UK Horse Racing Tips: Ayr

Having left behind an underwhelming hurdle bow at Cork when finishing fourth at Punchestown last month, HARDY STUFF should put his experience to good use. A similar performance from Gordon Elliott's inmate may prove sufficient and he gets the call over Marvel Magic. The son of Masked Marvel displayed ability on his fourth-placed debut in a bumper at Newcastle and is bred to excel in this discipline. Captain Connor could also improve now tackling timber for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Hardy Stuff 2nd Marvel Magic 3rd Captain Connor

Open Secret built on a promising fourth at Navan when filling the runner-up spot at Wexford 44 days ago and another good account is likely. However, STRIDE ON's runner-up effort over 2m at this venue looks stronger and he looks open to more improvement stepping up in trip. Country Code made a winning Rules/hurdle bow at Newcastle last month and demands respect in his follow-up bid, although a 7lb penalty may leave him short.
Prediction : 1st Stride On 2nd Open Secret 3rd Country Code

GOLDEN POINT displayed significant improvement in her jumping when landing the spoils at Kelso last time out and there should be more to come. A 5lb higher mark could prove to be on the lenient side for the six-year-old, with this longer distance unlikely to hamper her follow-up bid. Bushypark usually tries to force the pace and rates the main danger judged on his recent fourth at Carlisle, ahead of Hardy Diamond.
Prediction : 1st Golden Point 2nd Bushypark 3rd Hardy Diamond

It's unlikely that we've seen the best of the Gordon Elliott-trained Cumberland River and market support on his handicap bow would be interesting. Regardless, fellow Irish raider WESTOFTIGNES is a more solid proposition after finishing fourth in a 24-runner affair at Navan 23 days ago and this looks less competitive. Kellie's Dream continues to fall down the handicap and is also worth a second look reverting to 2m.
Prediction : 1st Westoftignes 2nd Cumberland River 3rd Kellies Dream

TRUCKERS CRUISING won with plenty in hand over course and distance last week and a 7lb penalty might not be enough to prevent him from following up now he has proven himself capable over fences. From The Clouds' recent second over this track and trip suggests that he too has a race of this nature within his compass. Karafon, who was highly tried over hurdles when trained by Willie Mullins in Ireland, could be the pick of Stuart Crawford's pair.
Prediction : 1st Truckers Cruising 2nd From The Clouds 3rd Karafon

Celestial Fashion is a previous course winner to seriously consider after a comfortable success at Carlisle. However, an 8lb rise means she needs another personal best and she could be worth taking on. TOMMY COMBATS had too many guns for Ian Duncan's mare the last time they encountered each other at Hexham last December and the consistent six-year-old shades preference. Moon Phases wasn't beaten far on his chasing debut at Kelso last month and he is another solid contender with improvement highly likely.
Prediction : 1st Tommy Combats 2nd Celestial Fashion 3rd Moon Phases

KING GRIS is a logical choice after he made successful handicap debut in similar company over an extended 2m3f here last week. That was also his first start for Gordon Elliott and the unexposed six-year-old is hard to ignore under a penalty, with him essentially being 2lb higher having raced from 5lb out of the handicap on that occasion. Big Storm Brewing has each-way appeal given this represents a drop in class for him, while Green Bonnet and Chanceitlucky are others capable of being on the premises.
Prediction : 1st King Gris 2nd Big Storm Brewing 3rd Green Bonnet