In-form Mccain looking to bring Home feature prize at Ayr

Some of the leading national hunt trainers in the north lock horns today in the feature race at Ayr where six runners go to post. Coral Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over two miles and half a furlong at 2.10pm gives Dreams Of Home from the in-form yard of Donald Mccain the chance to redeem himself after finishing seventh on his chase debut at Carlisle last month.

The five-year-old won three hurdle races last season and the drop back in trip should see him in better light with Brian Hughes riding. Nicky Richards runs Royal Arcade, making his chase debut and the winner of a hurdle race last season, while Nick Alexander and Lucinda Russell have interesting runners in Dubai Days and Bollingerandkrug respectively.

Phil Kirby sends Be The Difference to Ayr for the second time in six days after his win at the track last Tuesday and the five-year-old should take all the beating in the The Coral Backing Scottish Racing Handicap Hurdle over three miles. The race he won last week was over half a mile shorter but connections must be confident he can successthe fully step up in trip. Warwickshire-based trainer Olly Murphy has a 25 per cent strike rate at the track and saddles Fearless, the mount of Fergus Gregory, in the concluding two mile handicap chase.

At Kempton, Dragon Bones has a good opportunity to record her second victory at Listed level in the Racing TV Mares' Hurdle. The daughter of Passing Glance was a widely unconsidered 40-1 shot when first striking black-type gold in a novice event at Doncaster last season, but has since proved it was no fluke.

The Ian Williams-trained six-year-old went on to enjoy further successes at Hexham, Worcester and Newton Abbot before the end of the campaign, and last month returned to take on the boys at Cheltenham.

While her winning run ultimately came to an end, Dragon Bones lost little in defeat going down by only a length to Irish raider Bardenstown Lad.

She would certainly have finished closer, if not come out on top, had she enjoyed a smoother passage through the race, while the winner also had the advantage of race-fitness.

The third home, Onagatheringstorm, recently returned to Cheltenhamtofinishsecondto the high-class Sporting John, giving the form a very solid look. With that run under her belt, Dragon Bones should be cherry-ripe and is expected to make her presence felt.