2.40pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 21/04/2017

A field of eight go to post for the second race of the day at Ayr on Friday,  see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Azzuri is likely to be popular and it’s not hard to see why, though this can go to RANJAAN who has been showing signs he’s been coming back to the boil. He hasn’t won for a number of years but his mark is low and his forth at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day seemed to suggest his time was coming. Conditions are to suit and Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride, so all signs point to a big run with perhaps Prairie Town taking the final place.

1 FAIRLEE GREY – Stormed clear over C&D in a novices’ hurdle back in January to win by twenty-four lengths and although he fell the time after at Kelso, he wasn’t disgraced when third at Haydock in March against some tough rivals. Makes his handicap debut today for George Charlton at a track he suits well, though he’d perhaps want it softer than it currently is at present. A mark of 127 is workable on handicap debut and this unexposed eight year old is entitled to be involved for the placings at the very least.

2 PRAIRIE TOWN – Another C&D winner who has been running well of late for Tony Carroll, rarely putting in a bad shift this season. He was in the process of running a good race when falling at the final fence in the Imperial Cup and backed up that effort with a close third at Newcastle when last seen, only being pounced upon on the run in. He looks a very solid option off the same mark and with conditions to suit, he’s certainly looks one for the place pot as it would be a surprise to not see him run well.

3 AZZURI – Versatile sort who has been running well of late with three very respectable runs this season, including a win on his penultimate start at Huntingdon in March with the second going close since. On handicap debut he was far from disgraced at Wincanton behind Copain De Classe who well fancied that day, so he does have solid form behind him and lots to build upon for the in form Skelton team. Conditions are perfect and a big run has to be expected.

4 LYCIDAS – Eight year old who tends to make the running more often than not and he has placed on his last two runs, finishing second at Newcastle two weeks ago when giving away a lead. He’s on the same mark for today’s run and conditions are to suit, but he does look high in the handicap at present as he’s yet to win in handicap company, with his only win over hurdles coming in a novices event almost a year ago. He remains with potential over hurdles but places look his best chance in this.

5 CAPTAIN BROWN – Kept on strongly for third place in this race twelve months ago off today’s mark when arriving at the race in poor form. He arrives in the same sort of form this time around, well beaten at Musselburgh on his latest start so he does need to pull out more this time around if he’s to being threatening the principles. He does have a big run in him off this mark but he’s facing some horses who are in the process of improving and perhaps his improvement has peaked at the age of nine. Possible place claims if at his best, but is risky.

6 GREAT FIGHTER – Has been running well in the face of some tough tasks this season, finishing third behind Project Bluebook at Musselbrgh in January and he ran as well as could be expected in a listed race at the same venue two weeks later. He was last seen on the flat when finishing sixth on the all weather at Newcastle and he certainly comes here fit, but does need to eek out a bit more against some perhaps more progressive rivals. He should find this easier though and if finding that extra improvement, he should be in their pitching.

7 RANJAAN – Infrequent winner who has been showing signs of life of late for the Wilson yard, perhaps slowly coming to the boil and the jockey booking of Sam Twiston-Davies looks important. He is now down to a mark of 110 which is 20lb below his last winning mark and although that came in 2013, he’s performed well off higher marks in recent times and his forth at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day looked to be showing he was getting towards his peak. Conditions are to suit and he has a very good jockey aboard, so all signs point to a big run.

8 G’DAY AUSSIE – Won his first two handicaps for Brian Ellison earlier this season but he’s struggled with his revised mark sine the second of those victories, running on strongly when it was all over at Wetherby when last seen in March. This race looks to be much more competitive than that latest run and he may just be booked for another struggle again off the same mark despite conditions being to suit. Place claims under Danny Cook but he looks vulnerable on this occasion.