Alexander looks to get off to flyer at Ayr with quickfire double

Fife trainer Nick Alexander heads to Ayr today with eight runners across the seven-race Virgin Bet Raceday and he will be hoping to get the afternoon off to a good start as he has fancied runners in the first two races. Offensive, the mount of Conor O’farrell, lines up in the opener at 1.00pm the Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle for the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup, and returns to the scene of her win last month. She could be given most to do here by Jessiemac who is in great form having won at Catterick in January and then been runner-up at Ayr last month.

Alexander then saddles Ned Tanner in the feature contest the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle for the Craigie Cup over two miles three-and-a-half furlongs at 1.35pm and he will be hoping a drop back in trip will suit this lightly-raced sixyear-old.

Last time out at the track over three miles the gelding finished third and he will be fancied to be in the shake up here on better ground. Grand Morning who won the 2021 running of the race lines up for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox while Nicky Richards’ Better Getacharm long is also a course and distance winner.

Ardera Cross goes for his seventh Ayr win in the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Chase at 2.10om and his trainer Willie Young Jnr will be hoping for another big run from a horse who cost him a mere £1,000.

The action runs through until the final race at 4.30pm, the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle where champion jockey-elect Brian Hughes teams up with Paddy The Panda for trainer Daragh Bourke.

At Sandown, Knappers Hill can prove class always rises to the top in the European Breeders' Fund Paddy Power "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final.

The Paul Nicholls-trained top-weight still has the option of running in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival but taking in this race, which is worth more money and has no Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott representative, looks far more sensible.

A mark of 135 could seriously underestimate him and with Nichollsnowbackingoodform, he is a confident selection.