mid-division, ridden over 2f out and smooth headway to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, headway to challenge over 2f out, gradually weakened and rallied close home
behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Small fields are the order of the day at Ayr with just five runners lining up for the opener in which the vote goes to Nukhbah, who is preferred to Another Bottle and Little Bob. The last mentioned may improve for the step up in trip but has a soft ground pedigree and may not be appreciative of the fast ground conditions. A bigger threat to the selection is likely to come from Another Bottle, who was not disgraced in a handicap at the Lincoln meeting on his reappearance but has not been seen since. The vote though goes to Nukhbah. The Lady Herries-trained filly has run up to a similar level of form in mile maidens at Windsor and Warwick on her two starts this season, on each occasion giving the impression that a step up in trip would suit. Charlie Tango is difficult to recommend on the evidence of recent form, while La Petite Chinoise has a bit to find on official BHB ratings, although may improve for the longer trip. Nukhbah makes more appeal than any of her rivals though and gets the nod.
