UK Horse Racing Tips: Ayr

ESPRIT DU POTIER (second) had President Scottie (third) behind by 12 lengths over 2m here last time when shaping as if a step up in distance would aid his cause. Therefore, the son of Montmartre can find normal improvement to get off the mark at the third time of asking in this sphere. As for the latter, he can prove the main threat again, with the six-year-old also being an unknown quantity over this trip. Paddy's Milestone has shown some ability so far in his career and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Esprit Du Potier 2nd President Scottie 3rd Paddys Milestone

BEAT THE RETREAT gained a first career success here just before Christmas and the extra couple of furlongs on this occasion is unlikely to stop Nick Alexander's gelding from taking another step forward. Hexham scorer Clovis Boy is likely to go well following a 5lb rise from the handicapper. Follow Charlie appears to be going the right way based on his recent second here, while others to note include Barney Stinson and Lewa House.
Prediction : 1st Beat The Retreat 2nd Clovis Boy 3rd Follow Charlie

UP HELLY AA KING failed to fire over 2m4f at Cheltenham last time but the veteran arrives here 2lb lower than when winning at Doncaster last February and 3lb lower than when second at the same venue two starts ago. With that in mind, a chance can be taken with the 13-year-old here, although recent C&D second Marown should not be discounted. Dorking Cock edges out Haute Estime to be best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Up Helly Aa King 2nd Marown 3rd Dorking Cock

Travail D'Orfevre has more experience over fences than most and is hard to ignore off bottom weight, but he may be outclassed and have to settle for a place. Aubis Walk did catch the eye when winning on her debut over fences here in December and she can go well, but preference is for Irish raider BALLYCOOSE. Second here in a better race over hurdles last month, he has only had two starts since April 2022 and might be reaching his peak ahead of his first start over the larger obstacles.
Prediction : 1st Ballycoose 2nd Aubis Walk 3rd Travail DOrfevre

The small field could see this race get tactical leaving AILIE ROSE as the likeliest to take them along. If she sets her own pace, she could gallop them into submission on the front end. Barbados Buck's is an obvious danger after an impressive win last time out and he's the one expected to put up most resistance, though Wakool won this in 2022 and is hard to ignore despite carrying top-weight.
Prediction : 1st Ailie Rose 2nd Barbados Bucks 3rd Wakool

Myretown was an expensive purchase and failed to justify favouritism in his only bumper start at Hexham in October 2022, but he could prove a different proposition on his return from a long absence on his hurdle debut. However, preference is for JOSHUA DES FLOS, who sets the standard with a rating of 122. The five-year-old has hit the frame in both starts over C&D and could prove tough to beat. Any market support behind the selection's stable companion, Raynbo, would also be of interest.
Prediction : 1st Joshua Des Flos 2nd Myretown 3rd Raynbo

HERITIER filled second place on his return to chasing at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and that followed a couple of good efforts over timber. The son of Fuisse could be hard to stop here from what is clearly a workable mark. That said, Gandhi Maker also hit the crossbar on his most recent outing at Newcastle and the eight-year-old should not be underestimated in this company, while Fia Fuinidh is another with strong form claims.
Prediction : 1st Heritier 2nd Gandhi Maker 3rd Fia Fuinidh