UK Horse Racing Tips: Ayr

A small but competitive opener, in which AURORA THUNDER is taken to reverse Kelso form with Glorious Lady and land the spoils. She had previously recorded solid win and placed efforts at this venue and another bold bid looks assured. Glorious Lady steps down from Listed company and is respected, with Lily's Gem possibly the best of Stuart Crawford's duo and Miss Aloud certainly no forlorn hope either.
Prediction : 1st Aurora Thunder 2nd Glorious Lady 3rd Lilys Gem

RIPSTICK beat a Sedgefield specialist on Boxing Day under Conor O'Farrell and might take some stopping once more, despite a 5lb rise. The nine-year-old had been running well before that success, handling varying ground conditions, and may have too much pace for Dunly, who should at least improve now wearing blinkers for the first time. Emissaire unseated his rider at the first at Hexham but could easily bounce back.
Prediction : 1st Ripstick 2nd Emissaire 3rd Dunly

Gordon Elliott's SPORTY YANKEE makes plenty of appeal having finished second at Fairyhouse last month, and the slight drop back in trip could be the key to success here. Cheers Jd ran with credit when set off favourite at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and can play a part off the same rating. Duty Girl might build on her Southwell reappearance, while not a great deal separated Meldrum Way and Epsom Des Mottes at Newcastle and they can't be ignored.
Prediction : 1st Sporty Yankee 2nd Cheers Jd 3rd Duty Girl

ETTILA DE SIVOLA opened his account over fences over a similar trip at Newcastle and is expected to defy a 5lb rise to follow up. The main danger may be recent Sedgefield third Martila, who has been eased 2lb in the ratings. Dr Hooves has undergone wind surgery since his last outing and could take a forward step. Connections of Manetti will be banking on this drop back in distance sparking immediate improvement if he is to figure.
Prediction : 1st Ettila De Sivola 2nd Martila 3rd Dr Hooves

Gordon Elliott's raider Ocean Voyage is respected now dropping back to 2m and could figure off what appears a workable mark, though preference is for ARDERA CROSS, who struck over fences here off 2lb higher on his penultimate outing in November and appears nicely treated back over timber. Any money for Calix Delafayette, who returns from a lengthy spell off the track, would also be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Ardera Cross 2nd Calix Delafayette 3rd Ocean Voyage

Charm Offensive lost little in defeat when a half-length second on her debut over C&D and she is likely to give another good account, while Gordon Elliott looks to have a solid hand with Democratic Oath and, more interestingly, Get Rich Die Plyin. However, the vote goes to CASTLE RUSHEN, who cost 90,000 euros as a three-year-old and represents the same trainer/jockey combination that won this race last year with the smart Ribble Valley.
Prediction : 1st Castle Rushen 2nd Charm Offensive 3rd Get Rich Die Plyin