'He has his moments' - Goldie optimistic as Ayr double boosts strike-rate

Monday: Ayr

Jim Goldie's excellent form continued as Water Of Leith landed the 5f handicap to secure a first victory since returning to the yard.

The four-year-old recorded two wins from four starts during his first spell with Goldie and, after a long stint with Rebecca Menzies, gained a third success since rejoining under Paul Mulrennan.

"That's three wins and a second from six runs for us – not a bad strike-rate," said Goldie. "He has his moments, he's never straightforward, but we've managed to handle him before and have managed it again."

The victory was the second leg of a quickfire double for Goldie after Ayr Poet snapped a 12-race losing sequence in the 1m2f handicap, also ridden by Mulrennan.

"Ayr Poet did it well, he's been going the right way recently and he's turned the corner again – hopefully he can win another couple."

The double moves Goldie to 37 winners for the season, nine behind his best ever tally of 46 in 2014, and by his own admission he is striking at the perfect time.

"We're buzzing, the horses are running well and the middle of the summer is a good time to hit form — onwards and upwards hopefully.

"We could do with a few big races, the difference in prize-money can make the whole season."

Feature success

The feature 1m2f handicap went the way of the Keith Dalgleish-trained What's The Story, who was given a tactically-astute front-running ride by Callum Rodriguez.

It was a first win since August 2019 for the eight-year-old, who was contesting Class 3 company for only the fourth time in his career.

Results, replays and analysis

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