Can talented youngster Evander land a knockout blow against experienced rivals?

2.05 Ayr
Ayrshire Cancer Support Patient Transport Journeys Handicap Chase | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Talented veterans often come unstuck against younger rivals, such is the evolution of sport, and favourite backers will hope that is the case when six-year-old Evander lines up in this handicap chase against five seasoned opponents.

Lightly raced after eight starts, Evander has an abundance of untapped potential and has proved versatile with victories in a point, over hurdles (twice) and in a chase last time out.

A bold front-runner who proved this trip was no problem when making every yard at Doncaster last month, Evander may face early pace pressure from the keen-going Flowery but his jumping prowess should enable him to maintain the advantage if rider Sean Quinlan wants to dictate matters again.

Flowery is an interesting runner whose exuberance may cause the race to be run at a faster-than-ideal gallop. A model of consistency (not out of the first two in his last nine starts) since joining Iain Jardine from Ireland, Flowery is prone to the odd jumping mistake but relishes heavy ground and is a must-play in forecast permutations.

The 11-year-olds Jonniesofa and Guitar Pete have been there and done it at the top level courtesy of Graded wins back in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Official ratings indicate that they retain much of their ability and it would be folly to rule them out, although a younger rival may have the legs on them this time.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Iain Jardine, trainer of Flowery
As soon as he came over from Ireland he worked like a good horse and he's done very well since he came to us. He needs to go left-handed as he can hang, so he's a difficult ride, and Conor O'Farrell gets on very well with him. He handles the ground and the track will suit. There's no hiding place as far as the handicap goes and he is what he is but if he were to run a big race we'd aim him at something down the country, maybe a handicap at the festival.

Dream team: Conor O'Farrell and Flowery on the way to success at Sedgefield in MarchCredit: John Grossick

Nicky Richards, trainer of Guitar Pete
We were wanting to go to Cheltenham on New Year's Day but that wasn't to be, so he'll be off to Ayr instead. The handicapper knows all about him but he's in grand order, he'll handle the ground and I think he'll run a big one.

James Ewart, trainer of Charmant
It's a competitive race but we think he likes the track and that he will handle conditions. He has a top-class pilot in Brian Hughes and he hasn't got a ridiculous weight to carry. I can't say whether he's well handicapped but he ticks a lot of those boxes.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Clan Legend
The handicapper has had his say after his win at Aintree and I don't know whether there's scope for further improvement at the age of 11. That was his second run after a wind op and the first start was over two miles, just to put him right. The Aintree win was very good and this will tell us whether the wind op has made even more of a difference. It's slightly hard to imagine him winning but you never know.

Oliver Greenall, trainer of Evander
It took him a little bit of time to take to fences and Doncaster last time suited him more than the little tracks where we tried to start. A more galloping test was what he wanted and I think Ayr will suit him. My only concern is it'll be the first time he's had heavy ground but everybody who rides him and his way of going suggest it will play to his strengths.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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