5.20pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 24/05/2017

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

IN SUMMARY: This Listed contest looks to be on a plate for the Roger Varian trained NEZWAAH. She showed herself to be an excellent filly last year with a Listed success as well as some fair Group form and she can take this before going on to better things later in the season. Elm Grove has shown some improved form this season and she can run on into a place to follow the selection home.

1 ELM GROVE – The sole Irish raider in the field and she arrives here as the joint-bottom rated runner. She won a Clonmel handicap on Good to Firm ground earlier this month over an extended 1m 1f and that was one of her best career performances having already shown some promising form this season. However, this is a big step up in grade and she may find one too good here on these terms for a yard operating at a 15% strike rate of late.

2 MALEFICENT QUEEN – Completed an impressive five-timer last season when winning this race by a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths. She’s found life tougher since having raced in a host of Listed and Group races but she’s shown a return to form of late and it’s no surprise to see her return to this race and attempt to win it for a second time. She’s versatile in terms of ground and should have no problem getting involved in the finish here. Respected.

3 MORE MISCHIEF – Finished 3 lengths behind Nezwaah at Newcaslte when the pair last summer and she was second to Maleficent Queen in this last year. She was comfortably beaten in a Group 3 at Cork and a Listed contest at Galway on her final two starts of last season and she’ll need to be fully tuned up to win this today. She has form on Good but will appreciate more rain and others make more appeal on these terms.

4 NEZWAAH – Smart filly for the Roger Varian yard and she finished half a length behind the excellent So Mi Dar at Yarmouth last September. She went on to finish seventh in a Group One at Woodbine in October but she was only beaten 2 lengths and it’s no surprise that she’s the top rated filly in this. She has the beating of More Mischief and the ground should be fine although she would prefer it slightly firmer.

5 PURE ART – Placed in a Listed contest on her final start of last season which is smart enough form and that was her career best effort. She’ll need to have improved again over the winter to come out on top here although the yard are operating at a fair 13% strike rate of late. She’s probably worth opposing in this but it would be no surprise to see her go on to better things this season as a 4yo.

6 SOPHIE P – Won a decent enough handicap over a mile here 16 days ago, winning by a short head. She arrives here with a rating of 89 which leaves her with plenty to find at the weights and whilst she continues to improve, this is another step up in grade and she’s best watched here for a stable with a poor 7% strike rate at Ayr. She should be outclassed by better opponents in this although she does at least have the benefit of race fitness.