Sheriff top bet to make Ayr raid
Whoshotthesheriff can take top on the opening day of Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting.
The Listed Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase over an extended two and a half miles is the feature – and Phil Kirby's charge arrives with his confidence riding high after a recent success at Carlisle.
A winner at Wetherby in October, Whoshotthesheriff lost his way for a bit before embarking on a 52-day break in January, a holiday which seemed to have the desired effect in freshening him up for the spring.
Returned to action at Carlisle just under two weeks ago, Whoshotthesheriff made the most of a dip in class to run out a four-and-a-quarterlength winner, seemingly having plenty in hand as he cruised home after the last.
He shoulders a 5lb penalty for that success, but as the handicapper has raised him 6lb he is technically well in with better spring ground a definite positive factor.
Soft Risk tackles the Re- mus Uomo Handicap Hurdle rather than the Scottish Champion Hurdle at the weekend and the hint should be taken.
Nicky Richards' runner was unbeaten in his bumper and his first three starts over hurdles before having to settle for second on his first attempt in handicap company at Newcastle in February.
He bumped into a similarly unexposed and progressive type in Since Day One, losing little in defeat with his mark of 123 inched up 1lb subsequently.
The six-year-old looks a classy type and this race might be an ideal next step.
Get A Tonic should probably be a Listed winner and holds the strongest claims in the Coral mares' Handicap Hurdle, despite being saddled with top-weight.
Beaten three lengths by subsequent Grade One winner Marie's Rock on penultimate start, Get A Tonic travelled well at Doncaster last time, but struggled to find a clear run and when she did get a bit of space, she hung across the track.
Given she was beaten just half a length and was staying on all the way to the line, Get A Tonic could well have come home in front granted a bit of luck. The handicapper has dropped her 4lb and her mark of 130 could be generous.
Irish Hill ran a creditable race in defeat at Newbury and can go one place better in the BetVictor Gamble Responsibly Handicap Hurdle back at the Berkshire track.
He found Punctuation's finishing flourish too strong, going down by a length and a quarter, with a mistake at the last costing him valuable momentum against an improving rival.
That was Irish Hill's first try in handicap company and while up 5lb, a new mark of 112 i s not insurmountable.