Stage set for front-runner to make amends

Crawford will employ same tactics on return over shorter trip

ELUSIVE THEATRE drops in trip for the racinguk.com/daypass Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Ayr and it looks a wise move by trainer Stuart Crawford.

She set off like a scalded cat over three miles at the venue last time out in desperate ground and was still some 20 lengths clear approaching the second last.

Unfortunately her early exertions took their toll as she fell and she was down for some time but was thankfully only winded. Whether she would have held on we will never know, but down a mile in trip on her return to the course, her tactics will be no secret.

CASUAL CAVALIER has been in good heart this season and can rattle off a hat-trick in the Racing UK Handicap Chase for George Bewley.

HOT BEAT created a sparkling impression when winning last time out and can follow up in the Betway Handicap at Newcastle.

His trainer David Simcock has been operating at a healthy strike-rate through the winter with his all-weather team but the performance of Hot Beat at Wolverhampton last month might have even surprised him.

Having just his second start for the yard since joining from Germany, where he took park in several Group races, he quickened up like a smart horse to beat Plutocracy.

On his debut for the yard in November he ran in a handicap off 91 but was too keen for his own good and could only finish fifth. He settled better next time, though, and the five-yearold left his rivals trailing.

Off 5lb higher – and in a better race – he obviously faces a tougher task, but there was a lot to like about that last performance.

The sunbets.co.uk Handicap is a cracking race, as it should be for the excellent prize money on offer and it is difficult to rule out any of the 13 runners with confidence.

Off the back of a break, though, Mick Easterby’s HOLIDAY MAGIC makes plenty of appeal.

He won three on the spin at the turn of the year and lost little in defeat last time out, at this track, in a classy race won by Flaming Spear.

Holiday Magic looked sure to win again entering the final furlong but was running on fumes in the final 50 yards and was beaten a length.

That was his fourth run inside a month so coming here off a little break, admittedly with 2lb more on his back, might just help him see out the trip. SELECTIONS:

AYR: 2.20 Rivabodiva, 2.50 Elusive Theatre, 3.20 Plus Jamais, 3.50 Casual Cavalier, 4.20 Un Noble, 4.50 Uncle Alastair.

NEWCASTLE: 2.10 Prairie Impulse, 2.40 Taopix, 3.10 Hot Beat, 3.40 Barwah, 4.10 Holiday Magic, 4.40 Hitchcock, 5.10 Spiraea.

DOUBLE: Elusive Theatre and Holiday Magic.