Saturday horse racing tips: Ross Millar provides a race-by-race guide for Ayr's undercard

After a brief spell on the Flat, we are back to the jumps and off to Ayr for the second day of the Scottish Grand National meeting. 

Our horse racing writer Ross Millar has provided a race-by-race guide for the undercard at Saturday's featured meeting.

1.15 Ayr, 2m½f Listed handicap chase

The Tom Lacey-trained Sebastopol is bound to be popular after his impressive win at Kempton two weeks ago, especially as the form of that race has been boosted by runner-up Golden Boy Grey, who went one place better on his next start. However, Sebastopol was hit with an 8lb hike for that win and has previously proved difficult to win with (runner-up seven times in his last ten starts). 

I prefer Peter Niven’s stablestar Malystic, who has won two of her four chase starts and finished second to Allmankind on this card last year when she failed to stay 2m4f.

It’s notable that she underwent wind surgery before her belated seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last month, and ran with real zest before unseating at the first fence in the home straight. With champion jockey elect Brian Hughes booked, she is the one to beat.

Selection: Malystic @ 13/2

1.50 Ayr, 3m Novices’ Champion Hurdle Chase

I was impressed with Dusart’s jumping on his most recent start in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham given he was somewhat unconvincing on his previous starts at Leicester and Exeter. 

The return to a left-handed track clearly helped and only the rain-saturated ground ebbed his stamina in the closing stages. He’s previously shown a liking for a sound surface - he beat Soaring Glory on his hurdling debut and chased home Belfast Banter in a Grade 1 at Aintree on just his second lifetime start. 

I’m confident that a mark of 147 underestimates his ability and, providing he’s none the worse for his effort at Cheltenham, he’ll take all the beating.

Selection: Dusart @ 2/1

2.25 Ayr, 2m Scottish Champion Hurdle

This isn’t the most inspiring race for a ‘Champion Hurdle’, but it is a competitive heat. 

West Cork was an impressive winner of the Greatwood at the start of the season but failed to back that run up a month later at Ascot. He finished a solid fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, but is now 8lb higher than when last successful and is probably better fresh.

Milkwood won this race last year and could be primed for this, but he often makes jumping errors at crucial moments and a mark of 150 might leave him vulnerable.

I prefer Barrichello, a winner of four races this season. The form of his Warwick victory looks particularly strong - he only won narrowly but was conceding 6lb to runner-up Good Risk At All, who then bolted up on his next start and earned a rating of 137. Barrichello could still be improving and a mark of 134 looks more than fair.

Selection: Barrichello @ 15/2

3.00 Ayr, 2m4½f Grade 2 Future Champions Novices’ Chase

This is a trappy little race, and the only thing I’m confident about is that none of the five runners will be future champions. Kiltealy Briggs, who needs softer ground, and Jacamar, who is better when sent right-handed, look to have plenty to find. While, Do Your Job might not be ready for this just yet and is prone to a jumping error.

Il Ridoto looked smart when he won at Newbury earlier in the season but has been a weak-finisher since. This step up in trip on better ground could see him improve, but he runs with a tongue-tie fitted and that leads me to wonder if his wind is a minor issue.

Marginal preference is for Minella Drama, who isn’t favoured by the conditions of the race and has to concede 5lb all round. However, he looked steadily progressive over fences prior to disappointing in the Pendil last time.

I’m happy to put a line through that run as I’m sure he wasn’t at his best on the tight, right-handed track, and his prior form makes him the standout player. 

Selection: Minella Drama @ 9/4

4.10 Ayr, 2m5½f handicap hurdle

This is a wide-open affair. Bass Rock looks to bounce back to form after failing to stay 3m on soft ground last time. This trip will suit him and he looks to have leading claims.

However, I like the chances of Aurora Thunder, who has two course victories to her name at this track. She’s shown a liking for a sound surface and the aforementioned Alan Doyle takes off a useful 7lb. He’s ridden her the last twice, both at Kelso, and each time she has finished strongly over 2m4f, so the extra distance will play to her strengths.

Selection: Aurora Thunder @ SP

4.45 Ayr, 2m4½f handicap hurdle

This all revolves around the Gordon Elliott-trained Platinumcard, who was due to make his handicap debut at Ayr on Friday. There is every chance that he’ll be turned out again just 24 hours later. 

He looks well handicapped off a mark identical to that of his flat rating, but it’s over a year since he last ran over hurdles so I’m loathed to select him at prohibitive odds.

Preference is for Getareason, who looked to bounce back to form when a cosy winner last time out. Peter Coleman’s 3lb claim negates the majority of the penalty for that victory and Rebecca Menzies continues to have her string in excellent form.

Selection: Getareason @ 8/1

5.15 Ayr, 2m bumper

Call Me Harry was out of his depth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and will feel more at home in the Ayr finale. However, a double penalty makes life tough.

Idem has had a nice break since shaping nicely at Aintree in a junior bumper - he showed good speed on that occasion and possibly didn’t get home after racing keenly. If that experience has helped him improve he could well be up to winning this.

Selection: Idem @ SP

Recommended bets

Malystic (1.15 Ayr) @ 13/2
Dusart (1.50 Ayr) @ 2/1
Barrichello (2.25 Ayr) @ 15/2
Minella Drama (3.00 Ayr) @ 9/4
Aurora Thunder (4.10 Ayr) @ SP
Getareason (4.45 Ayr) @ 8/1
Idem (5.15 Ayr) @ SP