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.
AFTER going close in Saturday’s Betfred Derby, Roger Varian could go one better with Lil’ Frank in the opening Every Race Live On Racing TV Maiden Stakes at Ayr on Monday.
Epsom runner-up King Of Steel came with half a length of landing the Premier Classic and Lil’ Frank, a 200,000gns son of the mighty Frankel, will be fancied to take care of his six rivals under Jack Mitchell.
Varian has a handsome track strike-rate of 34% (11-32) with his Newmarket raiders while Mitchell has ridden three winners at the west of Scotland venue.
Lil’ Frank has finished second in two of his three career runs so far and the main threat is likely to come in the shape of Tajawal, also sired by Frankel, who recorded good form ratings with his third-placed efforts at Wolverhampton and Sandown this spring.
Scottish handlers dominate the Take That Tribute At Western House Handicap over 1m 7f with all six declared runners trained north of the border.
Only Red Missile and Baez don’t boast course winning form and first-time blinkered Grand Canal could hold the key for red-hot Jim Goldie, who is set for a busy afternoon as he has 15 runners to saddle.