Russell has double hopes on Ayr raid

Grand National-winning trainer sends Bunce and Dark Crystal out with realistic hopes of victory with both

Lucinda Russell is represented by two at Ayr today and BUNCE is backed to score for the Milnathort trainer in the five furlong Totepool Betting On All UK Racing Handicap.

Bunce has found two too good on his last two outings but showed signs of a return to form when keeping on well over six furlongs at the Ayrshire course last week. Russell’s other runner is DARK

CRYSTAL in the previous race and the three-times course and distance winner showed he is in fine fettle with victory at Hamilton over a mile last week.

Most of the penalty for that performance will be offset by Lewis Edmund’s 5lb claim and the six-year-old can chalk up another success.

GAELIC TIGER has made significant strides for David O’Meara this season and can keep up the good work with victory in the Sky Bet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap at Windsor.

He was certainly no slouch for Mark Johnston, winning on his only start for the Middleham trainer last August, but connections opted to ship him out at the autumn sales.

He changed hands for 26,000 guineas at Newmarket, but looks a sharp buy having placed twice and won once for O’Meara already this season.

Gaelic Tiger’s only disappointing run came when stepped up to an extended two miles at York last month, when the trip was clearly beyond him on what was quite sticky ground.

Switched back to a mile and three furlongs at Hamilton subsequently, Gaelic Tiger resumed his upward trajectory with a neck verdict, although he looked decent value for the official margin.

That tight finish means the handicapper could not be too hard and while a 3lb rise is hardly generous, this Teofilo gelding certainly looks capable of more now that connections have found his trip. SELECTIONS:

AYR: 2.00 Safrani, 2.30 Paradise Cove, 3.00 Rubis, 3.30 Gworn, 4.00 Dark Crystal, 4.30 Bunce, 5.00 Tonto’s Spirit.

BRIGHTON: 2.15 Hateya, 2.45 Al Nafoorah, 3.15 Sublime, 3.45 Wapping, 4.15 Entertaining Ben, 4.45 Frank Cool, 5.15 Fanfair.

WINDSOR: 6.00 Prince Ahwahnee, 6.30 Mudallel, 7.00 Biotic, 7.30 GAELIC TIGER (NAP), 8.00 Mabs Cross, 8.30 Secret Potion, 9.00 Darcey Lou.

DOUBLE: Gaelic Tiger and Bunce.

Lucinda Russell: two-pronged attack this afternoon.