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Marown can strike for Richards

3 minute read

Marown looks a likely winner for Nicky Richards and Brian Hughes in the Marlene McPherson 65th Birthday Handicap Chase at Ayr.

Trainer : Nicky Richards. Picture: PA Images.

The Milan gelding won twice over hurdles and once over fences at the Scottish track in 2020, so clearly has a liking for the place.

He went on to be placed in smart novice chase company last winter, but subsequently spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines and his first couple of efforts after returning were a little underwhelming.

However, having dropped from a high of 140 to a mark of 128 ahead of his first start of the current campaign here in October, he ran his best race for a while in finishing second to Elvis Mail.

The Nick Alexander-trained Wakool is another horse with winning course form worth following in the Golf Inn Prestwick Handicap Hurdle.

The grey bolted up at Ayr in January and defied an 11lb higher mark on his reappearance run here in late October.

That victory encouraged connections to have a crack at the lucrative Stayers' Handicap Hurdle on Betfair Chase day at Haydock, but he was never able to land a telling blow.

His no-show on Merseyside has prompted the handicapper to relent, dropping him a couple of pounds, and he must have every chance of bouncing back to winning ways.

Alexander might also be on the mark with Gaillimh A Stor in the Karaoke At The Golf Inn Prestwick Novices' Handicap Chase.

The Presenting gelding looked really smart when winning here in the spring, but has been beaten twice under a penalty in novice hurdle company since returning to action.

There was merit in both of those performances, however, as he was only beaten a neck by the now 120-rated Salvino on his Kelso comeback, while he was perhaps unfortunate to bump into a smart one in Largy Shark on his most recent outing here.

Hailing from an Irish point-to-point background, Gaillimh A Stor could scale even greater heights now sent chasing and could be capable of defying top-weight.

I See You Well is a dour stayer and gets the nod in the BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase.

Trained by Seamus Mullins, he arrives on the back of a good win last time out at Sandown.

Despite a 3lb rise, he should still be competitive.

Heat Of Summer is worth a small interest on the all-weather at Lingfield.

Jane Chapple-Hyam's youngster has not troubled the judge in three outings so far, but now enters the handicap arena for the first time from an opening perch of 72.

It will be interesting to see how the market reacts ahead of the talkSPORT Powered By Fans Fillies' Handicap, but she certainly merits a look.

Noisy Night looks the best bet at Newcastle in the Spreadex Sports Best Odds On Sunderland Handicap.

Twice a winner at Kempton last year, the gelded son of Night In Thunder was off the track for 15 months prior to his head defeat at this track at the start of December.

That effort should have blown away a few cobwebs and running off just a 1lb higher mark, and with Hollie Doyle booked, everything points to a big effort.

SELECTIONS:

AYR: 12.45 Glen Cannel, 1.15 Soleil De Cannes, 1.45 MAROWN (NAP), 2.15 Gaillimh A Stor, 2.45 Wakool, 3.15 Halondo, 3.45 Escapeandevade.

LINGFIELD: 12.23 Dubai Immo, 12.53 Alternativa, 1.23 Heat Of Summer, 1.53 Hit Mac, 2.23 Gilded Moon, 2.53 Aurophobia, 3.23 Lady Ursula.

NEWCASTLE: 2.38 Skye Breeze, 3.08 Anif, 3.38 Dream Final, 4.10 Noisy Night, 4.40 Blind Beggar, 5.10 Whiteandblue, 5.40 Mr Rascal.

PLUMPTON: 12.30 Stage Star, 1.00 Hansard, 1.30 Twinjets, 2.00 Doireann, 2.30 Tip Top Mountain, 3.00 I See You Well, 3.30 Pilsdon Pen.

DOUBLE: Marown and Wakool.