Ayr racecourse
Ayr racecourse

Sunday's racing preview: Tips and advice from Ashley Iveson


Gworn can continue his love affair with Ayr today, according to Ashley Iveson - he has a tip for every race at every meeting.

The seven-year-old has made more appearances at the Scottish venue than anywhere else, but five wins and four placed efforts from a total of 18 Flat starts is a more than respectable record.

Three of those victories have come this season, his most recent triumph coming over the course and distance little over a fortnight ago.

The handicapper is bound to catch up with him eventually, but he has won from his current perch of 81 before and he seems to be in the form of his life.

Mike Smith's charge has built up a fine relationship with PJ McDonald, who takes the ride again, and it will be a surprise if he does not at least take a hand in the finish.

Dark Profit bolted up on his first visit to Ayr and could well follow up in the totepool Betting On All UK Racing Handicap.

The five-year-old was snapped up for the relatively modest fee of 30,000 guineas by trainer Keith Dalgleish in October 2015.

He did not make his debut for his new connections until this season, but after three decent efforts in defeat, he hit the bullseye in some style here last month.

The assessor has not taken any chances by handing him a 7lb rise, but he is just the sort of horse Dalgleish excels with and it is not hard to see him running up a sequence in the coming weeks.

Western Miller gets the nod in the Tom Halliday Memorial Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen.

The six-year-old has not seen much action in the last year and his career looked to be going nowhere after his final start of last year at Fontwell.

His return from a seven-month lay-off at Ludlow in May did not offer much promise either, but the application of a tongue-strap seemed to make all the difference when he dotted up at Bangor last month.

That victory might have given him just the confidence booster he needed and with a sound surface to suit and a fine rider booked in Charlie Deutsch, he ticks plenty of boxes in the opener in Lincolnshire.

The Don Noble Handicap Hurdle looks an interesting heat, with Oscarteea of obvious interest.

The eight-year-old was a very useful bumper performer in his youth and he was second in a Listed event at Haydock a few years ago.

He seems to have had his fair share of problems since and has never really delivered on his early promise, but he recorded his first win in a long time in facile style here at the start of June, suggesting he retains at least some of his natural ability.

Oscarteea is in his second stint with Peter Bowen, who has been having winners under both codes of late, and a 13lb rise might not be insurmountable.

Sporting Life suggestions


AYR: 1.40 Pouvoir Magique, 2.10 GWORN (NAP), 2.45 Regal Mirage, 3.15 Fred Watson, 3.50 Crazy Tornado, 4.20 Town Charter, 4.55 Dark Profit, 5.30 Perfect Words.

LIMERICK: 1.30 Cottonvale, 2.00 Madurai, 2.35 Knockraha King, 3.05 Jack Slade, 3.40 Top Of The Town, 4.10 Meadow Cross, 4.45 The King Of Brega, 5.20 Ainsi Va La Vie.

MARKET RASEN: 1.50 Western Miller, 2.25 Air Squadron, 2.55 Mille Nautique, 3.30 Work In Progress, 4.00 Maxed Out King, 4.35 Oscarteea, 5.10 Magnolia Ridge.

DOUBLE: Gworn and Dark Profit.

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