4.20pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 18/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: MALEFICENT QUEEN has won four on the spin after her debut second and all three of her handicap races have been won in good style. She improved again when winning last time out at Pontefract and she looks ready for today’s step up in class. Lustrous has the highest BHA mark and is respected, but she makes her debut for David O’Meara after an absence and would probably prefer a stiffer test of stamina. Elbereth was placed at this level last year and didn’t run badly in a valuable Epsom handicap last month, on ground softer than she prefers.

1 Chain Of Daisies – Front-runner who won four of her six starts last season, most recently when gamely holding on in Listed company at Newmarket (1m2f, good to soft) in October; carries a 3lb penalty here for that success but should be fine on the faster ground and can make a bold bid.

2 Persona Grata – Won two Listed events over about 1m1f in France (for this yard) last year; made low-key return to action when down the field in Newmarket Group 2 event this month but faced a very tough assignment that day and, with conditions suitable, she ought to be more competitive here.

3 Brandybend – Outan 50/1 odds when third behind Chain Of Daisies in Newmarket Listed event (1m2f, good to soft) in October and was also placed at this level when making seasonal reappearance on heavy ground in Italy last month; claims on that evidence but sometimes harms her chance by refusing to settle and needs to prove she’s effective on fast ground.

4 Coreczka – Comes here after completing hat-trick in run-of-the-mill AW handicaps at Dundalk (7f-1m) in recent weeks; evidently in excellent nick and will probably be fine over today’s trip but this race represents a huge rise in class.

5 Elbereth – Landed a valuable handicap at Epsom (1m2f, good) on Oaks day last year and ended her 2015 campaign with a good third in Listed company at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm); probably wasn’t suited by soft ground when back at Epsom for last month’s reappearance but didn’t run badly there and can make her presence felt in this.

6 Haalan – Gamely made all in Class 4 Chelmsford handicap (1m2f, AW) on debut for James Tate in April and was in the progress of running well in Listed company in Germany this month until wayward on the home turn and losing her position; needs to refrain from any similar antics here and has a bit to find on the figures.

7 Hot Sauce – Irish-raider; shaped with more promise than 12l defeat might suggest when fourth of five in above-average Group 3 event at the Curragh (1m2f, yielding) on recent seasonal debut; will be better suited by the fast ground here and, with several front-runners in the line-up, could have this race set up nicely for her.

8 Loaves And Fishes – Made satisfactory seasonal/stable debut when fourth in Class 3 handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, good to soft) last month and reached the frame at this level for Clive Cox last season, but jockey bookings suggest Lustrous is David O’Meara’s main hope here.

9 Lustrous – Failed to win for Richard Hannon last season but her second in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks (1m4f, good to soft) was one of a handful of very creditable performances; makes debut for David O’Meara after 249-day layoff and may find 1m2f on fast ground a bit sharp, but still commands respect.

10 Maleficent Queen – Won her maiden at Hamitlon a year ago, her second start, and is 3-3 in handicaps since the, the latest success coming in Class 3 event at Pontefract (1m2f, good to soft) on last month’s seasonal debut; proven on faster ground and ready for today’s step up in class; good chance.

11 Maybelater – Won three times last year and gave good account when staying-on third in Listed event at Kempton (1m2f, AW) on reappearance in March; also suited by fast turf and not yet fully exposed but probably needs to find something extra to win this.

12 More Mischief – Looked in excellent nick when winning Doncaster handicap (extended 1m2f, soft) in April and also ran with credit when fourth in Listed company at Goodwood (1m4f, good) 18 days ago; combination of fast ground and drop back in trip could leave her vulnerable to pacier rivals here, though.

13 Namhroodah – Lightly raced 4yo who claimed third (albeit no match for impressive winner) in Listed company at Newmarket (1m4f, good) when last seen in October; could easily have more to offer this season but not sure to be suited by the reduced emphasis on stamina today.

14 Tears Of The Sun – Non-Runner

myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Maleficent Queen, 9/2 Lustrous, 6/1 Chain Of Daisies, 10/1 Persona Grata, Brandybend, Elbereth, Hot Sauce, 12/1 Namhroodah, 14/1 More Mischief, 16/1 Haalan, Loaves And Fishes, Maybelater, 50/1 Coreczka