Ayr Monday

The Hexham handicap in which Honda Fifty (6th of 14) made his seasonal bow a couple of weeks ago was full of proven, quite useful hurdlers. He is stepped up to 2½ miles for the first time at Ayr in the 0-115 handicap hurdle at 2.10pm, and faces 12 opponents many of whom are lightly raced and progressive.
From one extreme to the other then.
Honda Fifty had useful form in bumpers a couple of seasons back but hasn't so far come anywhere near that over hurdles. He ran well enough last time but seemed outpaced over the last two, hence the step up in trip. Wouldn't want too much more rain. Callum Bewley in the saddle again.

Lucinda's Operation Overlord - for JP - has undergone a couple of wind operations but this will be only his 4th outing, first handicap. A strong traveller, progressive form and very likely to improve - he's the one to beat and could defy top weight.
At the other end of the handicap, Tim Reed's Time Leader is another on the up and bids to follow on from a fine victory at Carlisle last time.
4yr old Go Bob Go from Mike Smith's yard is also at the bottom of the weights and has a progressive profile but might find it tougher in this company.

Others going the right way are Ellison's Kiss My Face although he wouldn't appreciate too testing conditions and Bex's Schalke on whom Daryl Jacob retains the ride has a sound each way chance.

There are several who have possible negatives to overcome (recent form, lack of normal headgear, may need the run), so......

Honda Fifty (Laura) tracks a stable companion

Onto the bumper at 3.20pm, a race for Conditional Jockeys / Amateur Riders with Nights In Venice taking part.
12 runners and this looks to be a fair enough race with a few horses with previous form in Points and NH Flat races, and one or two unraced types with nice pedigrees.

Previous bumper winner Knowwhentoholdem won a Newton Abbot bumper in heavy ground in October in ready fashion. Perhaps the form has not been held up by subsequent runners but given the manner of victory, even with a 7lb winner's penalty, it looks as if he'll be involved in the finish.

Bold Soldier represents trainer Warren Greatrex who despite training several hundred miles away is no stranger to Ayr Racecourse. This gelding's outing in an Irish Point seems like fairly useful form with a couple of horses close up becoming 125+ rated hurdlers and a couple more subsequently successful in Irish Points. But he's been absent for nearly 2 years since.
Duke of Deception (Oliver Greenhall) is another who showed promise in Irish Points and was staying on in 5th here in a bumper in October. The dam won over 2½ miles with bumper winners in the family but he looks a more of a chasing type on the track who'll be suited by middle distances over jumps.
Another that looks like a chasing type (much like our lad) is Golden de Coeur from the powerful Irish yard of Colin Bowe, with the booking of conditional Peter Kavanagh catching the eye. His 3rd place at Galway in July at big odds being a much improved effort from his debut run when he started favourite.

Kinneston Nick's Ginger Mail will look to go one better than when a narrow runner-up in a Musselburgh bumper at the end of October. Two of his half brothers won bumpers and another is classy jumper Elvis Mail, so he has the look of 'the one to beat' about him.

Nicky runs two here and on jockey bookings and pedigree River Meadow may be the stable's selection. He's a half brother to a fairly useful bumper/hurdles winner and there are plenty of bumper winners in the family.
The filly Starinhereyes chased home a good horse (Betty Baloo) on debut but may find it a bit tougher against the geldings here.

Nights In Venice is in good form at home after his 2nd to Donny Boy a few weeks ago at Kelso. With the weather playing havoc one way or another, we're running here which means Craig (sorry!) can't ride but there's not many better young jockeys in the North than Theo Gillard who's on loan from McCain for the day. Our gelding has shown that he stays well, and given the shape of the race, a genuine pace would suit.

Good luck Theo!

Honda Fifty (Laura) leads Nights In Venice (Connor) in a gallop from a couple of months ago