3:40 Ayr Tips

Beaten favorite in this race last year when having no luck in running. Comes here a better version, having rattled up a quick hat trick and looks some way off her limit yet. Comes here very well in at the weights.

I do like this Territories-sired chestnut gelding who is drawn in stall nine, and the handicapper has given trainer Kevin Ryan hope of a big run appearing. Conditions look ideal, and he arrives at the race in form.

Winner of the Silver Cup here in 2023 from a mark of 87. Runs off a rating of 81 today. Same draw as a big winner over course and distance yesterday. Suited by good to soft ground. Comes here in good form, second on last two starts including C&D on penultimate run.

Won over C&D in July 2023 on soft ground and has already won from this mark this summer with an attacking win at York in June. Enjoys these speed tracks and no reason not to run his race.

Eternal Sunshine is in fantastic form against several opposing rivals. At the odds of 9/4, the value has long gone. Mister Sox was behind her on the last run, finishing to good effect but further back than ideal at these weights. Granted, being closer to the pace can make the favorite work. I envisaged 10/1 getting value at 14/1, bigger still by odd points in a place. Had a busy campaign with the 12th run, but will have the race run to suit. The draw means the option to follow the pace wherever that may be. Historically, the trainer's got a strong record in this.

If the favourite goes, Eternal Sunshine, it will take some beating. But Musical Touch got no run whatsoever when they met at Thirsk and went off favourite that day, heavily eased after getting hampered twice. Will go close with the breaks, hopefully.

JONNY CONCRETE looks a solid bet in this year's Bronze Cup. After a busy and progressive year in 2024, the now 4-y-o laid the foundations for another good season back in May and June. Failed to build on that, with a lesser run last time over 7f at Thirsk not exactly cementing his claims. Still, on the aggregate of his efforts, the local runner certainly ought to be in the mix at the finish.

A hostage to fortune in terms of how the race is run. But he's finished full of running the last twice, including here in what were better races. He's well drawn on ground he likes, and if getting the breaks, he'll go well.

Kevin Ryan has the knack of getting winners in these mega sprint handicaps at Ayr, and he might have found a sprinter capable of handling the challenges they offer. Irish Nectar definitely handles easy ground, and ran quite well at Doncaster last time. Obviously luck is required in a race like this, but given some, Kevin Stott might plot his way to victory.

Yaaser went back into my notebook as a 7-year-old and with one of these 6f Ayr handicaps in mind following his run in the Gold Cup Trial won by Almeraq in July. That horse is a genuine Group horse, and although Yaaser was a never-nearer 3rd, he rattled home from a mark of 80 in what should be similar conditions to today. Had a 7lbs claimer in the saddle that day and hasn't replicated that form since, but he's been running well over a variety of trips, including a good 4th over 8f at York just 5 days after his Ayr effort. I think the yard would have had this weekend marked for some time, and although a mark of 79 doesn't leave him chucked in, it's just 3lbs above his last win. He won on his card last year over 8f from a mark of 68, and I think this race over 6f will really suit given the likely pace on offer and his hold-up style. Yard in good form, and he's no 40/1 shot in my book.

Richard Fahy trains and Oisin Orr is in the saddle and has a great draw in stall two for a 40/1. He acts on soft ground and he was second at Ascot last season off 81. His form has dipped lately with two runs, but they were in very good handicaps, after winning at Hamilton. At these lucrative odds, it might be a case of a second look, especially with Oisin Orr being the stable jockey and he looks to be on the first string of three.

Manila Scouse isn't the most reliable of horses, but on a going day, he is capable of running a big race. Any more rain would be a helpful bonus as he acts very well with cut in the ground. Tim Easterby knows what is needed to win this race, and I think this may have been the target for some time.

Interesting that Richard Fahey persists with trying Azure Zain in high level handicaps. Drawn very high in stall 25. In-form David Egan (SR 23%) rides. Handicapper relents a little this time dropping the rating by four pounds. Easy winner of third start in novice company back in June. Still a little unexposed as a 3yo in this company.

Has only run over this trip once in his career so far, when the ground would have been too fast for him. Soft suits better, and he suggested that he is worth another go over this far when staying on late at Doncaster over the weekend. He is on a workable mark on the best of his form, conditions suit, Mohammed Tabti knows him well, and he might be perked up with blinkers being replaced by cheekpieces.