Richard Birch's play of the day at Ayr
Powerful Response
3.15 Ayr
Powerful Response, who has more to offer when there is cut in the ground, can follow up a recent Nottingham victory in Ayr’s 1m2f handicap (3.15).
The son of Starspangledbanner showed nicely progressive form last summer to land Class 6 handicaps at Newcastle and Hamilton over shorter trips, and was denied his hat-trick only by the well-treated Lockdown Lass at Doncaster.
The selection idled over a furlong out after hitting the front on Town Moor and probably would have won if his challenge had been delayed a bit longer.
His running style always suggested a mile and a quarter would prove his best trip, and the step up this term has already been vindicated with that neck Nottingham win over Giselles Defence.
The Geoff Harker-trained four-year-old probably did well to win that slowly run small-field Class 5, having been posted widest of all for most of the race without cover.
This 14-runner set-up at Ayr will surely suit him better, and he has proved several times he can quicken up off a stronger pace.
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