The dust hasn’t even settled on three top-class days at Aintree’s Grand National Festival, but just like last season, more eyes will be set on Ayr as Willie Mullins looks to secure his second UK trainers championship.
The Closutton juggernaut takes a day off today before hitting top gear with their army of runners on Saturday.
But can he be stopped?
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Ayr 1:30 Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle – 2m ( 4yo+ 0-130)
The Paul Nicholls-trained Liari has become expensive to follow this season, having been turned over in all four of his starts last season, and that is disappointing given that he looked to be a very promising horse for this season. Time is still on his side, and it is only a matter of time before it all clicks once again, but given ground conditions, he is no more than a watching brief today.
Kingstone James got back on track with a convincing win at Musselburgh last time out, and even with a 9 lb rise, he should be more than capable of playing a part in the finish if he can back that run up. The same can be said for Lario, who has been left on the same mark after chasing home the talented Jurancon at Newbury, but he and the rest of the field will struggle to give weight away to the 4-year-old INAPPROPRIATE.
He’s now two from four over hurdles on the back of a good win in a Juvenile Hurdle Series Final win at Musselburgh, beating Belfrina much easier than the winning margin would suggest. That was his first run in a handicap, and now that he is stepping into the open company off just a 5 lb higher mark, this 4-year-old is the one they all have to beat now that he has gotten his head back in front.
- Selection: Inappropriate 10/3
- Danger: Kingston James 15/2 (e/w)
- Current Betting: Inappropriate 10/3, Liari 9/2, Lario 11/2, Static 11/2, Kingston James 15/2, Wilful 9/1, 10/1 bar.
Bet on Inappropriate with Betfred
Ayr 2:05 Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd Mares’ Maiden Hurdle – 2m (4yo+)
The 77-flat-rated Roxanne is interesting on hurdles debut for a yard known to get ones ready for their hurdles debut, and any support in the betting should be noted. However, the Alan King-trained IRISH CHORUS may not have a better opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles.
Irish Chorus was well supported to get off the mark at Doncaster in March and was about to win by double digits only to fall at the last. Barring accidents, he should make up for his unlucky loss at Doncaster.
Kanitamay left all previous form well behind when chasing home the 1/4 favourite at Carlisle when sent off 100/1. If she can show that that run was not a once off, she can be the one to follow the selection home.
- Selection: Irish Chorus
- Danger: Kanitamay
Ayr 2:40 Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle – 3m½f (4yo+ 0-125)
A tight-looking staying handicap hurdle up next, and many have more than a realistic chance of getting their heads in front. Histrionic made the most of a bad round of jumping from the odds on Newton Tornado when turning him over at Chepstow, but he needs to step up on that form again here, while Ace Of Spades needs to show more than when failing to land the hatrick at Kelso last month.
I AM MAX has been knocking loudly on the door of late, and it’s only a matter of time before another one of these falls his way, and today could be that day. He was sent off the favourite for a similar contest at Kelso last time and looked to be travelling the best on the home turn, only to get outpaced and run on again at the end. The step up in trip looks like the right thing to do here, and if he can travel as he did at Kelso, then he is more than capable of doubling his wins over hurdles now tackling 3 miles.
Billy Boi Blue put in a much better performance last time, and he looks more than capable of going well off a 4 lb higher mark than when easily winning at Wetherby in October.
- Selection: I Am Max 11/2 (e/w)
- Danger: Bill Boi Blue 12/1 (e/w)
- Current Betting: Ace Of Spades 7/2, Histrionic 7/2, I Am Max 11/2, Imperial Merlin 15/2, Chasingouttheblues 10/1, Cr Kingpin 10/1, 12/1 bar.
Bet on I Am Max with talkSPORT BET
Ayr 3:15 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase – 2m4½f (5yo+)
Walk On Quest never looked happy when going for his five-timer at Uttoxeter over 3 miles, but the trip didn’t beat him that day. He is now back to a course and distance that he won on in February, and if he can leave his Ayr run behind him, he is a big danger to all. But for me, that was a run of a horse that looked to be feeling the effects of a busy spell.
If you are in the forgiving mood, it may be worth siding with CREBILLY, who is now 4 lb lower than when 2nd in the Festival Plate at last season’s Cheltenham Festival. He never got into his race when 9th in the Ultima Handicap Chase at this season’s Cheltenham Festival, but not many could live with the easy winner Myretown that day, and you can easily give Crebilly another chance. His jumping will always hinder his talent, but if he can get around with the minimum number of mistakes, then he is handicapped to win here.
The other who looks to be showing signs of returning to form is last season’s Summer Plate winner, Sure Touch. He’s now back on the same mark as when winning the Summer Plate and ran a lot better last time than his finishing position would let on. He travelled smoothly up to two out but weakened in the closing stages. A further improvement puts Sure Touch bang there with a chance.
- Selection: Crebilly 6/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Sure Touch 17/2 (e/w)
- Current Betting: Walk On Quest 9/2, Leader In The Park 11/2, Crebilly 6/1, Ned Turner 13/2, Riskinthegound 13/2, Sure Touch 17/2, 17/2 bar.
Ayr 3:50 Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – 2m½f (5yo+ 0-130)
It’s becoming very hard to trust Asta La Pasta after he was turned over when well fancied on his previous three runs. He also races, and given the small field where he will have minimal cover to try to settle, he has to be taken on.
The one that stands out is TORNEO. This progressive 5-year-old has not been outside of the top three in all his six chase starts, winning two. He is uncomplicated and comes with his challenge late, and the home straight at Ayr lends itself well for one making up ground in a small field. Toreno has to contend with a 6 lb higher mark for his latest win, but he looks like he has a few more pounds up his sleeve.
If the top two fail to run their race, then the front-running From The Clouds can take full advantage.
- Selection: Torneo 2/1
- Danger: From The Clouds 9/2
- Current Betting: Asta La Pasta 2/1, Torneo 2/1, From The Clouds 9/2, Paso Doble 9/2, Dance Thief 15/2.
Bet on Torneo with Paddy Power
Ayr 4:25 Coral Handicap Hurdle – 2m5½f (4yo+ 0-150)
The Four Sixes left a sequence of PU-UR-PU to make the most of the easy lead at Bangor last month and win by 7 lengths. A reproduction of that run would give him a good chance of following up, but he is unlikely to get away the way he did last time.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Red Risk did well to battle back after being headed to beat the well-handicapped Joyeux Machin at Uttoxeter and is one not to underestimate here, but Dan Skelton has a standout chance with the mare NURSE SUSAN.
She returned from 418 days on the sideline in the Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, where she ran well for a long way. She is more than entitled to come on for the run, and this lightly raced 8-year-old mare could prove a tough nut to crack if getting the breaks.
- Selection: Nurse Susan 5/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Red Risk 5/1 (e/w)
- Current Betting: The Four Sixes 5/2, Florida Dreams 5/1, Nurse Susan 5/1, Red Risk 5/1, Irish Hill 8/1, Thunder Rock 8/1, 10/1 bar.
Bet on Nurse Susan with Betfred
Ayr 4:58 Jardine Utilities Race To Repair ‘Hands & Heels’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m4½f (Cond/Am) (4yo+ 0-120)
If you are unfamiliar with a ‘hands and heels‘ race, it’s simply a race in which conditional and amateur jockeys are not permitted to use their whips at any stage of the race and are races I would always try to avoid.
In races like these, you want a horse that doesn’t need too much encouragement to move forward when asked, and SUMMERGROUNDS fits that bill here.
He comes here on the back of a smooth win at Musselburgh after a 128-day break, and even though he is now on a career-high mark of 102, this race could set up nicely for a horse of his nature.
Benefit Ben followed the selection home last time, and if he can cut out the jumping errors, he can get closer here.
- Selection: Summergrounds
- Danger: Benefit Ben
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
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