Alan Thomson's Racing Tips: Nothing wacky about betting Penelope Pitstop at big price

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PENELOPE PITSTOP (5.15) should be backed each-way at a double-digit price in the finale at Ayr.

The track was riding quite fast at the weekend but heavy and persistent rain is forecast throughout the day, which looks sure to turn it soft.

That will be music to the ears of Penelope Pitstop’s connections as she handles the mud and the mare enjoys a huge turnaround at the weights with Haymarket on their running here last month.

That day Penelope Pitstop (7^th) finished two lengths and two places behind Haymarket when they were out of the frame in the race won by Take A Turn. This afternoon Penelope Pitstop is 15lb better off once Sammy Jo Bell’s 3lb claim is factored into the equation.

Penelope Pitstop started her racing life with Keith Dalgleish but she was fairly quickly shunted on to Lee Smyth in Ireland. She is only moderate (still a maiden after 35 tries!) but Smyth sent out 50-1 Ayr winner Glenbank King last month and Duncan of Scotland (runs 3.45) won here at 11-1 back in May.

Penelope Pitstop finished second to Highway Robbery in this corresponding race 12 months ago and I’m pretty sure this has been her main summer target. Okay, she is moderate and might blow out, but it is worth taking the risk at rewarding odds. Get on early.

Haymarket continues to creep up the ratings but ran another fine race here on Saturday evening when third to Remember Rocky. He won’t be far away and has bits and pieces of form on soft ground.

Iain Jardine’s Sepal is another worth mentioning on the back of her third to Taxmeifyoucan and Indian Chief at Hamilton. That form is pretty strong in the context of this race and this ex-Charlie Hills inmate looks well handicapped these days. Soft ground is an unknown but money usually talks with this stable.

SIZE MATTERS (2.15) did well from his wide draw at Thirsk to run third to Whatsthemessage and Tim Walford’s gelding has form on soft ground, finishing third to the Chris Wall-trained Flood Defence at Donny at the end of June. He’s worth an each-way dabble in another open contest.

SURE TO EXPLORE (6.50) could be the answer to a tricky 1m 4f fillies’ handicap on an interesting and above-average Wolverhampton card.

William Muir’s three-year-old beat only one home on softish ground at Bath but the form of his earlier maiden success on good to firm at Chepstow has worked out well. The winner that day, Luca Cumani’s So Sleek, won her next two races and this faster Tapeta surface should suit Sure To Explore. David Egan is great value for his 5lb claim.

African Beat, formerly with John Gosden, has had two runs for Richard Hughes and Shane Kelly takes over from a 7lb claimer. African Beat was put in her place by easy winner Winston C on her last visit here but the winner ran a fine race at Glorious Goodwood when third to Londinium.

La Vie En Rose has track form, too, but you need to forgive her last-of-three effort at Beverley, beaten 11 lengths.

Top weight Inke is most consistent but there are stamina doubts, while the handicapper seems to have put the brakes on Monaco Rose after a productive early-season campaign.

MEDALLA DE ORO (6.40) is a fairly confident selection to justify favouritism at Windsor.

Dual Derby-winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam deserves a better class of animal and he has done well with this modest handicapper. Jack Mitchell bounced out and galloped his rivals into the ground over a longer trip here last time and I’m pretty sure the same tactics will be employed.

Fanfair was found out by her new mark following back-to-back victories and the dark horse could be Mister Chow now wearing blinkers for the first time.

The afternoon card at Ripon looks decidedly trappy but a chance is taken on CULLINGWORTH (3.30).

Richard Fahey’s three-year-old started off the season in a blaze of glory, landing the Royal Mile Handicap at Musselburgh from useful Grey Britain.

Cullingworth has been highly tried since but shaped as if ready to score again in lesser grade when running seventh to D’bai at Ascot last month. The second and third horses, Pealer and Fire Brigade, have both won since and his fifth to Defoe at York wasn’t a bad effort either given the way that formline is working out.