TRYING to select the winner of today's 28-runner £20,000 Ayr Silver Cup is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack, however, at least in siding with John O'Groats (3.10) we have a horse probably at the peak of his powers.
Trainer Michael Dods has clearly been eyeing the silverware for some time and he appears to have brought the strapping four-year-old to concert pitch just at the right time.
There was certainly plenty to like about the way John O'Groats won at Sandown last Sunday.
On that occasion he cruised in behind the early leaders for the first four furlongs and then quickened nicely into the lead in the hands of Jimmy Fortune with a couple of hundred yards to go.
But the race wasn't quite over since the Mark Tompkins-trained Connect did all he could to snatch the spoils by producing a whirlwind finish.
John O'Groats would not, however, be denied, and if he's in that sort of mood this afternoon a second success within the space of a week is on the cards.
Having only run one poor race all season, Masterpoint (2.40) looks fully entitled to take his place in the line-up for the £12,000 HBG Properties Conditions Stakes.
In view of the fact that the handsome chestnut had been working so well on the home gallops, insiders at Mark Johnston's yard were stunned when Masterpoint was narrowly beaten on his debut at Carlisle in May.
Fortunately compensation was just around the corner as he romped to victory on his next start over six furlongs at Newmarket.
The Middleham-based raider has been out just twice since, flopping when highly-tried in the Group 2 Scottish Equitable Stakes at York, prior to a far more encouraging run when fourth back at the Knavesmire earlier on this month.
The selection got outpaced mid-way through his latest start before staying on strongly inside the final furlong.
Trainer Johnston, who rarely misses a trick in such instances, has sensibly decided to up Masterpoint in trip to seven furlongs, a tactic likely to be repaid in spades at the Scottish track.
Chris Fairhurst more often than comes up with a useful two-year-old or two and this season is no exception with the emergence of Whittle Warrior (4.20), who heads for the one mile Sotherbys Nursery.
Whittle Warrior stepped up on all previous efforts with an impressive trail-blazing win at Ripon recently.
He's been lucky with a low draw, which should mean the plucky youngster can bag the favoured far side rail and hopefully show his rivals a clean pair of heels as soon as the gates fly open.
* Janus yesterday followed up Wednesday's 9-1 nap selection Rhythym of Life with another big priced winner when 7-2 choice Earlston won the opener at Ayr.
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