4.00pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 31/07/2017

This is a Class 3 handicap raced over 1m 2f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Kevin Ryan’s Weekend Offender has obvious claims today now dropping in grade but he’s opposed with TESTA ROSSA in this. Jim Goldie’s runner continues to run well and progress off a high mark and his last run at Ayr was eye-catching. This softer going can see him hold off some of his younger rivals and land the spoils. Euro Nightmare can do best of the rest.

1 MULLIGATAWNY – Showed clear improvement for the application of cheekpieces last time out, winning a Class 4 handicap in Soft ground. He achieved that success in similar conditions to what he’ll face in this and there’s every chance he’ll go well again for a yard in excellent form of late (19% strike rate in the past fortnight.) A 5lb rise looks fair albeit he will need to improve again to beat today’s opposition although remaining in Class 4 company is a clear positive.

2 CORTON LAD – Started off the season in fine form with two successes but he’s struggled since having shot up the weights. He’s only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark but he’s only beaten two rivals from a possible 36 in his last three starts, beaten over 20 lengths on each occasion. The ground looks against him in this and it’ll be a big surprise to see him win today.

3 WEEKEND OFFENDER – Steps up to 1m 2f for the first time today on the back of an excellent sixth in a much stronger race than this at York last time out. He was well-supported that day and connections will be hopeful of a success today now dropped in grade to Class 4 company. He’s not convinced on this ground previously but he’s the form horse in this and will be tough to beat if he handles this slower surface.

4 TESTA ROSSA – Continues to give a good account of himself off what looks to be a high enough handicap mark. He ran no sort of race last time out at Newcastle two days ago but his run at Ayr last week was eye-catching having rallied gamely to finish fourth over C&D. He may be suited by this slightly softer ground today and that could see him serve it up to these on today’s terms. Interesting.

5 GWORN – Something of a C&D specialist with three wins to his name around this track and trip. He was beaten half a length a week ago over C&D and he remains on a mark of 81 although he loses a 7lb claimer which does leave him worse off at the weights. He needs to do more to score off this mark but he will go on this ground and should run his race having been in excellent form this season.

6 ALEXANDRAKOLLONTAI – Did well to win an 11-runner handicap at Redcar just over a week ago. He kept on strongly that day which may explain why connections attempt 1m 2f with him for the first time today. He has to prove he has the stamina for this trip and a 6lb penalty and rise in grade is going to stretch him out further so there’s a clear case against him today. Rowan Scott keeps the partnership intact and claims 5lbs again today.

7 EURO NIGHTMARE – Second runner in this for Keith Dalgleish and she looks to have a better chance than her stablemate. She’s the sole 3yo in this race which leaves her well-treated with her rivals and she scored off just 3lbs lower than this mark earlier this season over 1m 2f. She’s not been seen to the same effect recently but she’s been highly-tried, including in a Listed event and she will be better suited to this weaker grade. Warrants plenty of respect today.

8 FOOTLIGHT – Richard Fahey’s filly has been on the go for a while now having raced at least once a month since November of last year. She’s competed in better races than this with credit recently and she was by no means disgraced in a decent York handicap earlier this month. She’s been dropped a pound for that effort and whilst he needs to improve to score, she can’t be written off with form on this ground to her name.