Again only 2 low grade meetings today

The N.H. meeting at Lingfield was already abandoned a couple of days ago, so we are left with only Ayr and Southwell (a.w.) today. Further abandonments are also expected this week, e.g. Chepstow tomorrow and Fontwell on Thursday, and there could well be more to follow with the rainy weather continuing. As so often the case here, there is a strong Irish challenge at Ayr today, and both Gordon Elliott and Stuart Crawford have sent over some likely contenders. They appear to have the novice hurdle at 15.20 CET between them, as Fine Rightly (the Crawford brothers) and Layla Joan (Elliott/ Tony McCoy), both unbeaten so far this season, should easily dominate their British opponents. We prefer Layla Joan, who won last time over this CD and looks a good prospect. McCoy has a couple more rides for Elliott at 16.25 and 17.30, but here we prefer She Ranks Me (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and Gansey (Sue Smith/ Ryan Mania) respectively. Gansey has top weight in the most competitive race of the day, but has been running well in good company and although he has not actually won for almost 3 years, still looks the one to beat here. She Ranks Me is making her chasing debut, but was by far the best of these over hurdles. Our each-way longshot of the day is See The Legend (Sandra Forster/ Steve Mulqueen) at 15.55; he finished behind CD specialists Ancient Times and W Six Times last time here, but won this race 2 years ago and seems nicely handicapped now.

The Southwell card is very poor and best given a miss. Nick the Odds (Jo Hughes/ Bem Curtos) showed nothing in 5 starts last year, but reappeared to win over this CD at long odds and then followed up as hot favourite at Wolverhampton; he is up 10 lbs now, but can complete a quick hat-trick in the 3yo handicap at 17.10.