TERTIUM, who has suffered something of a hangover since finishing last when favourite for the Magnet Cup in July, can stage a dramatic return to the winner's enclosure at Ayr today.
Martin Wane's four-year-old was a popular order in the summer when running with credit in valuable handicaps.
But in the Magnet Cup he was held up in the rear as the result of a tardy start, and when asked to improve his position by Jimmy Fortune approaching the final three furlongs he was soon done with, finishing tailed of last of the 17 competitors.
His next three starts saw him perform with little distinction but he put up a much more encouraging effort at Doncaster last Saturday when a close eighth to Gladys Althorpe.
Never far away, Tertium was short of room when making headway entering the final quarter mile, had his path blocked again a furlong from home but kept on to be beaten in the region of two lengths.
That was a much better showing than he had given of late, and Tertium is napped to collect the £25,000 added Ladbrokes Ayr shire Handicap.
Miss Stamper, who is proving very well bought indeed at 10,000 guineas as a yearling, looks a cast iron bet for the Listed Shadwell Stud Firth of Clyde Stakes.
Richard Hannon's Distinctly North filly has won her last four races, including the Weatherbys Super Sprint, an £18,000 nursery at Newmarket and the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh.
She captured each in good style and still looks to be on the up grade. Fast ground and six furlongs clearly suit her well and Miss Stamper can complete a five timer.
At Newbury, the £15,000-added Haynes, Hanson And Clark Conditions Stakes should go to Haltarra. A Zilzal half-brother to 1995 Derby, King George and Arc winner Lammtarra, Haltarra put up a promising first effort when second to Fantastic Fellow in a York maiden last month looking noticeably short of experience. He will come on a good deal and can go one better.
