4.25pm Ayr Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2016

Here’s our race preview for the feature race on Monday’s Ayr card, a Class 3 dash over 5f. Our betting tips identify a mare that will be suited by today’s ground and can overturn a recent piece of C&D form against one of the market leaders.

IN SUMMARY: Recent winners Lexington Place and My Name Is Rio ought to be suited by today’s conditions and can run well but both have to race off stiff handicap marks today and this can go to CLASSY ANNE, who was nearly 3l behind Lexington Place when sixth of seven over C&D on fast ground last month but is 5lb better off with that rival now and will be better suited by today’s underfoot conditions. In May, she was clear of the others when a very close second to an in-form rival on good to soft ground over C&D and she’ll be a very tough nut to crack if able to replicate that performance. Also of interest is Dark Defender, who lurks on a workable mark and, having raced with the choke out over 6f on his last couple of outings, could have a say if suited by today’s drop back in trip.

1 Lexington Place – Runner-up on consecutive starts before coming from off the pace to land narrow success over C&D (good to firm) last month; evidently in very good nick and will be fine on today’s slower ground but subsequent 3lb rise might be enough to leave him vulnerable.

2 My Name Is Rio – Form dipped after encouraging seasonal debut in April but, having been dropped back to 5f, he squeezed through a gap inside the final furlong to score at Beverley (good to soft) on Saturday; also has a C&D win to his name but his 6lb penalty puts him on a new career-high mark; sports first-time cheekpieces.

3 Soul Brother – Responded well to a change of headgear when clearcut winner in first-time blinkers at Thirsk (5f, soft) in April but hasn’t been in the same form on either subsequent outing; had excuses when down the field at Pontefract on more recent occasion but remains on a fairly tough mark.

4 Rita’s Boy – Been inconsistent this season but finished second off today’s mark at Thirsk (5f, good) in April and certainly didn’t run badly when eighth from a wide draw at Chester on his latest outing; sometimes loses ground at the start but any underfoot ease will suit and he can’t be ruled out.

5 Classy Anne – Only sixth behind Lexington Place over C&D last month but probably found the good to firm ground too lively that day and is now only 1lb higher than when when going very close on good to soft here in May; has conditions in her favour today and might be the answer.

6 Dark Defender – The only 3yo in the line-up; fitted with headgear for his two starts over 6f last month and harmed his chance by refusing to settle on both occasions; however, he remains on a workable mark, will be suited by the ground and today’s drop back in trip could be a good move.

7 Go Go Green – Getting long in the tooth now; proved a significant chunk of ability remains when close second in Class 5 event here (6f, good to soft) in May and will be fine over 5f, but has found things tougher in Class 3/4 company since then and was only sixth back in a Class 5 here yesterday.

8 Blue Sonic – Completed a course hat-trick last summer (5f-6f) and also ran with credit when third here (6f, good to soft) in May; usually knocks about in lower-grade company, though, and faces a tough assignment from 2lb out of the handicap today.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 Lexington Place, 7/2 My Name Is Rio, 6/1 Classy Anne, Dark Defender, 7/1 Rita’s Boy, 10/1 Soul Brother, Blue Sonic, 16/1 Go Go Green