AYR stages a cracking card today with the Scottish Grand National one of several highlights. The inform Act The Wag could be the answer to this difficult handicap.
Martin Todhunter's improving chaser rattled off a hat trick earlier in the season with wins at Catterick, Newcastle and Sandown but then appeared to lose his way somewhat with disappointing runs at Uttoxeter and Carlisle.
But tried in blinkers last time at Sedgefield, Act The Wag showed improved form to run out a very easy winner. Held up by Paul Carberry, the eight year old made steady headway to join issue five fences from home. Left in the lead when Over The Stream fell two out, Act The Wag cruised home eased down to score by one and a half lengths from Royal Saxon.
Off only a 2lb higher mark now, Act The Wag can continue his progress by landing this £65,000 contest.
Tullymurry Toff has sound claims in the Hamlet Handicap Hurdle. Much improved this season, the Malcolm Jefferson trained gelding has won six of his last eight races including a game one and three quarter length success over Yahmi in the Tote Bookmakers Sandown Hurdle in February.
Last time out, in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, Tullymurry Toff put up anther decent effort to finish around a length fourth behind Big Strand after losing his place down the far side and keeping on well in the closing stages. Tullymurry Toff, who is open to further improvement, can regain the winning thread at the Scottish track.
Revoque, Europe's highest rated two year old, puts his Classic pretensions on the line in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
Peter Chapple Hyam's colt showed his best form in France, notching a Group One double in the Prix de la Salamandre and Grand Criterium, being particularly impressive when beating, Majorien by two lengths in the latter event.
A top class individual, Revoque can underline his 2000 Guineas claims by keeping his unbeaten record intact at the Berkshire course.
Hawksley Hill was a very game short head runner up to Kuala Lipis despite drifting to his right in the Lincoln Handicap and can go one place better in the Ladbroke Spring Cup.
Successful six times last term, Lynda Rainsden's consistent gelding has obviously gone the right way between three and four judged by the way he battled on at Doncaster. Raised 5lb for that effort, Hawksley Hill can show himself still on the upgrade and land the day's nap.