2:30 – Ayr – ISLE OF SKYE 8YO BLENDED WHISKY HANDICAP (CLASS 3) (3yo+ 0-95) Soft 5f
Head Space who was previously trained in Ireland By Jim Bolger has certainly settled in well to his new surroundings at Ruth Carr’s yard and is still improving as a handicap sprinter. The 4 year old bay gelding who cost his new yard £5,000 in the Tattersalls Horses in Training sale last October has won twice from eight starts for his new yard, with both of his wins coming in his last three starts.
The going at Ayr is Soft and Head Space appears to be versatile as far as the going is concerned. Although he has yet to win in Soft ground he did finish a fast finishing 4th at Doncaster in April in Heavy ground and he was 3rd two starts back again at Doncaster in Good to Soft going when only ½ length behind the winner.
Head Space runs over 5 furlongs this afternoon and in his three runs on turf over the distance he has won twice and been placed once. His wins were on Good and Good to Firm going and his placed effort was in Heavy ground. His only run at Ayr to date was over 6 furlongs on his last start 17 days ago when he was switched off at the back of the field and when his rider shook his reins before 1 furlong out, he picked up immediately and shot clear to win by 2 ¼ lengths even jumping the winning line.
He has struck up a good partnership with James Sullivan who has ridden him on his last four starts when he has won twice and been placed twice. James is riding well at the moment with 4 winners from 22 rides over the last 14 days, with three of his wins coming for Ruth Carr in just eight rides.
Head Space is certainly going to find things tougher today as the handicapper has put him up 9lbs for his last win at Ayr. However, his trainer clearly thinks that he is up to the job as he was entered at Carlisle under a penalty but did not take up the engagement. The way he won last time out shows that he is still improving for his new yard at a rate of knots and the fact that he goes in the ground and that he has won here previously are all in his favour. A win here today will see him move further up the handicap and his short term aim appears to be the Class 2 Steward’s Cup at Glorious Goodwood for which he has an entry. He will in all probability need to be rated close to 100 to get into the race and a winning performance today will see him with a reassessed mark of between 96 and 100.
