3:35 Ayr Tips

Sent off favourite on handicap debut over 3 miles at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and runner-up in a field of 8. Ridden by a conditional jockey in that race and the more experienced Derek Fox takes the reins today.

One of a few coming across from Gordon Elliott's today and this one retains the blinkers that showed some improvement at Gowran Park the last day. Can't ask for a better jockey and the selection runs off a competitive mark in a race that lacks depth.

Shoeshine Boy is bidding for a hat-trick after winning in C&D last time convincingly. The 4 lb rise does not look like a threat, but Kasanova's Dream and Biglesisback will not be easy to beat. So taking an each-way bet looks wise.

Better Be Definite has had two solid course runs here. Last time here he was beaten three lengths into fourth. He was outpaced early but stayed on well off this exact 87 mark, so it says to me he's back to form. A C&D winner already (50% from two runs), he loves the stiff 3m test where he's effective and drops to a mark he’s scored off before. Trainer Alexander targets these spots and has done well in the past.

Completed a hat-trick in December before being found out by the handicapper on the last two runs. Will see out the trip and appreciate moisture in the ground at a course and distance he has had success on before. Should be there or thereabouts. 10/1 EW.

Coylton King is a 6yo gelding trained by Ian Duncan and runs off a mark of 86 with conditional Alan Doyle taking off 3 lb. He makes his handicap hurdle debut and is stepped up considerably in trip. He is actually a half-brother to one of today's rivals, Adveram, who won off 93??'96 and is out of a dam who won six times at Ayr (five class 4 handicaps), with five wins coming on soft??'heavy ground twice over todays CD. He finished 6/14 in his bumper debut at Ayr, beaten 20.25 lengths. Various winners have come out of that race: Kelvin Forlonge (today's CD) and Parish Quiz (23.5f), who finished just ahead, have won staying handicap hurdles off marks of 99 and 94 at Ayr and Newcastle respectively. This makes Coylton King look very well handicapped off an opening 86 and is one to take note of in the betting exchanges.