The Timeform team plump for Tread Softly Now (15:18) at the Scottish track.
Timeform’s Ayr betting tips
12:48 – Bras D’Or
13:18 – Dream Shadow
13:48 – Kelvin Forlonge
14:18 – Fingle Bridge
14:48 – Big Zouk
15:18 – Tread Softly Now
15:48 – Kingsman Mail
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
BRAS D’OR was unable to justify odds-on favouritism on his Rules debut in a bumper, but he shaped with plenty of promise, and he’s also made a solid start over hurdles this season. He built on his debut in this sphere when runner-up at Ludlow last month, unable to match the well-touted favourite, but finishing with running left at the line, and this looks a good opportunity for him to go one place better. Next Twist and Triple Crown Ted look the likeliest dangers.
This doesn’t look the deepest race of its type now with a couple of non-runners and it is hard to oppose DREAM SHADOW. She confirmed the promise of her debut over hurdles in spades when winning as she liked at Warwick in November, well suited by a step up in trip, and she should be hard to beat with further improvement forthcoming. Lets Mingle, who shaped better than the bare result last time, could be the one for the forecast.
KELVIN FORLONGE did the job well over this course and distance on his handicap debut at the beginning of December and, with further progress likely, this unexposed type will prove a tough nut to crack off a 6 lb higher mark. Irish raider Gather Yourself is greatly respected on the strength of his latest effort in a more competitive race than this at Navan, while other course and distance winners Better Be Definite and Shoeshine Boy, who followed the selection home here last month, are others to consider.
Two potentially smart novice chasers clash here and FINGLE BRIDGE is narrowly preferred to prevail over Meetmebythesea. He was unbeaten in three starts over hurdles last season and shaped very well when runner-up to the most exciting Lulamba on his return and chase debut at Exeter in November. He made the most of a good opportunity at Uttoxeter last time and, though there is room for improvement in the jumping department, he remains with plenty of potential. Meetmebythesea is an imposing type who impressed on his debut over fences and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
BIG ZOUK was a big-money buy from the Irish pointing field after winning his sole start between the flags and he looks an intriguing contender now switched to fences. He ran his best race under Rules when third on his handicap debut over hurdles at Newcastle last month and he can be expected to step up on those efforts now tackling larger obstacles. He gets the nod ahead of I See The Sea and Jirko, in that order of preference.
There are a few with chances in an open handicap, but the Ian Duncan-trained mare TREAD SOFTLY NOW goes very well round here and can bag a third win at the track on the back of an excellent clear Kelso second last time out. Dance Thief heads the list of dangers off a lenient-looking mark, although Platin Moon, He’s Bresilian and Thereisnodoubt can all have a say too in this competitive event.
KINGSMAN MAIL shaped well under an inexperienced rider when runner-up to the reopposing Coconut Man over this course and distance on his debut in November, so he could well be up to reversing the form with that rival on these more favourable terms, especially with a fully-fledged rider now taking over in the saddle. Coconut Man does look promising however, and must be respected under a penalty, with Diamant Dore and Mcelhattan a couple of interesting Rules newcomers.
Timeform’s Ayr betting tips
12:48 – Bras D’Or
13:18 – Dream Shadow
13:48 – Kelvin Forlonge
14:18 – Fingle Bridge
14:48 – Big Zouk
15:18 – Tread Softly Now
15:48 – Kingsman Mail
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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