INDIAN MUSIC goes straight back on the warpath at Ayr this afternoon having finished a never-nearer third at Catterick two days ago.

Poor old Indian Music (4.00) didn't really have a prayer at Catterick where the ultra-sharp five furlong course was all against him. In fact he did remarkably well to get so close to the leaders having been right out with the washing at the halfway stage of the contest.

The significance of Indian Music's power-packed finish has not been lost on trainer Alan Berry, who has wasted no time whatsoever in stepping his speedster up to the far more suitable trip of six furlongs at the Scottish track.

On a point of handicapping the selection is also more than well-in at the weights having prevailed at Musselburgh last term off a mark of 63. He has since plunged to 50, despite having won on the sand at Wolverhampton earlier on this month, a rating off which Indian Music must have a terrific shout in the £5,000 Weatherbys Bank Handicap.

There have been some suggestions in the press that professional female jockeys should receive a weight allowance from their male counterparts. One promising young rider with the potential to benefit from such a scheme is Leanne Kershaw, due to partner Aberkeen (2.55) in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap.

Leanne has Aberkeen to thank for kick-starting her career back in January when the pair won twice on the all-weather track at Southwell. Jedd O'Keeffe's near veteran was later successful on turf at Doncaster and following a lengthy summer break again ran well at Hamilton recently.

Joe Fanning is thankfully back and riding winners having been sidelined for about three weeks with a broken bone in his hand.

Fanning has been snapped up by Willie Haggas to partner Sociable (3.25), a filly with bags of ability who somehow keeps on finding one or two too good. Joe is particularly deft at finessing fillies, so maybe his tender touch can bring out the best in Sociable.

Over at Chester Deceitful's known ability to handle the track could be the decisive factor in the outcome of the most valuable race of the day, the £20,000 Showcase Handicap.

Deceitful bagged an even bigger prize last time out when successful in the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, demonstrating just what excellent fettle David Evans' gelding is in at present.

Amanda Perrett normally unearths at least a couple of useful juveniles every year and she looks to come up with the goods yet again with Sandown raider Rainwashed Gold (3.15).

Rainwashed Gold (3.15) confirmed the promise of his debut second when streaking away with a one mile maiden at Newmarket earlier in the month. The colt admittedly now takes a considerable hike in class for the Tony Lakin Stakes, although I for one don't believe that it will end his winning sequence.

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