Picks for Friday at Ayr....

Thursday, 10th April 2025

Picks for Friday at Ayr….

After the Grand National meeting….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat up at Ayr….

I’m on SURE TOUCH at 11s in the 3.15….

…. and I’m on I LOVE MY BAIE at 12s & 11s in the 4.25….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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I’m a bit later than usual getting into your email box today….

…. on account of waiting for most of the bookies to go up with prices for tomorrow’s card at Ayr….

…. until about 5.00pm only William Hill had obliged by forming a market….

I’m having a crack at the 11s about SURE TOUCH in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at 3.15….

The 9yo is back down to his last winning mark of 137….

…. and whilst he looks a little out of form on paper….

…. he was up against the it the way the race was run at Kempton last time….

…. and we’re running into his time of the year rather than out of it….

On top of that his yard is holding its form better than most in this late stage of the season ….

In an ideal world, he probably wants the ground a tad livelier than it will be tomorrow….

…. that’s the niggle….

…. but some opponents are well-and-truly out of form and some want it softer underfoot….

…. and – at the price – I reckon he’s a decent each-way shout….

In the Coral Handicap Hurdle at 4.25 I’m having a swing at the 12s & 11s about I LOVE MY BAIE….

As with the previous race it’s hard to fancy some of the  runners at all….

…. and whilst this one returns off a 305-day break….

…. he’s run well fresh in the past….

I’m mindful that he produced a decent performance at this meeting last term….

…. when placing in the 3m novice handicap hurdle – having won at the track previously…

I’m not sure he quite saw the trip out that last day and I see the step back tomorrow as something of a positive….

…. so too the fact that he runs for Stuart Crawford who targeted this race successfully back in 2017 with Gilt Shadow….

I think the 7yo – one of the least exposed runners in the race – is a fair bet at the odds….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with selections for Saturday at Ayr & Newbury….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd