Racing

Ayr Place 6 Preview | 17th April

13.45 Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle

The hat-trick seeking MAGNA VICTOR is unbeaten in two handicap starts, and despite this race being tougher, he looks sure to make a bold bid. LANCE DES LES easily scored over C&D last time out and is another to consider, while CASTLE IVORS is interesting off top-weight in spite of being off for a long time. Irish raider SECRET FORCE could be well handicapped off a mark of 124 though and has the form to make a serious impact. I like his chances.

Tips: MAGNA VICTOR, LANCE DES LES, CASTLE IVORS & SECRET FORCE

14.20 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

MARTY MCFLY is in the form of his life and was a good winner at Carlisle when last seen, so he merits consideration despite a career-high mark, as does Irish raider STUNTMAN STEVE. He didn’t enjoy a smooth run of things last time out and could go well, while THE GRAFTER is two-from-two in this sphere and must be worth a second look in this stronger-class contest.

Tips: MARTY MCFLY, STUNTMAN STEVE & THE GRAFTER

14.55 Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd Maiden Hurdle

LIRION went very close to collecting a bumper here last time out and must be of interest starting out over hurdles. LINALENE was only denied by half-a-length over C&D when last seen and has every chance of going one better with a repeat showing.

Tips: LIRION & LINALENE

15.30 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase

DONNACHA gamely fended off Jagwar when successful at Cheltenham last time out and connections presumably bypassed the Cheltenham Festival in order to save him for this race instead. Being the freshest horse in the field, I see no reason why he cannot go close to registering a fourth win over fences. HOE JOLY SMOKE will appreciate the drop in grade and could turn out to be the biggest threat.

Tips: DONNACHA & HOE JOLY SMOKE

16.05 Coral Handicap Hurdle

I am strong on the claims of A PERFECT DAY, who was the only horse able to make a race of it with Wellington Arch at Uttoxeter and finished a good second. The winner subsequently scored at the Aintree Festival, enhancing the form, and Ben Clarke’s charge has only been raised 3lb as a result. I liked the way he travelled last time out and he has the potential for better, so he is handed the vote to get heavily competitive.

Tips: A PERFECT DAY

16.43 Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle

WOODLAND PARK has yet to finish outside the frame in all eight career starts to date and the form of his latest second was boosted when the winner (Blue Carpet) subsequently went close in the Stayers Hurdle Series Final. With plenty more to come, Olly Murphy’s progressive seven-year-old looks like a key player under Sean Bowen.

Tips: WOODLAND PARK