January 10th

Happy New Year!

2:30 BLUE SQUARE SP GUARANTEE HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 2) (4yo+)

Tony McCoy sits out like a sore thumb here and on Money Order we have a worthy favourite. Sure we havent seen him for over a year and his victories have been narrow to say the least the competition is weak here and if it was just a run McCoy would not take the bait. Endless Power is an obvious threat but the form from his last victory. Diamond Frontier is the most likely to either chase home McCoy or touch him out and the other danger is Tartan Snow but not threatening enough to question the favourite.

Selection: Money Order
Danger 1: Diamond Frontier
Danger 2: Tartan Snow

3:00 BLUE SQUARE HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 2) (5yo+,0-145)

The last time we covered the Scoop 6 for the blog it was the Tommy Whittle at Haydock and the winner of that race reappears here. Malko De Beaumont was selected as Danger 2 that day but ran out a nice winner in the end. That was over a furlong shorter than this trip but the way he finished the race at Haydock gives me no concerns that he won’t get 25f here. The ground is likely to be soft as at Haydock, which he thrives on. The only slight negative is the increase in weight this time, although doesn’t carry top weight. That privilege goes to Gypsy George. His last run was in the Welsh National over Christmas which was a step into the unknown distance wise. He was pulled up that day but reverts back here to 25f where he has course and distance form. He’s another who won’t be put off by the soft conditions, he should be there at the death. Frankie Figg represents the Howard Johnson yard. He has won over the trip and on soft ground, but a couple of penultimate fence falls in the past makes me question his stamina towards the end of his races. See You There will be hoping to put in a better effort than when last seen pulling up in the London National. Prior to that run he had two victories including taking the scalp of Idle Talk. Has won over 25f on heavy in the past so no problems with the state of the ground for him either. Could figure in the places. Jass hasn’t seen the winners enclosure for well over a year and would need a substantial improvement to take this. His 2 best runs over fences have been over this distance on heavy ground but in lower classes of race. Chopneyev appears out of his depth here and First Look, was beaten by Malko De Beaumont in November over 21f, has only tried 3m once before when well beaten. - VE

Selection: Malko De Beaumont

Danger 1: Gypsy George
Danger 2: See You There

3:15 LIVE CASINO GAMES @ WILLIAMHILL.COM HANDICAP (CLASS 4) (4yo+,0-85)

A race of interesting tactics, as only 2 of the runners are likely to want to race prominently from the off and I think they could well have it pretty easy in front. The two are Monkey Glas and Pegasus Again, and if Southandwest does not run (won previous day) they may be able to stretch out of reach from the hold up horses. Monkey Glas has the blinkers on for the first time, which may help him focus and go through with his efforts, he seems to be a thinker, and this is a perfect opportunity for him to make every yard of the running. He will need to shrug Pegasus Again off from the stalls, and get to the rail, but if he does that then he has to be in with a great chance. Pegasus Again has the best draw, and if he gets out with Monkey Glas, he should get the rail sit and take the best route around the course. Of those coming from off the pace I think Southandwest would have a great chance, after winning with something in hand last time out. He may find this race coming too soon and therefore possibly Resplendent Nova could finish best of those held up.

Selection: Monkey Glas
Danger 1: Pegasus Again
Danger 2: Resplendent Nova

3:30 BLUE SQUARE MOBILE HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 3) (4yo+,0-125)

Again the favourite, Princess Flame, has to be up there based on her victory last time out and its McCoy on board again and I fancy a small risk on Los Nadis with Flinty taking 7lbs of his back but I think he'll need a bit more than that to win. Instead it is Prosecco, weighted lightest in no doubt a certain bog who shall be my selection, consistency is something I like at Ayr as well as a victory over the course so that is the selection.

Selection: Prosecco
Danger 1: Princess Flame
Danger 2: Los Nadis

3:45 WILLIAM HILL TELEBETTING SALE - 0800 44 40 40 HANDICAP (CLASS 6) (4yo+,0-54)

A competitive handicap over 7 furlongs, which high drawn horses will be at a good advantage, and as such it is hard to look beyond those drawn 9 to 14. The best drawn is a possible improver in First In Show who does not have much to find on his recent handicap efforts, he now has the blinkers on which could provide much improvement. He has to beat a couple of useful sorts here though and I am siding with Lady Aspen, who ran a great race at this course last time out. She was up against a much better field than this and to get as close as she did is a massive credit. She races reasonably close to the pace, and as such may get a decent passage through the race. Straight Face could be the one to take them along early, and from this good draw, with a low weight and course form he is feared.
This is a tough handicap of little quality, which I am putting Lady Aspen forward as the most likely winner.

Selection: Lady Aspen
Danger 1: First In Show
Danger 2: Straight Face

4:00 AYR NOVICES' HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 4) (4yo+,0-100)

A tricky 11 runner Novice Hurdle to end with this week. None of these have so far managed a win over hurdles. Zaffarella was the forecast favourite at time of writing. She was a well beaten 4th on her first outing this season when stepped back to 2 miles after several attempts over longer distances. Royal Flynn has some victories to his name on the flat in handicaps but has never really transformed that when going over hurdles. Za Beau has won over fences but never over the smaller objects. Her most promising hurdles effort came in July when 2nd at Perth. The ground would appear a major worry. American World carries top weight. Conditions under foot may suit him more than most, although the form figures are pretty uninspiring. The same can be said of Lady Chatelaine. 4th over course and distance on heavy ground in December, she could figure here. Stepchange’s last effort was by far his best although it came over half a mile more than this race. He may be tapped for toe come the finish. - VE

Selection: Lady Chatelaine
Danger 1: Royal Flynn
Danger 2: American World

1. Money Order
2. Malko De Beaumont
3. Monkey Glas
4. Prosecco
5. Lady Aspen
6. Lady Chatelaine