Alan Thomson’s Tips: Chance to Dream has big chance

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CHANCE TO DREAM (7.45) wouldn’t want the ground teeth-rattling fast at Windsor but as long as there is no jar he can serve it up to hot favourite What A Welcome.

Chance To Dream edged out Zorro over course and distance and the third, fifth and sixth horses have since come out and won. And the horse also scored at Windsor over a mile last May (good to soft) and a 4lb rise for his latest victory isn’t severe.

What A Welcome is chasing a five-timer but has been raised 8lb for his Sandown success which makes life tougher. Nazzaa wasn’t disgraced at Nottingham when fourth to Scottish Summit.

JACKPOT ROYALE (8.45) should be worth the wait in the finale. Mick Appleby’s gelding may have met a well-handicapped rival when runner-up to Hombre Casado at Nottingham in May and fourth home Brexitmeansbrexit went on to run a cracker in much better company at York, finishing a close third to market leaders Desert Diamond and Akvavera.

Ed Walker trains Hombre Casado and saddles Grace’s Secret here with a chance on her fifth to Qaswarah at Chepstow. Third horse Maid Up has won since at Donny.

Mankind ran better than his fourth to Simply Breathless would suggest as he was badly hampered when headed a furlong out. He should ensure a solid pace.

In-form Jim Goldie saddles 12 runners at Ayr this evening and he’ll be disappointed not to leave with a winner.

I’m hoping LOTARA (9.00) will bring the curtain down on a successful meeting. She ran well at this fixture last year when fourth to Love Oasis off a significantly higher mark in a Class 5 handicap over six furlongs and now drops into Class 6 company over a further furlong.

The six-year-old hinted her turn was close at hand four days ago at Hamilton when a close-up fourth to Logi over six furlongs, keeping on well at the finish. She finished six lengths behind form horse Rebel State at Musselburgh two runs ago and is now 10lb better off.

That might be enough to turn the tables and Lotara, a winner over 7f at Newcastle in November, could be the better each-way option from a handy draw.

The bookies are taking no chances with ex-Irish top weight Motahassen and last week’s shock Fairyhouse winner Hey Pretty.

A parcel of rogues has assembled for the 1m 7f handicap and BRAES OF LOCHALSH (8.30) isn’t noted for his consistency.

However, he chased home Iain Jardine’s Vercingetorix in this event last year off a 12lb higher rating and again ran one of his best races when second to stablemate Euchen Glen over 1m 5f here 18 days later.

This might be the time of year to catch Braes Of Lochalsh at Ayr, especially with Danny Tudhope on top.

Archibelle is a trier and must be feared for local trainer R Mike Smith, while Elite Icon and Manomine could take a hand if in the right mood. Elite Icon is particularly interesting with trainer Iain Jardine really hitting full stride in the past week or so.

Goldie has runners scattered across the sprints and it is Sod’s Law one will pop up unsupported. They look too difficult races to solve from where I’m sitting.

In the Class 4 handicap over seven furlongs, Richard Fahey must have positive vibes about LUIS VAZ DE TORRES (7.30) supplementing his narrow victory over Mango Chutney at Wetherby (soft) in April. He is only 2lb higher which is very fair, although some ease in the ground would increase confidence.

Recommended Bets

• Windsor 7.45 – Chance To Dream (11-4, bet365)
• Windsor 8.45 – Jackpot Royale (6-1, Ladbrokes)
• Ayr 9.00 – Lotara (12-1, bet365)
• Ayr 8.30 – Braes Of Lochalsh (9-1, Paddy Power)
• Ayr 7.30 – Luis Vaz De Torres (100-30, McBookie)

Johnb's Monday Tips

• Listowel 1.30 – Timetoget 4-1 paddy power NB
• Leicester 2.10 – Zip 15-2 paddy power ew 1/5 odds 4 places
• Leicester 2.10 – Zip to place 11-10 paddy power (4 places) NAP

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