UK Horse Racing Tips: Ayr

PROFESSOR KLUMP was well found in the market ahead of his hurdling bow last month, but he could only muster up a midfield finish. Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time and on his second start following wind surgery, a far better performance is expected. He is preferred to Blow The Budget, who performed with credit at Kelso last time, and Spit Spot, who would hold every chance if taking to this new discipline having achieved a peak rating of 73 when trained on the Flat.
Prediction : 1st Professor Klump 2nd Blow The Budget 3rd Spit Spot

FLASH DU PISTOLET was far from disgraced when finishing fourth in a Grade 2 at Haydock last month and an opening mark of 104 could underestimate the gelded son of Westerner. High Roller is another who enters this sphere off a workable rating and Nick Alexander's charge isn't taken lightly. Fellow handicap debutant Am Still Here should prove more competitive under a light weight and he completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Flash Du Pistolet 2nd High Roller 3rd Am Still Here

I LOVE MY BAIE was last seen finishing third in a Grade 2 at Haydock and the five-year-old boasts strong credentials with stepping back up in trip a likely avenue for improvement. Magic Wave returned from a year off when proving a cut above the opposition at Market Rasen. Mark Walford's gelding has to enter calculations with the potential for more to come, while The Kalooki Kid, a winner on his second attempt over hurdles at Musselburgh, appeals most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st I Love My Baie 2nd Magic Wave 3rd The Kalooki Kid

All of these make some appeal but marginal preference is for MIDNIGHT IT IS, who has not been disgraced on either start since winning over 2m at Clonmel in October and he should appreciate the drop back in trip. The Flier Begley failed to fire in a competitive event at Navan last time but is a player based on previous efforts, while Salamanca Bay and Soft Risk should not be underestimated despite returning from lengthy absences.
Prediction : 1st Midnight It Is 2nd The Flier Begley 3rd Salamanca Bay

BALLIN BAY made every yard of the running to deny the reopposing Enemy At The Gate (second) by a length-and-a-half over an extended 2m6f at Kelso last month and he is only 3lb worse off this time around. The son of Milan was returning from a 229-day break prior to that effort and may have more to offer to confirm that form. As for the latter, he ought to show up well once more and prove the main danger again. Cream Of The West completes the shortlist on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Ballin Bay 2nd Enemy At The Gate 3rd Cream Of The West

Busty Boy exploited an opening mark of 100 over the extended 2m7f at Kelso on his penultimate start before finding a progressive rival too strong last time and he is likely to enter calculations. Having said that, ARTIC ROW could get the better of that rival on his second start over the larger obstacles. Nick Alexander's charge had excuses when pulled up last time, given the saddle slipped, and this may prove to be a solid opportunity. Course specialist Ardera Cross is also respected.
Prediction : 1st Artic Row 2nd Busty Boy 3rd Ardera Cross

There was plenty to like about AYIKO's first start when filling the runner-up spot at Roscommon in June and Stuart Crawford's gelding gets the vote to put that experience to best use. Malicash shaped with a fair amount of encouragement on his racecourse debut when third at Kelso last month. The four-year-old is entitled to step forward from that display, while Young Getaway boasts a pedigree with more speed than stamina, being related to Morgiana Hurdle winner Iktitaf, and could have a say in proceedings.
Prediction : 1st Ayiko 2nd Malicash 3rd Young Getaway