Racing: Glenalmond lays down Ebor marker at Ayr

GLENALMOND is likely to be given the chance to test his powers in Pattern company at next month’s Ebor meeting at York after the well-related juvenile got his career off to a winning start in the sunshine at Ayr yesterday.

Porthos Du Vallon goes clear en route to winning at Ayr. Picture: John Grossick

The Iffraaj colt is certainly bred for the job as a full brother to Group One-winning two-year-old Wootton Bassett, a horse produced and sold by Glenalmond’s owner-breeders Colin and Melba Bryce.

By chance, Wootton Basset also made a successful start to his career at Ayr and Glenalmond was an 11-8 favourite to follow in his sibling’s hoof prints in the Maiden Stakes.

Never too far off the speed in the hands of Daniel Tudhope, Karl Burke’s youngster quickened up to lead heading inside the last of six furlongs and although he idled close home, he passed the post with half a length in hand over My Dream Boat.

Burke said: “He’s a horse who has shown us a decent level of ability at home, but although he was mentally ready to run, I think he’ll go on to improve physically throughout the year and he should make a nice three-year-old next season.

“He’s in the Gimcrack Stakes at York and there is also the option of the Acomb Stakes at the same meeting if we decide to go up to seven furlongs.

“It will be one or the other of those two races for him next, I would have thought.”

Tudhope was narrowly denied a double in the feature event of the day as a late thrust by his mount Ingleby Angel was not quite enough to reel in Muharrer in the Daily Record Handicap.

The Michael Dods-trained winner was a 7-1 shot following a decent run in defeat at the track a month ago and stuck on well in the hands of apprentice Connor Beasley to take the £22,500 contest by a neck.

Paul Mulrennan brought up his half century for the season by guiding Dandy Nicholls-trained 3-1 favourite Layla’s Hero to a clear-cut victory in the Ayrshire Post Handicap.

Bunce (15-2) clinched the Polyflor Handicap for Scottish trainer Linda Perratt and in-form jockey PJ McDonald.

The six-year-old is having a busy summer having run four times in June and this was his fourth run in July, just three days after his latest appearance at Hamilton.

P J McDonald is looking forward to some decent rides at Musselburgh today when his mounts include Geanie Mac in the fourth race.

Linda Perratt’s mare is up against six rivals in the Download The Racing UK iPad App Handicap (Qualifier for £15,000 Betfair Scottish Stayers Series Final).

Ex-jump jockeyalso partners bottom-weight Flash City for Ruth Carr in the racinguk.com/anywhere, 3 Devices, 1 Price Handicap.

McDonald said: “I think he has a great chance. He reared up in the stalls at Haydock over the weekend and if he breaks better he should take all the beating.”