3.50 Ayr
Humidor 66/1
George Baker's 6 year old sprinter is a very decent animal on his day and I think he's going to really appreciate the step up to 6f on soft ground having bagged what looks the pick of the draw in stall 27. A very admirable servant to connections, this 6 time winner's career highlight undoubtedly came when a strong finishing 4th in last years Nunthorpe and although he's winless in over 2 years he seems to retain all his enthusiasm for the game. For the most part, Humidor has ran consistently well this season without quite making the frame and this well travelled individual looks to be on a decent mark of 102 in this ultra competitive handicap. Having started off the year with an excellent 4th in Meydan over 6f off a mark of 109 back in March, Humidor returned to the UK with an very decent 2nd to the talented Spirit Quartz in a Conditions Race at Nottingham back in April. He then was sent to France for his next 2 starts when running very credibly on both occasions when a fast finishing 2L beaten 7th at Longchamp over 5f in a Group 3 and he was also beaten about the same distance in a Listed Race at Maisons-Laffittes back in June. He was perhaps a little disappointing on his last couple of starts but neither were awful efforts either. He was staying on in the Stewards Cup (would never have been involved) when hampered off a mark of 104 last month and on the face of it he looked like he spurned a good opportunity to get back into the winners enclosure when only 3rd in a Conditions Race at 10 days ago. Sent off a 7/4 shot over 5f at Leicester on good to firm ground, Humidor was held out the back of the 5 runner field and he found the pace too quick for him before staying on to be a 2L beaten 3rd.
On his website the next day, George Baker says he needs it "proper soft" to be effective over the minimum trip these days and I definitely agree as he has been seen to run on strongly on many of his races over 5f on good ground. Although still a very talented individual, at 6 years old he probably just doesn't have the speed at the top level over 5f anymore and I think he'll relish the return to 6f today. Additionally, I think the soft underfoot conditions will be very much to his liking as well and I think his current price of 66/1 looks a bit ridiculous. Judged on today's sprints at Ayr, high numbers seem to be favoured and given that both big sprint winners came directly against the stands side rail Humidor could not be berthed in a better position than stall 27 if tomorrow follows the same trend. Trainer George Baker has his form in absolutely superb form at the moment with 8 winners in the last 2 weeks and I'm hoping he has Humidor spot on for this today. Pat Cosgrave takes the ride in this ultra competitive handicap and if Humidor is going make the frame he's undoubtedly going to need luck in running. A very talented animal on his day, I think a mark of 102 is one that Humidor can win off and hopefully he can run a really big race at a huge, huge price. Of the others, I think Baccarat 9/1 has a big run in him and I think Keith Dalgleish's 135k French import Lover Man 28/1 looks on a fair mark of 101 on his British debut.
Humidor 66/1
George Baker's 6 year old sprinter is a very decent animal on his day and I think he's going to really appreciate the step up to 6f on soft ground having bagged what looks the pick of the draw in stall 27. A very admirable servant to connections, this 6 time winner's career highlight undoubtedly came when a strong finishing 4th in last years Nunthorpe and although he's winless in over 2 years he seems to retain all his enthusiasm for the game. For the most part, Humidor has ran consistently well this season without quite making the frame and this well travelled individual looks to be on a decent mark of 102 in this ultra competitive handicap. Having started off the year with an excellent 4th in Meydan over 6f off a mark of 109 back in March, Humidor returned to the UK with an very decent 2nd to the talented Spirit Quartz in a Conditions Race at Nottingham back in April. He then was sent to France for his next 2 starts when running very credibly on both occasions when a fast finishing 2L beaten 7th at Longchamp over 5f in a Group 3 and he was also beaten about the same distance in a Listed Race at Maisons-Laffittes back in June. He was perhaps a little disappointing on his last couple of starts but neither were awful efforts either. He was staying on in the Stewards Cup (would never have been involved) when hampered off a mark of 104 last month and on the face of it he looked like he spurned a good opportunity to get back into the winners enclosure when only 3rd in a Conditions Race at 10 days ago. Sent off a 7/4 shot over 5f at Leicester on good to firm ground, Humidor was held out the back of the 5 runner field and he found the pace too quick for him before staying on to be a 2L beaten 3rd.
On his website the next day, George Baker says he needs it "proper soft" to be effective over the minimum trip these days and I definitely agree as he has been seen to run on strongly on many of his races over 5f on good ground. Although still a very talented individual, at 6 years old he probably just doesn't have the speed at the top level over 5f anymore and I think he'll relish the return to 6f today. Additionally, I think the soft underfoot conditions will be very much to his liking as well and I think his current price of 66/1 looks a bit ridiculous. Judged on today's sprints at Ayr, high numbers seem to be favoured and given that both big sprint winners came directly against the stands side rail Humidor could not be berthed in a better position than stall 27 if tomorrow follows the same trend. Trainer George Baker has his form in absolutely superb form at the moment with 8 winners in the last 2 weeks and I'm hoping he has Humidor spot on for this today. Pat Cosgrave takes the ride in this ultra competitive handicap and if Humidor is going make the frame he's undoubtedly going to need luck in running. A very talented animal on his day, I think a mark of 102 is one that Humidor can win off and hopefully he can run a really big race at a huge, huge price. Of the others, I think Baccarat 9/1 has a big run in him and I think Keith Dalgleish's 135k French import Lover Man 28/1 looks on a fair mark of 101 on his British debut.
