Ayr 2.25
By Flat Turf UK (The Advisor)
THE ADVISOR - Ayr 2.25 Handicap - Class 5 - 5 furlongs - 21 run - Good to Soft
I've never considered Ayr to be a track with a massive draw bias, it's very wide and I think it's best to have something to lead you into the race. Its a tough test of a Sprinter in terms of stamina over the 5 or 6 furlongs and especially the intermediate 5 and a 1/2 furlongs. The Going usually rides a little softer than advertised mainly as they normally have an excellent covering of grass at this time of the season. All in all an excellent test of horse and tipster/punters.
At the bottom end of the market at big prices are a couple who I've picked out for those who like a small £1-2 e/w fun punt, RAJMEISTER @ 28/1 has 5 furlong wins on soft and good to soft off marks of 52 and 56 and struggles with tardy starts but makes up ground at the business end. Runs off 60 here but the track may play to its strengths as will the Going and they go for a visor and a tongue tie and I can see a big run. ONE LAST HUG @ 22/1 has Course and Distance and Course wins over further, it's got form on Soft and Good to Soft and ticks all the boxes for me, and the fact it's trained by Jim Goldie an absolute master (or bandit) at this track in Sprints does nothing to temper the enthusiasm.
Honour Your Dreams is probably the best of the 3 year olds but I don't think they are particularly suited to this Meeting in the all aged Sprints, and Borough is another worth a mention amongst the younger brigade although I think a mark of 71 is pretty tough.
I narrowed my main list down to 4 horses and with 21 runners and plenty of enhanced places on offer will be disappointed if we don't find the winner and a place at least.
WEE FAT MAC has had a wind operation and stall 8 really should give it any tactical options it needs, Mark, Going and Form all stack up and I can't find any reason not to back it. TRIPLE JAYE is a Course and Distance winner of this race last year, it won off a mark of 67 drawn in Stall 12 and runs off 60 drawn 11 so has an excellent mark and similar draw to last year and although seemingly out of form, this is the time of year when some horses can suddenly come to hand.
REFUGE was runner up last year off a mark of 68, gets stall 15 this time off a mark of 70 and is another one who I can't find any excuses for at all. Finally, SOUND OF IONA who was runner up in this race in 2021 off a mark of 70, is top weight but off a declining mark and drawn in 5 , a lot of pace on that side and Good to Soft is ideal and clearly the horse can be prepared for this Meeting.
Tips (1) Wee Fat Mac / (2) Triple Jaye / (3s) Refuge / (4s) Sound Of Iona