KODILINE can recoup the losses of his debut reverse with victory in the Sky Bet British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Windsor.

The Kodiac colt was supported as though defeat was out of the question on his racecourse introduction a Bath a month ago, but odds-on backers had cause for concern before the race even got under way, with the youngster playing up in the starting stalls after being slow to load.

He broke perfectly well when the gates opened and looked the likely winner for much of the five-furlong journey, but was mowed down late and his pre-race antics might have just been the difference between success and an expensive failure.

It was only beaten half a length and the winner, Big Time Baby, was far from disgraced at Royal Ascot subsequently.

Kodiline will know more about his job on his second start and should prove very difficult to beat for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby.

Lucky Beggar ran his best race for a while at Newmarket last month and can snap a long losing run in the Sky Bet Windsor Sprint Series Handicap.

The Charlie Hills-trained grey was rated in excess of 100 a couple of years ago, but has steadily fallen down the ratings and now sits on a very attractive mark of 84.

He ran off that rating at Headquarters a week and a half ago and while he was no match for a resurgent Green Door, Lucky Beggar was clear best of the rest, suggesting his turn is not far away.

He won at Windsor on his only previous visit and handles soft ground, so there appear to be no excuses.

Hills might also be among the winners at Ripon, with Arcamist fancied to secure a second course success in the Sanlam Private Wealth And Guests Handicap.

The daughter of Arcano made all the running when getting off the mark at the third attempt at his track in May and she may have bumped into a useful performer in Pure Fantasy on her subsequent handicap debut at Nottingham.

A 2lb rise is fair enough, with the step up to a mile and a half likely to bring out further improvement.

Dark Defender is worth a small interest in the feature event of the afternoon at Ayr - the Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Handicap.

The three-year-old won what has turned out to be a strong nursery at York last summer off a perch of 82, with the third home, Mr Lupton (now rated 111) going on to claim a couple of lucrative victories.

With that in mind, it is disappointing Keith Dalgleish's inmate has not struck gold since, but he ran well in a first-time visor at Hamilton on his latest appearance and is dangerously well-handicapped on 78.

Dual course winner Lexington Place is the clear fly in the ointment, but the suspicion is he would prefer faster ground and Dark Defender is preferred as a result.

SELECTIONS:

AYR: 1.45 Town Charter, 2.15 Dalalah, 2.45 Dark Confidant, 3.15 Ingleby Hollow, 3.50 Big Red, 4.25 Dark Defender, 4.55 Shadow Game, 5.30 Lady Cordie.

RIPON: 6.45 Local Artist, 7.15 Kingthistle, 7.45 Arcamist, 8.15 Corton Lad, 8.45 Wrapped, 9.15 Barwah.

ROSCOMMON: 5.55 Brutal, 6.25 Double Fast, 6.55 Bainne, 7.25 Savannah Storm, 7.55 Simannka, 8.25 Immortal Bridge, 8.55 Rainfall Radar.

WINDSOR: 6.05 Etienne Gerard, 6.35 KODILINE (NAP), 7.05 Fool To Cry, 7.35 Lucky Beggar, 8.05 Quebee, 8.35 Laugh Aloud, 9.05 Maroc.

WORCESTER: 2.00 Peterbrown, 2.30 Minella Forfitness, 3.00 Micklegate Run, 3.35 Replacement Plan, 4.10 West Torr, 4.40 Kovera, 5.10 Alcock And Brown, 5.40 Barman.

DOUBLE: Kodiline and Lucky Beggar.