Monday racing: Spirit Of Acklam bids to follow up at Ayr



Monday racing: Spirit Of Acklam bids to follow up at Ayr


Updated: 16.42 • 08 Aug 2026 • Racing


We send four horses to Ayr on Monday, with Spirit Of Acklam being the headline act as he tries to follow up his brave Hamilton victory.

Our first runner of the afternoon is Ring Of Gold in the Ladbrokes Get More With Racing Bet Builder Classified Stakes. He's a five time winner but all of these wins have come on the all weather and he's yet to get his head in front after 25 races on turf.

Ringo won twice at Newcastle in September 2025 and was runner up Southwell and Newcastle in January and February 2025 but he's been below par since that on turf. The classified race conditions mean he faces higher rated rivals on adverse terms in regard to weights and this is a tough assignment.
Catton Lady was last seen in selling company when she finished send of three at Beverley last month. She faced an almost impossible task at the weights as she came in behind the 82-rated Midnight Strike and she'll be better suited back in handicap company.

Joanna Mason takes the ride as Catton Lady takes top weight in the Ladbrokes Big Daily Boosts On Racing Handicap, where the locally trained Keep Me Stable looks the danger.
Spirit Of Acklam loves his trips to Scotland and on Monday he will tackle the Ladbrokes 'Get More With Ladbucks' Handicap at Hamilton Park.

The son of Cracksman has won twice at Ayr and last time out was successful on his first trip to Hamilton Park.

A total of 14 runners have been declared for the race, as our horse steps back to ten furlongs having won over 15 furlongs last time.

Joanna Mason gets along well with the son of Cracksman and takes over from apprentice Rhys Elliot who was the winning rider last time.

Raised just one pound for his Hamilton victory, the horse to beat appears to be Star Cast, who has won four of his last six starts including last time out over course and distance.

Spirit Of Acklam's Ayr form reads 131 and he runs well at the track and we hope for another good performance, and any easing of the ground conditions will be in his favour.
Last up is Head For Freedom in the six furlong handicap. A winner as a juvenile at Beverley last year he hasn't sparkled since and was fifth at Doncaster last time. He is slipping down the weights and his time will come.

Head for Freedom tackles a field of sixteen runners and is drawn out on the wing. He gets a four pound allowance and is one of three three year old taking on the older horses.


Tomorrow at Ayr
14.15
(11)
 Ring Of Gold v 7
Ladbrokes 'Get More With Racing Bet Builder' Classified Stakes
Billy Garritty
14.45
(5)
 Catton Lady 1
Ladbrokes 'Big Daily Boosts On Racing' Handicap
Joanna Mason
15.15
(9)
 Spirit of Acklam p 2
Ladbrokes 'Get More With Ladbucks' Handicap
Joanna Mason
15.45
(16)
 Head For Freedom 5
Ladbrokes 'Insure Your Acca On Football' Handicap
Joanna Mason