13:45 Ayr

The Nicky Henderson trained CITY CHIEF (best priced at 5/4) cost £210,000 at the Cheltenham Sales last year and connections will be hoping that he can now start justifying his price tag. The five-year-old won an Irish PTP in May last year before finishing a beaten favourite on his first two starts over hurdles. 

Both of those races were over 2m5f and he benefitted from the step-up in trip last time to win over 3 miles at Hereford in a weak race. The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 127 which seems generous seeing as the two horses that have beaten him are rated 132 and 134 and I expect City Chief to make a winning handicap debut. 

City Chief - 1pt @ 5/4

14:20 Ayr

GREY SKIES (best priced at 9/4) is unbeaten in his two starts since joining Donald McCain from the Liam Casey yard and he should be suited by this step up in trip. The six-year-old won by six lengths at Uttoxeter on his stable debut before defying a penalty to win by seven lengths at Kelso last time.

Both of those victories have come over two miles and this PTP winner should be suited by this step up to 2m4f. This looks like a strong race with the likes of Thunder Rock and Irish Blaze holding strong claims but preference goes to Grey Skies.

Grey Skies - 1pt @ 9/4

16:05 Ayr

The Dan Skelton trained GET A TONIC (best priced at 85/40) has been incredibly consistent in her six runs over hurdles with two wins, three seconds and a third. The six-year-old finished 2nd in a listed race at Warwick on her penultimate start and that form was boosted by the winner Marie’s Rock winning the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on her next start. 

Get A Tonic slightly disappointed when only 2nd last time at Doncaster under Bridget Andrews but Harry Skelton is now back on board for her handicap debut. A mark of 130 could underestimate her and I expect her to get back to winning ways. 

Get A Tonic - 1pt @ 85/40