Ayr Festival fancies and a look at the Listowel feature Autumn is here and the seasonal shift brings with it a flurry of competitive handicaps to ponder as the evenings draw closer. The Ayr Gold Cup festival presents a bonanza of big betting races and BoyleSports have a terrific offer for the three days of the meeting, while Listowel continues to serve up winners at big prices. You can get €50 in free bets and your money back if your selection finishes 2nd to the SP favourite. 3.00 Ayr - Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Kilkerran Handicap What's The Story has been ultra consistent since joining Richard Fahey’s yard from Keith Dalgleish in July and is a previous course and distance winner. Last seen finishing fourth at Wolverhampton the hardened handicapper has won off higher ratings of 103, 96 and 90 in the past. Off 88 today, the nine-year-old could get his first win for the yard. Painters Palette has been in winning form, having struck on two of his last three runs and is a big threat for the Rebecca Menzies team with Frederick Larson taking 3lb off his back. Euchen Glen, former winner of the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard and John Smith's Cup at Ayr has won four times previously at the track. He carries top weight and back at his favourite course, he should be on your shortlist. 3.35 Ayr - British Stallion Studs Scottish Premier Series EBF Fillies' Handicap Irish raider Fiver Friday was a 15-length winner of an average race at Musselburgh last time out and is fancied to follow up here as she heads back across the Irish Sea. Despite being beaten on her only handicap run, she is still on a fair mark and should be in the mix. Alpha Female posted an improved effort at Kempton last time out and makes a quick comeback before she is due to go up 4lbs for that win. Golden Melody is likely to go off favourite for Tim Easterby who won this race two years ago and today's contender has been running well. Back over this trip, she can't be ruled out. 4.35 Listowel - Listowel Printing Works Handicap Trainer Gavin Cromwell has his yard in fine form and looks likely to add to his impressive recent strike rate here with Vera Verto. The daughter of Prince Of Lir is on a good mark despite finishing a very close fourth in a decent handicap at the Curragh last month. Oriole was bought out of the Ralph Beckett yard in July and has shown up well on her last two runs, including a win at Naas in August. The daughter of Nathaniel improved to finish third to Fleetfoot at Punchestown last time and is one to consider. Jabbar is in winning form having landed two on the bounce for trainers Gerard O’Leary and Darren Bunyon. The son of Galileo Gold appreciates a bit of give in the ground and is another who could strike to land the hat-trick. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org. Dunlewey.org.
