Horse Racing tips: 8 we rate at Ayr today including a 12/1 punt

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

13:20 – King Of York

Judged on his purchase price and useful pedigree there should be more to come from KING OF YORK, who is first choice ahead of fellow nursery debutant Heights Of Aran. Closely matched rivals Makalu and Grifter are also on the shortlist.

NEW TO PADDY POWER?

Click here for our £/€20 sign up offer

13:55 – Juan Elcano

Nowhere near as strong a Listed race as the numbers might imply and it essentially looks a decent opportunity for JUAN ELCANO to return to winning ways. The International at York was all too much for him last time but he’ll be tough to beat if back to the level he showed when winning at Royal Ascot and second in a York Group 2 prior to that. Maydanny is a lot better than he showed last time and gets the nod for the forecast spot ahead of Euchen Glen.

14:30 – Bickerstaffe

Trying to assess the impact of the draw in the big-field sprints here in recent seasons has been a head-scratcher and the field shunned the stands’ rail in both the Gold and Silver Cups 12 months ago. The best pace looks low to middle but in the hope they come down the centre of the track there shouldn’t be much in it. Blackrod is the obvious starting point, with his trainer a dab hand with this type, and he escapes a penalty for his York win last month which was a cracking effort given that the drop to 5f looked against him. He’s high on the shortlist but he’s not the only unexposed 3yo his owner runs here and BICKERSTAFFE (nap) may be the answer. Things didn’t go his way at Goodwood last time but his previous Ascot win was impressive and there should be more improvement to come. Blinkers could benefit Royal Scimitar for whom it will all click one day, while at bigger odds don’t be surprised to see either Music Society or Soldier’s Minute make an impact.

15:05 – Head Mistress

Irish filly HEAD MISTRESS already has leading claims on her 5f form and promises to be well suited by this new trip. She’s taken to maintain her unbeaten record. Very interesting prospects Hala Hala Athmani (second choice) and Scot’s Grace are feared most. Hellomydarlin is more exposed but she has a fighting chance on the figures.

15:40 – Ostilio

Great Ambassador had the dice against him when third to Commanche Falls in the Stewards’ Cup given his draw and the soft ground but he is 10lb higher here after two subsequent wins. Commanche Falls is also improving and he may well confirm those placings but the handicapper has opened the door for OSTILIO who has been creeping late into the action over inadequate trips in recent starts and is primed for a big run now back up to 6f. Fivethousandtoone is another to make some appeal, representing a yard going from strength to strength and that has a good record in this race. Gulliver, Summerghand and Mr Lupton have a multitude of good runs between them at this level and the last-named, who ran so well here in 2020, is another good outsider with cheekpieces fitted.

16:15 – Hong Kong Harry

The candidate with the most potential is probably HONG KONG HARRY, and Richard Fahey’s 4yo is taken to maintain his unbeaten record at Ayr. In a competitive handicap, solid claims are also held by Shelir and Cruyff Turn, but perhaps the biggest threat will come from southern raider Dance Fever.

16:50 – Summa Peto

This looks tricky to say the least. SUMMA PETO ran as if he may benefit from this drop back to 7f when third to reopposing course specialist Redarna over 1m here in July and he gets a tentative vote as a lightly raced profile provides hope for better still. Fellow 3yos Bowman (second choice), who is thriving, and Titan Rock, who can probably be forgiven his latest Epsom run, head the many possible dangers.

17:20 – Annandale

The only 3yo in the line-up, ANNANDALE should find this opposition less demanding than in the Melrose on his most recent outing and looks the one to be on at the foot of the weights. Most of the others carry significant risks but Dark Jedi has claims on his third at York two runs ago. Greengage was disappointing last time but has had a productive season and completes the shortlist.