Racing Europe 8/1 @ Ayr

Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Friday; Racing Europe in the Ayr 14:30. Compare odds and bet.

Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting kicks off this afternoon and the 3m novices’ handicap hurdle looks a decent event from a punting perspective.

Nicky Richards’ Sir Vinksi is a horse I have plenty of time for and this was nominated as his next target when winning at the track last month.  In fact, the lightly raced six-year-old is two from two at the course and remains on a fair mark, so should go close if improving for the longer trip as his trainer expects him to.

At the prices, however, the one I prefer is Racing Europe (2:30) who has a couple of decent pieces of handicap form to his name, notably at Haydock on his penultimate outing, when fourth in a warm Pertemps qualifier.

Yesterday’s Cheltenham winner Aqalim hailed from that contest and Brian Ellison’s imposing six-year-old has the scope to progress further over hurdles, before he embarks on his career over fences.  A winner on decent ground in an Irish point-to-point, he also showed fair bumper form on good-to-soft ground, so the drying conditions should not pose any problems.

The selection was available at 8-1 with Bet365 overnight and he should be backed each-way, in what looks a competitive affair.

Friday’s selection:
2:30 Ayr: Racing Europe; 8/1 bet365

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