Ayr and Wolverhampton

With Ludlow off, Ayr now stages the only jumps racing today and Donald McCain can start the ball rolling by winning the first two races, both novice hurdles, with Desert Cry and Ballabriggs at 14.15 CET and 14.45 respectively, both with Jason Maguire in the saddle. Desert Cry, who had useful flat form in France, made a pleasing debut in the U.K. when 5th of 12 to the smart Credit Swap at Leicester, whil Ballabriggs is the most interesting runner of the day. He is regarded as the stable´s main hope for the Grand National (which McCain´s father won 4 times) and the 10yo won his first hurdle race recently when scoring easily at Wincanton; despite a penalty he should follow up today, as on his excellent chasing form (including a win at the Cheltenhm Festival) he is close to unbeatable.

The other race of interest at Ayr is the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.25. Blackpool Billy (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) is the obvious favourite here, having finished runner-up on both starts after a 2 year break, but we shall give another chance to German-bred Quicuyo (James Ewart/ Ryan Mania). Previously trained by the ill-fated Peter Monteith, he has been out of form on all recent starts but has as a consequence dropped to a very low rating. He runs his best races here, and in fact 3 of his 4 wins have come at Ayr.

The Wolverhampton card kicks off with two handicaps for amateurs, followed by a seller and a claimer - all races usually best left alone. The 3yo handicap over 9 1/2 furlongs at 16.15 has only 5 runners and should lie between Memorabilia (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), who has won both his starts this year, including this CD, and Sir Randolf (Sylvester Kirk/ Dane O´Neill), runner-up last time at Lingfield to Aquilifer, a winner since. The Johnston/ Fanning also has a chance in the 3yo maiden at 17.50 with the well-bred debutant Falmouth Bay, but Crafty Roberto (Brian Meehan/ Shane Kelly) could have a fitness advantage here and is preferred. Broughtons Day (Willie Musson/ Chris Catlin) won yesterday at Kempton; if he turns out again for the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.20 he can land a quick 24 hour double.