14:25 Ayr

The John McConnell trained ANNA BUNINA (best priced at 13/2) has finished 2nd and 1st in the last two renewals of this race and she should hold strong claims again this year.

The seven-year-old finished 2nd behind Milkwood in 2021 off a mark of 135 before winning last year by a length off a mark of 130. She runs here off a 9lb higher mark this year which will make things more difficult but she arrives having run well on her previous three starts. 

Anna Bunina finished 4th behind Gaelic Warrior at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing 2nd behind Queens Brook in a Grade 3 at Punchestown on her next start. She finished 9th in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 143 but was only beaten 7 lengths that day and she should run well in this race off a 4lb lower mark with four places on offer. 

Anna Bunina - 0.5pts e/w @ 13/2

15:00 Ayr

The Nicky Henderson trained BALCO COASTAL (best priced at 9/4) has to be excused his run at the Cheltenham Festival but if he reproduces his form from earlier in the season then he should prove hard to beat in this Grade 2 Novice Chase. The seven-year-old overcame a disappointing reappearance run at Newbury to win a competitive Kempton handicap by nine lengths beating Solo who has boosted that form since with a Grade 2 victory. 

Balco Coastal finished only 1 ¾ lengths behind Gerri Colombe at Sandown despite jumping left handed and that rival has boosted the form with a 2nd placed effort at the Cheltenham Festival and an easy win at Aintree in a Grade 1. He is top rated in this race with a rating of 150 and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

Balco Coastal - 1pt @ 9/4

15:15 Saga

The Spring Cup looks a competitive race this year but I am willing to take a chance on the John Gosden trained SAGA (best priced at 11/1). The four-year-old was unlucky not to win the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot last season when only beaten a head when fitted with first time blinkers. He went on to run well at York beaten only 2 ½ lengths off a mark of 103 and he should be competitive off this mark of 102. 

Connections switch headgear to first time cheekpieces in this race which is interesting and Saga has also been gelded over the winter. With up to five places available, he looks worth backing each way. 

Saga - 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1