Horses for Courses: Four horses set to thrive at Ayr on Saturday

It’s the final weekend before Cheltenham and we’re treated to some superb Saturday action. We have no less than six meetings to look forward too, including Wolverhampton, Sandown, Navan, Ayr, Hereford and Chelmsford.

We’ll have horse racing tips for all six meetings, but I’ll be focusing on the statistics in this piece. Certain horses will only perform at their peak when sent to their favoured venue and these comments apply to several horses at Ayr on Saturday. Virgin Bet sponsors the entire card and we’ve found four horses who are set to thrive at the venue, which can be found below!

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

1.57 Ayr – Jessiemac

Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

With eleven of her twenty-one career starts coming at Ayr, it’s fair to say that Jessiemac knows the track well. A dual course winner, she gained both successes in quick succession in the autumn of 2019.

She has run on four occasions this season with mixed results, winning three starts back off a five-pound lower rating. A pair of subsequent runs have been below that standard, however, latterly over three miles here where she stayed on too late. That effort did suggest she was still on an achievable rating and she should get the strong tow into the race that she needs. If everything drops right, another Ayr success could be on the cards.

2.32 Ayr – Wind Of Hope

Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)

His recent form has been a shade disappointing, but both of Wind Of Hope‘s best efforts last season came over course and distance. That includes a victory back in March 2020 off a four-pound higher rating, so he’s evidently well-treated at present.

Although very poor in four opening runs this term, his most recent third at Sedgefield was a step in the right direction, travelling up very strongly before not quite getting home over 3m 3f. Returned to his favoured course and distance today off the same rating, he surely has a big effort in him.

3.42 Ayr – Grand Morning

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 

Very lightly raced for his age, Grand Morning is a nine-year-old who has hit the race-track on just twelve occasions. Two of those victories have come at Ayr, winning both a maiden and novice hurdle back in early 2018.

His recent form has been patchy, but there have clear signs that he was capable of breaking his chasing duck. He went down narrowly to Edinburgh National winner Mighty Thunder three starts back and excuses can be made for subsequent defeats. A drop back in distance could be just what the doctor ordered and given the recent form of Lucinda Russell’s horses, he’s a tempting each-way price.

4.55 Ayr – Ardera Cross

Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Chase (Class 4)

Winning three times at Ayr, Ardera Cross evidently loves the venue and couldn’t arrive in better form. He’s won two of his last three starts, with both of those successes coming at Ayr, latterly over course and distance.

He won with plenty in reserve last time, pulling miles clear with the eventual runner-up after a strong finishing burst. He’s three pounds higher today, but he’s won off a loftier rating in the past and this is no tougher than his most recent engagement. If he can run to the same sort of standard, he’s holds obvious claims.

Get clued up for the festival with the latest Cheltenham tips and Cheltenham free bets to get a head start on your festival punting.