Rioja Day can leave patchy form behind

TIPS: Goldie’s hope makes swift return after second over course and distance

Ayr’s meeting will have to survive a precautionary inspection at 8 o’clock this morning.

The going is heavy and Jim Goldie’s RIOJA DAY will be looking to go one better after last week’s second over course and distance.

The seven-year-old was beaten by one-and-a-half lengths by Cliff Bay on soft ground but will relish the chance to put that right in division two of the Tennent’s Handicap.

The Hamilton winner has been an inconsistent competitor but, with Sean Mooney in the saddle again, must be in with a fair shout.

Karl Burke has double hopes with JAY KAY and WAX AND WANE.

The former was another course and distance winner last week but should have enough to overcome the penalty for that solid victory

It will be interesting to see how sharp hurdler DUSKY LEGEND gets on over fences in Worcester’s British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase.

Trainer Alan King will be keen to kick on with the seven-year-old as she was not overly appreciative of deep, winter ground over hurdles.

Third in the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, if she can bring to the table anywhere near that sort of form over fences Dusky Legend could be in for a most profitable campaign. SELECTIONS:

AYR: 2.00 Wax And Wane, 2.30 Ingleby Angel, 3.05 Rioja Day, 3.35 Jay Kay, 4.05 Mambo Dancer, 4.40 Buonarroti, 5.10 Mustaqbal.

WORCESTER: 1.50 Dusky Legend, 2.20 Get Ready Freddy, 2.55 Cereal Killer, 3.25 Some Ambition, 3.55 Counter Shy, 4.30 Mon Palois, 5.00 Sissinghurst, 5.30 Stonemadforspeed.

Double: Rioja Day and Dusky Legend.