Back across country to Ayr on Monday

Couple of runners across the other side of the country at Ayr on Monday (advance going is soft) with the first of these in the novices' handicap hurdle at 3.20pm. 9 runners.

Eden Mill probably ran a bit better than the bare form would suggest last time out on handicap hurdle debut at Newcastle. He was dropped 3lb by the handicapper and this race sees him back to 2 miles. With Craig Nichol now in the saddle, he's expected to run well and may be able to reach a place.

Top weight Kilbrainy brings the best form into the race and received plenty of market support when 2nd to Half Shot at Musselburgh last time. Untested on soft ground though and returns to 2 miles here.
Ewart's ex Irish Hashtag Lord has run consistently well this season. Placed on his last 2, he makes his handicap debut (OR100) with Brian Hughes aboard.

Fia Fuinidh has shown progressive form in his last 3 hurdle races and is another making a handicap debut. He's not shown that this soft ground would be to his liking but his profile is that of a horse whose initial win is not far away.

Others would appear to be suited by further including the ex-flat performer Agilulf.

Best of luck to the TD9 Racing lads and enjoy the day!

Onto the bumper at 3.55pm.

The Callum Whillans bred Bollin Matilda is a nice filly and is the first produce of dual hurdles winner Bollin Julie. She hails from a family packed with flat and jumping winners and we hope she goes on to have a fine jumping career. We like her a lot and she has been pleasing us in morning exercise for some time. Small field of 6, but this is an interesting race full of promising types for her to come up against on debut.

The best of the Irish raiders looks to be the Crawford Bros. Isenay who ran well in the Goffs Bumper at Punchestown in April. The yard has benefitted enormously from the patronage of Munir & Souede and have been turning out successes on a regular basis with young horses on both sides of the Irish Sea in the last couple of seasons.

Lucinda and Kinneston Nick each have horses having their second runs following runner-up efforts on debut over course and distance. Respectively Esprit du Potier ran in a 'junior' bumper and might find things tougher against older rivals but does get a fair weight allowance, while the form of Lucky Soldier stands close scrutiny and could give another boost to his stable (first winner for a while on Saturday) who have been going through a quiet spell.
Lunar Glow has recorded a couple of solid efforts so far and if he can continue the improvement from those initial outings, he'll take a hand in the finish.

6 runners and most have arguable cases for success. Craig is again in the saddle for the stable, fingers crossed.

Eden Mill (white blaze, centre) with Bollin Matilda (white blaze also, 2nd from the left)