Racing

Ayr Place 6 Preview | 2nd January

By Steven Dowler

12.30 Happy New Year From Ayr Racecourse Maiden Hurdle

The highly consistent SLEEDAGH should be winning soon. The six-year-old has finished runner-up on all three starts under rules and could be about to turn over the favourite. He can deservedly open his account in the opener.

Tips: SLEEDAGH

13.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup Lunch at WesternHouseHotel Maiden Hurdle

WILSTAR largely underperformed as if something was amiss when down the field on hurdles debut at Newbury, but better is expected and recent wind operation will surely have helped. He retains promise and could easily make amends.

Tips: WILSTAR

13.30 Karaoke At The Golf Inn Prestwick Novices’ Handicap Chase

POWEROFJET learned a lot from his chase debut when getting off the mark at Newcastle in November. He went through that race very powerfully, so a 7lb higher mark is unlikely to be enough to stop him from going in again. He has plenty more to come.

Tips: POWEROFJET

14.00 Sunday Lunch At Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle

SO MANY ROADS won this race three years ago on handicap debut and is 2lb lower in the handicap. Meanwhile, BIG STORM BREWING left all previous form behind when only finding one too good at Doncaster and must have every chance of going one place better.

Tips: SO MANY ROADS & BIG STORM BREWING

14.30 Book Wicked Afternoon Tea At WesternHouseHotel Handicap Chase

TRAVAIL D’ORFEVRE finds himself 2lb lower than when scoring over C&D in January and cheekpieces could have a positive outcome. The other one to consider is VISUAL IMPACT, who ran well when third here on chase debut. She could only manage fourth at Wetherby when last seen but can get back on track.

Tips: TRAVAIL D’ORFEVRE & VISUAL IMPACT

15.00 Quiz Night At Golf Inn Prestwick Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

Plenty to consider in this event. JUNKER D’ALLIER has shaped well on both chase starts to date and could be set to feature heavily in the outcome, while YOUNG JACK is feared most. I thought he ran a good race when second on his seasonal/chase debut at Kelso and has a lot more to offer.

Tips: JUNKER D’ALLIER & YOUNG JACK