Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
LOCALLY-owned Novak bids to extend his winning sequence to four-in-a-row in the seven-furlong Tennent’s Lager Handicap at Ayr on Thursday evening.
Trained by in-form Iain Jardine, he has won over course and distance and at six-furlongs at the track with a strike at Hamilton Park sandwiched in the middle for good measure.
“He should have his ground as we’ve taken him out twice recently as it was too soft,” said Jardine. “He’s gone up 10lbs for his wins, which is good as the plan, given where his owner lives, was always to enter him in the Ayr Gold Cup, although, with his rating, it’s likely he’ll drop into the Bronze version.”
The 2008 Ayr Gold Cup-winning colours of Regal Parade are sported by top-weight Abduction, trained by Jim Goldie, while Linda Perratt-trained Judgement Call bids to defy a 5lb penalty imposed for his romp at Musselburgh last Friday.
Jardine also has Jkr Cobbler attempting a four-timer in the London Essence Co Handicap.
And again East Kilbride-based Miss Perratt produces some stern opposition in the shape of winning course and distance duo Chinese Spirit and Retirement Beckons.
The night gets underway with Brodie Hampson riding recent Musselburgh scorer Let Her Loose for her husband Archie Watson in the Chandon Garden Spritz Female Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap.