Couple tomorrow at Ayr if it's on......

8 am inspection, strange times, strange climate. Sub zero temperatures at night, biting winds with predictions of these carrying through to daylight.

Frost covers down at Ayr Racecourse, can protect to around -4°C so it may be under a bit of a threat. Ayr racecourse staff are working really hard to stage racing tomorrow, and it's very much appreciated by all the Northern yards.
We've got a couple running.

Novice hurdler Keyboard Gangster ran a promising race on debut a few weeks ago over course and distance (2 miles). The going was also heavy that day, and our lad raced very keenly. Callum hung onto his head to enable the gelding to finish the course, and he was 4th to a good horse of Nicky's. That Greystoke yard saddles another promising hurdler tomorrow in the shape of Nando, runner up on his debut and who looked that day as if a sounder surface would suit best.
But the favourite is the ex-French winning chaser Bialco who flourished in the conditions when a close 5th in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock over 2m 7f. Dropping back to 2 miles would normally be a concern but the conditions will be very testing to balance that out.
Keith's Take the High Road is essentially flat-bred but is a brother to a couple of decent hurdlers and has ran a few good races on heavy ground (including over 9f on the Flat).

The remaining horses would need to improve considerably to contest the finish here.

We'd look for another confidence building performance from Keyboard Gangster, as his hurdling career takes shape.

At the tail end of the card, Big Bad Dream is one of 3 runners in the bumper - he's neither the favourite nor outsider of 3. Irish Point good ground winner (December '16) Black Pirate was acquired for connections in January and then turned out quickly to win a heavy ground bumper at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. He impressed several good judges that day and if showing no ill effects would be the one to beat. Mike Smith's Ciarabella was well beaten in his two bumpers, but this 3 horse race may be run at a meddling pace so can't be written off.

So what of our fellow? We've mentioned before that to avail himself of any quirks, Big Bad Dream would prefer a larger field but we've missed so many races this season with the gelding - various reasons, mainly abandonments - that we welcome the outing despite not ideal conditions.
Although, he should like the ground.

Good luck to all connections, and we'd be happy to come away with a couple of placed efforts.

Saturday work out : Big Bad Dream (Callum) leads Keyboard Gangster (Pinky)