5:20 Ayr Tips

Been running over longer distances and in better company recently. Ran a creditable third last time out in a grade higher. Runs well with a cut in the ground.

Sophisticate was running from out of the weights when up in grade yesterday, and this looks like a much more suitable trip and level. Got this trip when winning at Musselburgh the run before last and could repeat here.

Valley Of Flowers (IRE) is a 7-year-old bay mare by Slade Power out of Miss Cape, trained by Samantha & Jacqueline Coward, and will be ridden by Joanna Mason. She carries an official rating of 70. Although she hasn’t won in 2 years, she’s been running well, placing frequently, and comes here with the form to suggest she’s still competitive. She excels over this distance, having won this very race in both 2022 and 2023, showing she handles Ayr’s stiff finish when conditions are right. Her last outing at Thirsk over a shorter trip saw her caught out of her favoured range??'she was outpaced early but stayed on strong in the finish. This return to 1m 5f plus on more suitable ground should suit better. With Joanna Mason in the plate and given her track record at Ayr, Valley Of Flowers offers strong each-way value. If she gets a decent pace to aim at, she could well be knocking on the door late.

This looks like a very moderate staying handicap, with some very iffy characters in the lineup. Two Auls Pals will like the ground, and given a fast pace, he can come with a late rattle to win. Oisin Orr has built a good rapport with him and might get another win from him.