1:45 Ayr Tips

This was one of Olly Murphy’s horses to follow last season and he duly obliged with a cosy victory on his hurdle bow at Warwick. The seven-year-old subsequently picked up an injury and they were hoping to get him out just after Xmas, with the aim of taking a crack at the Swinton. Clearly they are running out of time to get him in there for next month, so hopefully they won’t be wasting any time. I am convinced he could be 130+ and hopefully he can overcome his inexperience and win off 120 here.

Ran well at Cheltenham lto but for a mistake at the last would have finished closer will find this more suitable and could go close again

Triple Crown Ted has been in top form of late. He ran well last time out over course and distance against a good one and is capable of better with a progressive profile.

Just denied on handicap debut at Kelso but rallied well and was strong at the finish. Won a maiden hurdle here on the next start. The McManus horse in third has won a handicap since from a mark of 106, so has to be a player here at the right end of the weights.

Room for improvement from the 5yo, 1 win from 5 over hurdles. He aimed a little high last time out, running in a Grade 2. He’s had a nice seven-week break since. He did go close in his previous race, a strong-looking handicap. This race looks much more winnable, and he’s effectively 8 lb better off now with a good apprentice in the saddle.

Win, lose or dead heat I think Ravenscraig Castle is completely overrrated here. Yes, it's competitive but the price looks ridiculous for a horse which seems to prefer jumps to flat

With a strong history at Ayr, where he has won three of his four career victories, this course specialist is now dropping back to 2m on soft ground. Given that he typically excels in these conditions, the 10-year-old poses a serious each-way threat at 28/1.