1.40pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 09/11/2016

Wednesday’s feature race at Ayr is a 0-135 handicap over the extended three miles. Read on for our expert betting tips and runner by runner preview.

IN SUMMARY: The Micky Hammond trained Silver Tassie has not won for quite a while now but he unseated rider at the final fence with the race at his mercy here at Ayr back in January so could have every chance if fresh from a break. However, a chance is taken on PRESENTING JUNIOR who has been creeping down the weights in recent starts. Martin Todhunter’s charge is a four time course, landing four on the trot here in 2014/15. He is now back down to a mark of 121, three pounds below his last winning mark so he looks poised to strike.

1 BERNARDELLI – Blinkers had the desired effect here in February, going on to beat four other rivals on heavy ground over the extended mile and a half. Pulled up next time out over further but he did finish 2nd over this trip at Bangor in the past so he does stay. Still looks high enough in the weights though and cheekpieces are reached for now.

2 SILVER TASSIE – Would have won here last January only for unseating rider at the last fence. Finished 2nd here over the extended three miles off a mark of 131 in March and this looks tough enough off 135. Ran a good race when 3rd at Perth off this mark when last seen and is respected.

3 VIVA STEVE – Former useful chaser for the Mick Channon yard but this is his first start for Fergal O’Brien. He was sold for £67,000 which is a tidy amount and he runs with a first time tongue tie on. The Flemensfirth gelding won first time out last season at Market Rasen so clearly runs well fresh and any market move would be very interesting.

4 BACK TO BRACKA – Trained by Lucinda Russell who does very well at Ayr. Won here over the extended two and a half miles this time last season off 128 and looks well treated off 127 here. Needed the run when 3rd of 4 runners behind Mountain King at Perth when last seen and he looks set to give a very good account of himself.

5 BALLYBEN – Won three times over fences for Lucinda Russell and is now in the hands of Malcolm Jefferson. The Beneficial gelding beat Harry The Viking by 5 lengths at Carlisle last time out, forging clear and although he is up 9 pounds as a consequence, he still looks fairly treated and he could well be the horse they all have to beat.

6 PRESENTING JUNIOR – Down to an extremely tempting mark now and can’t get much lower in the weights. Poor enough runs in the autumn to date, never getting involved both starts but he is a four time course winner who racked up 4 victories in a row here in the past. He should be very fit after his recent starts and will be a huge player receiving weight from the field.