13:20 Ayr

Leg 1 Selections: Volterra

The most appealing candidate in the opener is Kevin Ryan’s VOLTERRA, who despite showing signs of inexperience, shaped with a great deal of promise when a staying-on fourth in a valuable maiden at York last month. 

hat form has fittingly been advertised with the third winning next-time-out, while the winner ran well in a Listed race in France next time. His trainer/owner combination landed this event 12 months ago and, with progress sure to come, he can come out on top. 

13:50 Ayr

Leg 2 Selections: Offer And Receive, Sisyphean

Karl Burke’s OFFER AND RECEIVE scored with more up his sleeve than the half-a-length winning margin expressed on debut at Hamilton and despite being penalised, he is sure to make a bold bid to keep his unbeaten record intact. 

SISYPHEAN, however, caught the eye on debut at York in that hot maiden contest when a keeping-on fifth and hopefully Volterra, who was a place in front of him, can advertise the form in the opener. Open to further improvement himself, he could capitalise on the weight concession from the former. 

14:25 Ayr

Leg 3 Selections: Refuge, Sound Of Iona, Paddy’s Day

The third race is a competitive handicap for the grade. 
The first runner that jumps off the page is REFUGE who won off this mark at Haydock back in July and went very close off only a 2Ib lower mark in this race last year. He has an excellent chance if he can repeat that performance a year on from that great effort in this twelve months ago. 

SOUND OF IONA could only finish fifth at Hamilton last time but this former course-and-distance winner is 7Ib below her last winning mark and has a squeak at a decent price. Last of all, PADDY’S DAY is lurking on a deadly mark and could go well at a big price, too. 

15:00 Ayr

Leg 4 Selections: Thundering, What’s The Story, Mr Alan 

A speculative outside vote goes to bottom-weight THUNDERING, who’s form this year has left a lot to be desired, but he is capable of smart form and proved that by going close in this grade last year at York when second off a 5Ib higher mark. He has a lot to prove at present but has been given a fair chance by the assessor and makes the shortlist. 

Meanwhile WHAT’S THE STORY, a course-and-distance winner, hardly ever runs a bad race and is more than capable off this mark. MR ALAN is another course winner, who was a good fifth in the November Handicap two starts back off a pound higher mark, and could go well. 

15:35 Ayr

Leg 5 Selections: Graces Quest, Bosc Girl

GRACES QUEST wasn’t seen to best effect at Musselburgh last time but is still operating from below his last winning mark and trainer Jim Goldie is enjoying a good run of form with his horses. With William Pyle taking off an essential 5Ib, he could be the answer to the contest. 

Richard Fahey’s BOSC GIRL still seeks a first win after seven starts but she has placed in five of those, including when fourth at York last time, and is eligible to compete in this race off an unchanged mark. She’s of interest with more to offer despite this being extremely competitive. 

16:10 Ayr

Leg 6 Selections: Ventura Rascal, Hale End 

VENTURA RASCAL is an outsider worth close observation in this contest. Although he has run poorly the last twice, this six-year-old has a good course record and is essentially 3Ib lower than when he last got his head in front. He could cause a shock if he can recapture his best form. 

No one can dispute the consistency of HALE END though, who has remained in decent form since opening his account at Hamilton. He is only a pound higher than when beaten a neck at Beverley last time, so he probably still has room for manoeuvre off this mark. He warrants respect.