr Preview: Imperial looks mint in sprint handicap

Imperial Legend has an good record at Ayr and holds leading claims of enhancing it now dropped in class in the 5f handicap there today (3.20).

The Dandy Nicholls trained gelding has won two of his four starts over course and distance, and also ran a stormer over it to finish a neck second of 24 to Hazelrigg in the Ayr Silver Cup off 84.

The five-year-old now meets the winner on 5lb better terms, and that should be more than enough to reverse the placings.

Imperial Legend backed up his run in the Silver Cup with a solid sixth of 19 to Take Cover in a class 2 contest at York off 87, and now gets into this class 4 contest off just 83 having shaped as if coming back to form last time out when fourth to Line Of Reason at York.

The son of Mujadil was beaten just 2 1/4 lengths in class 3 company on the Knavesmire, and is now just 3lb higher than when winning in today’s grade at Haydock last September.

That gives Imperial Legend every chance at the weights, especially with underfoot conditions having come in his favour.

Jockey Graham Lee has a good strike rate for trainer Keith Dalgleish, and that makes Natures Law and Scots Law of interest elsewhere on the card.

Natures Law runs the 7f handicap (3.50) and is now 6lb lower in the weights than when scoring over course and distance back in October.

The filly disappointed when a well-beaten ninth of 10 over 6f at this venue last week, but had previously shaped well when fourth at Hamilton and now gets the cheek pieces fitted for the first time.

The daughter Lawman is undoubtedly well-treated if the headgear works the oracle, and the step back up to 7f is a big plus and likely to see Natures Law in a far better light.

Scots Law also looks potentially well-treated on the pick of her form in the 1m handicap (4.25).

The filly shaped with promise in three maiden runs last year, most notably when third of seven to Coral Mist on good-to-soft ground at Haydock.