Ayr 3.55
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTHERN - Ayr 3.55 Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles and 1/2 furlong - 13 run - Soft / Heavy
Lady In The Park was an impressive winner over Christamas at Wetherby and hasn't been rushed back out by any means, a step up in trip should not be a concern for this 3 mile P2P winner on handicap debut and I would not put anyone off a win saver.
Teescomponentstrig is a solid rival and will likely again run a place but at quite restrictive odds. Enemy At The Gate is upped in trip, Shoeshine Boy may not appreciate this testing ground and Rob Roy McGregor makes its first appearance since a wind operation.
I do feel local Trainer Nick Alexander has a nap hand here, CREAM OF THE WEST is a 3 mile P2P winner who has a course win at 2 miles and 5 furlongs off a mark of 97 and is now upped to what could be optimum trip off a mark of 102. We do know it can win off 97 and visually it looked to have abit in hand so I think it's no certainty that Lady In The Park will win this.
Alexander also runs ARTIC MAN who is very consistent and due a win; and NICEANDEASY a Course winner of a 3 mile Chase but who is also very competent over Hurdles at 11 years of age. I think both are well worth a shrapnel e/w bet given the Yards recent good form, and excellent form here at Ayr.
(1) Cream Of The West / (2s) Artic Man / (3s) Niceandeasy