Two runners at Ayr on Monday

Special day at Ayr (Monday) as Callum has his first runner as an owner when his home bred mare Bollin Matilda makes her hurdling debut in the opening race on the card, a 2m 3½f maiden hurdle at 1.45pm. The advance going is good to soft.
A maiden hurdle but this has the make-up of a pretty hot encounter. There are a host of participants who cost a fair amount at the sales, either as stores or from the Point field.
On top of that, there are a couple here who have already obtained handicap marks - Saladam (OR116) and Hold Up La Colmine (OR112) - but there are a few others with strong claims plus an interesting debutant.

Saladam is best judged on his 2nd at Uttoxeter over 2½ miles on good to soft in December rather than his runner up effort here last time over slightly further. That form sets a fair standard but he may be vulnerable to improving sorts.
Irish Point winner Hold Up La Colmine is another who has shown fair form over hurdles but was a beaten odds-on favourite last time.
But the one who may progress to win is The Crawford Bros. Irish raider Bellaney Lord who looked to have improved immeasurably from hurdling debut when a bit unlucky at Down Royal last time, unseating rider 3 out.

Others who look likely to make up into nice horses in time - and each having their 3rd run in  a novice -  are McCain's Ffree Pedro and Patrick Neville's Breakdance Kid.

Like Bollin Matilda there are 4 others running over hurdles for the first time.
Lucinda's newcomer Blazing Shirocco is out of the classy chaser Blazing Tempo who has already recorded success as a broodmare with dual winner and Listed placed hurdler Blazing Emily.
Another making a hurdling debut is bumper winner Blue Hop for new trainer Ben Brookhouse. His pedigree is full of smart jumpers and he could spring a slight surprise here.
All of which leaves Nicky's Fly By Milan - off course for 2 years but he has several bumper efforts under his belt, showing fair form.

Told you it was a competitive affair!

We like Bollin Matilda who got a bit left behind in her sole race so far, a bumper here last month. Her future will no doubt come in handicap hurdles and she will start as one of the outsiders in this race.

Anyway, Craig Nichol is in the saddle and good luck to him and Callum too, who may well be leading up.

Bollin Matilda

Onto the 3.50 for our other runner on the day when So Many Roads runs in the 2m 4½f Class 4 handicap hurdle where he'll face 14 opponents. This is his first reappearance since winning over course and distance in early January, for which he has been raised 5lb.
This is a step up in class for our gelding and they'll go a stride faster in this 0-120 event but he has been pleasing us in his work at home so fingers crossed.

Top weight Forster'sisland acts on a sound surface and takes a big drop in class, having contested a couple of Class 2 races in recent times. His conditional rider will reduce his burden by 10lb, while Ben Brookhouse also fields a horse taking a drop in class in Big Bresil who started favourite for a Class 3 handicap hurdle at Doncaster when last seen 24 months ago.
Glentruan showed that he is getting back to the form in which he dead-heated over course and distance in December '21 when chasing home Kavanagh's Cross at Catterick recently, while Coral Blue and Fenna's Loss have been running well too and wont be far away.

Craig Nichol is again in the plate, and we hope The Wellfed Boys have an enjoyable day - win, lose or draw!

So Many Roads (on the left with Callum) working on the gallops earlier this month