1:43 Ayr Tips

A beaten favorite over further at Lingfield last time out and ridden by today's jockey. That was his first attempt beyond two and a half miles, and he should welcome this drop back in trip.

FOSTERED PHIL has been in good form recently and looks the obvious value selection in the race at his current odds. This 2m4½f trip on forecast Soft ground looks much more his thing, and I also like the booking of Derek Fox. The favourite, Saracen Beau (5/2), is an obvious danger after three good runs on Good ground and one on Good to Soft. However, his only run on Soft so far ended in a pull-up, which at least gives us some hope he could be vulnerable if conditions turn testing.

This doesn't appear to have a great deal of depth about it despite the number of runners. Kool Raoul was a bit disappointing at Musselburgh on New Year's Day, but I would put that down to him not being quite ready for the step up to three miles. He had run some decent races prior to that, and he did run a very good race in a bumper at Kelso last February, suggesting he is up to winning at this level. If things work out this time, he could pop in at a very nice price.

Eloi Du Puy was 3rd over course and distance on heavy ground off 113 last February. He is now getting some respite from the handicapper, dropping to 109, and could go well in first-time cheekpieces.

This 7-year-old is a solid and consistent performer at this trip over handicap hurdles, boasting three wins over this C&D and clearly having a fondness for the track. He recently clinched a Class 4 handicap hurdle here in November and followed it up with a respectable fourth-place finish over 3m this month. His strength lies in distances around this trip, and he thrives on soft ground. If you're looking for a reliable horse at the handicap level that often hits the frame, he is excellent value at 14/1 each-way.