GALE FORCE MAYA should run like the wind in the Listed Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes (3.10) at Ayr this afternoon.
To say the six-year-old mare has been a money spinner for owner Frank Lowe and trainer Michael Dods is an understatement – from 35 runs on turf, Gale Force Maya has collected on 11 occasions, with a further 15 podium efforts into the bargain.
Connor Beasley’s mount won for the fourth time in 2022 when beating Primo Bacio by two and a half lengths for the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York 12 days ago.
That success earned Gale Force Maya a 3lb penalty for today, but she has 5lb and upwards in hand of her rivals and is expected to live up to her status as the best horse in this race.
At Newbury, top weight should not stop MAHRAJAAN from giving a good account in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap (4.35).
William Haggas’s son of Kitten’s Joy is without a win in four visits to the track this year, but came home strongly to take third in a competitive handicap won by Farhan at York’s Ebor Festival last month.
Jim Crowley’s partner, wearing a tongue strap – the cheekpieces he sported on the Knavesmire have been left off – competes from the same British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of 99, and can break his duck for the campaign.
Friday's selections
NEWBURY
1.07 LAJOOJE
1.43 SKYSAIL
2.18 PEONY
2.53 STRAWBERRY BELLE
3.28 HIGHBANK
4.03 SHINE SO BRIGHT
4.35 MAHRAJAAN (NB)
5.05 STATELY HOME
AYR
1.25 CLARETINA
2.00 PREMIER OPTION
2.35 BOLT ACTION
3.10 GALE FORCE MAYA (NAP)
3.45 GRANTLEY HALL
4.20 AYR POET
4.50 STAR OF ST JAMES
5.20 VALLEY OF FLOWERS
NEWTON ABBOT
1.35 MR YEATS
2.10 TIME FLIES BY
2.45 BYZANTINE EMPIRE
3.20 LADY JANE P
3.55 BENANDGONE
4.30 MINELLA VOUCHER
5.00 EIRE STREET
KEMPTON PARK
4.40 REGAL RAMBLER
5.10 HEXAMETER
5.45 ROWDOWN ROZA
6.15 SOLAR ORBITER
6.45 GLOBAL WARNING
7.15 MUKHA MAGIC
7.45 PLASTIC PADDY
8.15 ALICE KITTY
DOUBLE: GALE FORCE MAYA and MAHRAJAAN