Side of the Road runs at Ayr tomorrow (Sunday)

Pretty cold weather these last few days and not much rain in the North, but Ayr looks to be able to provide good to soft ground for their Sunday meeting. It certainly has attracted a fair few runners, and we travel across country with Side of the Road for the concluding race at 4.10 - a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m 5f.

It's quite an open contest, with the field being made up of the regular mix of exposed handicappers, novices making their handicap debuts and raiders from across the Irish Sea.

Of the first time handicappers (Amberose, Jessiemac, Fairlee Grace and Just Brooke), local trainer Ian Duncan's Jessiemac catches the eye as a progressive mare who has shown a fair level of form to suggest that a handicap mark of OR96 is not beyond her. She's come up against a few good novices this season and looks sure to be suited by the trip.

Of the 'exposed' handicappers, McCain's Chicago Fire's best form has come at a couple of furlongs shorter. Nevertheless, her reappearance after 200 odd days off last time at Bangor will have given encouragement and if coming on for that run, you'd think would have a say in the finish here.
Phil Kirby's yard are going well and although an in-and-out performer, Northern Girl can't be ruled out.

Noel Kelly sends over a couple from his Northern Ireland base. Bracka Lilly has shown form at 2 miles and tries a trip at which she's been pulled up on each of her two previous attempts. Still, she's prominent in the betting as is Magic Dancer who has won 4 Irish Points since last seen on the racecourse at Sedgefield 18 months ago. It's hard to assess these two strictly on the form book, but they're dangerous opponents all the same.

Side of the Road? Well, she's in the exposed handicapper bracket with a fair bit to prove!

Side of the Road (nearside, Ryan)