AYR 15:42 6o5659

Non Runners: BYSTANDER (IRE). Race Distance Adjustment: +24 yds

Time: 2m 8.45s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.3s (108%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100.8%

This certainly looked a competitive race on paper and that's exactly how it panned out, though a steady gallop that led to a bunched finish with the outsider of the field prevailing from out of the handicap suggests the form probably won't prove the most robust.

FINANCER was in much the toughest handicap he's run in to date but made light of being out of the weights as he resumed his progress after a blip or 2, the return to firmer ground perhaps key; missed the break but soon in touch, went with zest, produced to lead just inside final 1f, always just holding on under largely hands and heels.

BENNETOT (IRE) back up in trip, continues in fine heart, always just a step behind the winner in a steadily-run affair and unable to quite bridge the gap; soon steadied, headway under 2f out, ran on.

DARK MOON RISING (IRE) isn't the easiest to get to run straight, though it was more than just his own doing that meant he charted an errant path this time, and he could even go down as a shade unfortunate not to collect; mid-field, headway when lugged left/carried further that way and forced to switch over 1f out, forced to switch again entering last ½f, stayed on, nearest at the finish.

MARHABA THE CHAMP has slipped in the weights and bounced back to form; led, edged right over 2f out, headed final 1f, no extra only late on; he's hardly the most consistent and it remains to be seen if he backs this up.

HAVE SECRET (IRE) was strong in the betting in first-time visor after just 5 days off and ran his race yet again but wasn't done any favours by a rare mis-step at the start, leaving him wide throughout from the outside stall; missed the break, mid-division, progress under 2f out, threatened briefly, plugged on.

ARTHUR'S REALM (IRE) shaped similarly to last time in a race not run to suit; steadied at the start, dropped out, crept slightly closer before halfway, effort under 3f out, plugged on final 1f, never nearer, would have benefited from a stronger gallop.

POL ROGER (IRE) found it tougher in a better race than usual; chased leader, carried right over 2f out, forced to switch soon after, not quicken final 1f.

BARLEY (IRE) couldn't get competitive back up in trip; held up, effort under 3f out, not unduly punished, never landed a blow.

AVIEMORE struggled after just 6 days off, the quick turnaround having won in the Chester mud perhaps one factor, while the empahsis on speed back on much firmer ground in a much better race was another; in touch, shaken up around 3f out, outpaced from 2f out.

OVIEDO (IRE) in first-time visor and tongue strap, continues to struggle to get near his stellar 3-y-o form; chased leaders, took strong hold, effort around 2f out, weakening when hampered 1f out.

BUST A MOVE (FR) had presumably had an issue at/since Newmarket and looked rusty after 5 months off, a bit out of his depth in this grade, too; patiently ridden, hung left under 2f out, not knocked about, never involved; he's not one to write off back on softer ground with this under his belt.