BOANERGES, who gained a major victory in a valuable sprint at Musselburgh in mid-summer, returns to Scotland tomorrow with an excellent chance of hitting the bull's-eye again.
Trained at Newmarket by Rae Guest, the gelding lines up for the £15,000 Tote Silver Cup - the consolation race for those horses which fail to make the cut in Saturday's Gold Cup.
Although Boanerges has failed to score since his Musselburgh success in June, he has run several good races in defeat.
On his latest outing at Kempton earlier this month, the four-year-old was beaten less than four lengths into 8th place by Torosay Spring in a 24-runner handicap.
Boanerges has good prospects of getting back on top tomorrow and is awarded the nap vote in a wide open contest.
Travelling Times, who has gone from strength to strength recently, earns the nod in the James Barr Nursery.
Tim Easterby's laid-back colt has won his last two races at York and Ripon and, although sliding up the ratings, there is every reason to believe that this progressive juvenile could still be one step ahead of the handicapper. Robert Winston has the mount.
The step up to a mile should suit Just Ern in the Scottish Nursery.
Patrick Haslam's two-year-old has shown ability in all three of his races over sprint distances and does not look overburdened on his handicap debut. He merits careful consideration.
Give An Inch has won the Hamlet Miniatures Sporran Handicap for the last two years and it would take a brave man to declare that a hat-trick is beyond Wilf Storey's out-and-out stayer.
This extended two miles is tailor-made for Give An Inch and any rain that might fall in the West of Scotland between now and tomorrow afternoon will serve only to enhance his chances.
Recent Hamilton winner Kuwait Rose has decent prospects of following-up in the Aon Claiming Stakes, while Nouf, likewise trained by Kevin Ryan at Hambleton, deserves more than a passing interest in the Faucets Fillies' Handicap.
At Newbury, the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes takes pride of place.
The £50,000 showpiece is the target for Official Flame, who made a winning debut in a traditionally warm maiden race at York last month. Trainer David Loder clearly has a high opinion of him to now step him up to Group 2 standard and the hint should be taken. Frankie Dettori has the mount.
The much-improved Priors Lodge should not be opposed lightly in the £40,000 Dubai Duty Free Cup, while Hambleden, narrowly beaten at York at the beginning of the month, is fancied to go one better in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap.
Finally, make a note of Sean Woods' Don Fernando (2.40). The two-year-old created a big impression on his debut at Sandown and looks potentially smart.
TOMORROW'S SELECTIONS
Ayr: 2-00 Travelling Times;
2-30 Jelani; 3-00 Kuwait Rose; 3-30 Boanerges (NAP);
4-00 Just Ern; 4-30 Nouf; 5-00 Give An Inch.
Newbury: 1-40 Farqad; 2-10 Priors Lodge; 2-40 Don Fernando; 3-10 Official Flame; 3-40 Stratton; 4-10 Nirvana; 4-40 Hambleden.
Updated: 12:56 Thursday, September 20, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article