Haajes to continue Midgley's fine season

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 09.07.2012

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Paul Midgley is enjoying a real breakthrough season and his consistent Haajes is selected to land Ayr's feature Isle Of Skye 8yo Blended Whisky Handicap at 2.30.

The veteran 8-y-o has yet to win this season but returned to his peak form with an eyecatching strong-finishing Carlisle second and was not far off that level when fourth at Doncaster (6f). He will relish this return to 5f and the eased ground will be ideal with the yard still in cracking fettle.

Main danger for the £10,300 prize money comes from the prolific topweight Head Space. Ruth Carr's 4-y-o is a sprint handicapper in the form of his life, winning at Newcastle (5f) and here (6f) in June. However, this improvement has come on much livelier ground, and he has now to prove himself in testing conditions from a career high mark.

Tim Easterby's Hazelrigg has been called a few names in the past and certainly needs producing right at the last moment, but is back to his best of late, narrowly denied by Judge'N Jury at York and again touched-off in second spot over this course and distance 16 days ago. He is tried in different headgear now and, if the hood helps his attitude, he is sure to be bang there in a bid to snap an expensive sequence of 18 straight defeats.

Rothesay Chanser scored three times in 2011 but was behind a couple of these on his penultimate start and a Newcastle fourth confirms that the handicapper seems firmly in control of matters, while Mayoman bids to bounce back from a disappointing effort at York (run rather blocked but still below par).

At a bigger price perhaps Crimson Knot will outrun his odds. Alan Berry has had a poor season but a couple of recent winners have lifted the gloom, and this consistent type is well treated in relation to Head Space on form earlier in the season. The 4-y-o may have found the run coming too soon in a muddling Hamilton event last time out and, with his regular rider Matthew Hopkins taking off a handy 7lb, he is an each-way alternative to our choice at a course where he has a good record.

In summary, a typically tight sprint handicap where fortune in running will play a part. Haajes has dropped a few hints of late and can swoop in the closing stages under Ned Curtis. At around 7-1 this morning he is worthy of a decent win investment.

Stephen's Monday Nap Megamunch 2.00 Ayr

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