Three runners at Ayr on Tuesday

Ayr 13th February : 3.55 pm 3m ½f  0-110 handicap hurdle (Class 4)

13 runners with all but one emanating from the Celtic nations.
The odd one out (so to speak) is Gillian Boanas's Teescomponentstrig who was a good 2nd to subsequent scorer (and up in grade) Curley Finger at Newcastle in early January. This gelding takes a drop in grade here and looks to hold a leading chance.

Still, we head into this event with a two-pronged approach - Shoeshine Boy (Craig) & Enemy At The Gate (Henry) both run.....

The normally consistent Shoeshine Boy was well below par last time, so has a bit to prove. He wears a first time tongue tie.

Shoeshine Boy (Laura)

Enemy At The Gate found only Cream of the West (re-opposes today but 2lb worse off) 1¼ lengths too good for him here at the end of December over 2m 5½f. So it'll be tight between this pair.

In an open handicap, a lively outsider may be the Crawford Bros.' Paddy Elvis who makes his handicap debut here.

Good luck to all!!

Enemy At The Gate (Rhae)

Ayr 13th February : 4.30 pm 3m  0-105 handicap chase (Class 5)

As long as the ground is not too testing, Cowboy Cooper (Craig Nichol) can look to build on his initial attempt over fences when 3rd at Catterick in this staying chase.

But this is a competitive affair with Post Chaise, Deep Charm, Baron Briggs and Camp Belan all holding viable winning chances.

Quick return to Newcastle for Pallas Lord

Newcastle 13th February : 4.58 pm 7f  0-55 apprentice handicap (Class 6)

Having recorded his second victory of the All Weather season at Newcastle on Saturday, Pallas Lord returns to that Tyneside venue on Wednesday. Some slight changes though as this race sees a drop back in trip to 7 furlongs, carrying a 5lb extra penalty for that win and a first acquaintance with apprentice Archie Young.
Archie is a local Hawick lad who is based with Charlie Johnson and has ridden a couple of handful of winners to date. In this Apprentice handicap, he claims 5lb.

Although Pallas Lord is in fine form, the 5lb penalty - taking him to a rating of OR59 - so this rise may just find him out.

Like Pallas Lord, Possible Ambition is burdened with 5lb extra for a Saturday night win and stays much further which may open the door for Linda's consistent Bernie the Bear.

Best of luck to young Archie and connections.