AYR 15:40 1y4ij

Non Runners: HONEY SWEET (IRE).

Time: 1m 10.82s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.45s (99.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 141%, Betfair SP 102%

A tremendous running of the Ayr Gold Cup and hard to imagine sprint handicap form coming any more reliable than this, the frame filled by some recent winners and others who have been holding their own in similar events all summer, the first 2 confirming placings from the inaugural running of the Constantine Handicap at the Ebor meeting, Summerghand bouncing back to his very best under a penalty for that; the field raced in 2 main groups, those drawn 1-10 going centre to far with the rest coming more centre to stands side, with the exception of Gulliver and Popmaster who came right towards the rail, those drawn very high perhaps at a bit of a disadvantage.

SUMMERGHAND (IRE) quickly confirmed himself back to his best having not been seen to best effect last time, bagging a second big sprint handicap of the season having shaped really well in a couple of others, a credit to connections to retain the ability and enthusiasm he does, but also benefiting from some lenient treatment by the handicapper along the way, this success gained from a mark 10 lb lower than he contested the race from last year; dropped out, went with zest, effort over 2f out, had to weave way through over 1f out, quickened to lead late on.

COMMANCHE FALLS has found only Summerghand too strong on both starts since his repeat win in the Stewards' Cup, beating the 37 other rivals he's come up against, holding his form remarkably well considering the races he's contesting; close up, pushed along from halfway, led over 1f out, headed close home.

JUAN LES PINS confirmed himself still in form just 6 days on from not being seen to best effect at Doncaster, this not really getting to the bottom of him either given his strength at the finish; held up, travelled well, pushed along over 2f out, ran on late; he's already come a long way for these connections but he might not have peaked yet.

LUCKY MAN (IRE) had a bit to find under a penalty and ran at least as well in defeat as when winning at York, confirming himself not just a course specialist at that venue; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on.

MR WAGYU (IRE) had been beaten only narrowly at the Curragh last weekend and again ran well; led group, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on; he's most likeable.

BERGERAC (IRE) had his winning run ended under a penalty for his win at the Ebor meeting but continues at the top of his game, again showing a really good attitude under pressure; led group, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra only late on.

IRAL D (IRE) wasted no time getting back to form, this as well as he's run all season, but the feeling is he could still go to another level when everything drops his way, a return to softer ground perhaps remaining the key; mid-field, pushed along before halfway, headway over 1f out, not quicken.

ESCOBAR (IRE) turned out again quickly, wasn't seen to best effect and probably remains in form, coping better than might have been expected with a first try at sprinting, if anything settled a bit too far back before delivering a challenge; slowly into stride, held up, pushed along 2f out, late headway.

SIR DANCEALOT (IRE) is better known as a 7f horse and needs a greater emphasis on stamina than he got here, shaping as if back in form all the same; held up, pushed along over 2f out, late headway.

CHIEFOFCHIEFS is a veteran now and wasn't at all disgraced considering the nature of the race, his consistency down the years meaning the handicapper has never relented much; held up, travelled well, effort over 2f out, kept on.

ZARZYNI (IRE) shaped as if back in form, though didn't see things out ridden more prominently; chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final 1f; he's at least as effective at 5f.

FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (IRE) had the wide-margin Silver Cup winner Dusky Lord behind him when winning at Goodwood last time but wasn't in the same form under a penalty, everything going his way there; mid-field, pushed along halfway, kept on.

TINTO probably wasn't ideally placed, on the far wing, but he's found things a bit tough in heritage events; mid-field, forced to switch 2f out, one paced.

BIELSA (IRE) won this last year from only 1 lb lower, but he hasn't been the same force this time around and continues below form, despite having a 6-week break; close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 1f.

DOCUMENTING followed a below-par effort with an even worse one, but it's a long time since he's run over a trip this sharp; chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened inside final 1f.

ALEEZDANCER (IRE) had got close to the fourth when placed at York last time but failed to repeat that effort; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 1f.

GIS A SUB (IRE) looks too high in the weights; close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out.

GULLIVER turned out again quickly, failed to repeat his Curragh form, where he'd looked like he'd have gone close with a clear run; held up, pushed along before halfway, made no impression; he's got form on decent ground, but goes very well on testing and is worth another chance to build on that Curragh promise, perhaps in the Sprint Trophy at York next month, a race he's won twice before from higher marks.

VADREAM came good last autumn but went backwards from a more encouraging effort at Newmarket last time on her belated handicap debut; patiently ridden, travelled well, pushed along over 2f out, weakened.

KHANJAR (IRE) proved to be a disappointment for the first time this season, just not giving his running; chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

MOTAGALLY after just 6 days off, failed to build on the promise of last run; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, weakened.

POPMASTER (IRE) disappointed in this race for the second year in succession, but racing right on the wing left him isolated; mid-field, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 1f out.

VOLATILE ANALYST (USA) has lost way; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, weakened.

PENDLETON in a change of headgear, again ran poorly; mid-field, pushed along before halfway, lost place over 2f out; something to prove at present.