Ayr Tuesday Preview

With Ayr having no expected problems with weather tomorrow it could be the only meeting on Tuesday. It is a decent card for a Wednesday and despite small fields they are engaging affairs.

Small fields the order of the day
(picture - wikipedia)

We are underway at 1:10 with the Betvictor.com Maiden Hurdle. A field of 10 contest, Donald Mc Cain has the 60,000 guineas purchase Lexi’s Boy. He was a steady performer on the flat with four AW wins. He was pulled up when a short price favourite on his hurdles debut and better is surely in store here.

Cadore was a clear second on his first time over obstacles and normal improvement would put him in the frame here for a team in good form (Russell-Buchanan). He comes in after a recent run and has the least question marks of the line up.

Mill Bay was not disgraced on two bumper runs at Musselburgh but may have place claims at best.The pick of the Nicky Richards’ trio Find A Key had a subsequent two time winner behind him (conceding 5lbs) in a Hexham bumper and holds leading claims.

A more open four runner field you are unlikely to see at Ayr on a Tuesday than in the Bet Mobile At Betvictor.Com Novices´ Chase at 1:40.  Blenheim Brook heads them under a seven pound penalty but still well in on official figures.

He has an admirable record finishing first or second on 10 out of 13 rules starts and his two of his three runner-up finishes over fences were against useful rivals.

Dowd’s Destiny has only six runs despite being a nine year old. We still know little about him for a horse of that age and could well even improve and the stable are in great form (3 wins and 1 second in last 7 runners).

Trainer R TJ Wilson sends over Yes Tom from his Antrim yard. He has been keeping decent enough company and with Paddy Brennan on should give a good account.

Storming Gale completes the line up for a big stable but may be one for a handicap later this season but will have come on for his last run.

A tough one to call but despite having the worst chance on official ratings Dowd’s Destiny can make his presence felt over the 2m4f trip.

The 2:10 Best Odds Guaranteed At Betvictor.Com Handicap Chase over 3m1f looks easier to figure out. Sammy Spiderman has a good record at Ayr with four wins. Those wins took place on much softer going than is likely here, and he may be better over shorter despite a course and distance win (getting lumps of weight against veteran rivals), he receives weight again today and has a chance.

Quinder Spring has gradually filtered down the handicap but is still carrying the most weight here.  Has had a short break since fourth at Catterick in November and in first time visor for an inform team holds major claims.

Martin Todhunter is also hoping that a first time visor can see him into the winners’ enclosure with Allanard. The eight year old has not won over this far but has only tried three times and appeared to stay. Now only one pound higher than his last win and goes well for jockey James Reveley he can win here.

There is nothing to get excited about in the 2:40 Watch Live Racing At Betvictor.Com Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles.

Another Miracle heads the betting for the McCain stable and is a worthy favourite. He had some middling form in 2010 and went close on his stable debut in November.

Gleann Na NDochais won stylishly in late December and has strong claims off a 12lb higher mark. That was his handicap debut and he was stepping up in distance. He steps up again here, is the youngest in the field and is the one to beat.

Only two places on offer with the seven runners but Delightfully is another to consider.

Old Magic looks like one of them JP McManus sleepers and it could be his time to awaken in the 3:10 Play Casino At Betvictor.Com Novices´ Handicap Hurdle.

Stormion is the only last time out winner in the field and is respected. There is little to say about most of the others. Market signals could be vital to unravelling this one so follow them.

Anthor small field but competitive looking race at 3:40, the Betvictor.Com Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Chase. Old boy Something Silver likes it here at Ayr with four course wins. He does not win often though and with only one win since February 2008 is passed over.

An improved run over course and distance last time puts Et Maintenant right into the shake up. Now eight pounds below the last winning mark and Grant Cockburn claiming eight more and with the ground to suit he can get his first win since 2010.

Primrose Time is up 11lbs for her latest run and conceding weight to all she may find life tough off a career high mark.

The 4:10 Bet Mobile At Betvictor.Com Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race concludes the Ayr card. Howaboutnow is the only winner in the sextet and is the one to beat.

Young Palm and Blazin White Face are the two most likely to challenge.

BEST BET – ET MAINTENANT