Ayr Monday

After last week's stellar performance by Pallas Lord in notching up a hat-trick of wins at Newcastle's AW track, it's back to jumps for the yard at Ayr on Monday with a couple of runners who each have each way chances. Going is heavy.

Ayr 26th February : 2.05 pm 2m 4½f 0-110 Handicap Chase (Class 4)

Nights In Venice hasn't quite been seeing out his races, so this will be his second race back after a minor wind operation. Up in class and a drop back to 2½ miles may seem like an odd choice but his jumping was excellent last time on chase debut, so this faster pace may suit. That's the theory anyway.
Henry Brooke is once more in the saddle for the Legends In Disguise partnership.

Todhunter's Fio Fuinidh is also making his second appearance following a wind operation. We remember this lad from last January when trouncing our own Eden Mill here over hurdles, so there is latent ability to hand.

Talking of wind ops, Kinneston Nick's Travail D'Orfrevre has had his fair share but this triple winner has been in consistently fine form for over a year now, acts on heavy and looks to have a favourite's chance.

Lucinda's Indian Louis didn't jump all that well when a beaten favourite over c&d a couple of weeks ago. But had previously been impressive when winning on chase debut at Musselburgh. Lightly raced gelding - he's only a 6 yr old. Oh, and he's has a wind op too.

That leaves Jolly Nellerie (blinkers first time) and Willie Young Jnr's Ardera Cross (cheekpieces), neither of whom have sought improvement to their breathing via the surgeon..... as far as we know.

Ayr 26th February : 3.35 pm 2m 4½f  0-120  Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

First venture into handicap hurdling company for our promising novice Both Barrels.

At the top of the handicap he faces Nicky's Better Getalong who has been a standing dish at Ayr for most of his racing career. The 13 yr old has won 4 times at the course, the latest being in early December, the first being in a bumper 7 years prior.
Kinneston Nick's Duyfken has been in consistently good form over the past couple of months and is an obvious danger.
But the one we've all got to beat looks to be Jackie Stephen's Eire Street who showed much improved form on only his 2nd start for that yard when cruising to victory over 2m 1f at Carlisle recently. He should stay this increase in trip and if this race isn't coming too soon, should be able to defy a 7lb penalty.

Both Barrels has shown progressive form over hurdles this season but you'd think he'd have to continue to leap forward to have a say in this race.
Placed on all of his 5 starts, improvement is not beyond the realms of possibility.....

Craig Nichol rides for owner Ann Marshall.

Both Barrels (right) with Nights In Venice