Hurdler appears an Ayr obvious – Jason Heavey’s Thursday horse racing ideas

The Daily Star’s Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons a hurdler trained by Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore will triumph at Ayr on Thursday

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CHANCE your arm with ROCHEVAL (3.13, nap) in the Coral Racing Club ‘Watch For Free’ Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on Thursday.

The son of Kapgarde has two wins from nine in a mixed career over hurdles.

But the six-year-old trained in tandem by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore was unlucky only to finish fourth on his last outing at Carlisle six weeks ago.

And now eased 1lb in the weights and with his favoured soft ground underfoot, this looks like a good opportunity to win at a decent price.

WENDIGO (2.13, trb) is the undoubted class act on the card in Scotland as he drops in class for the Join Coral “Bet £10 Get £50” “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase.

A quality novice hurdler last season for Jamie Snowden, the seven-year-old has made a fine start to his career over fences, with a Grade Two success at Newbury sandwiched by a couple of perfectly respectable placed efforts.

The Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day may have been an assignment too far, but he kept plugging away to finish a close third behind the impressive Willie Mullins-trained winner Kitzbuhel.

Now returning to easier ground and a left-handed track, it would be a huge surprise if he does not get back on the winning trail.

Gordon Elliott has brought S T EDE BONNET (2.43) over from Ireland for the Coral Novices’ Hurdle and with champion jockey Sean Bowen on board, he is hard to oppose.

The dual bumper winner made it third time lucky over hurdles with a clear-cut victory at Tramore on New Year’s Day and he should be well capable of defying the penalty in this company.

At Lingfield, the best bet on the card could be ALL TOO BEAUTIFUL (4.20) in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap.

The Roger Teal-trained four-year-old completed a hat-trick of all-weather handicap wins when winning over this this C&D 26 days ago.

She is up 5lbs in a bid for a four-timer and doesn’t look to have reached her limit yet.

Thursday tips

WINCANTON

1.33 Coolanna

2.03 Mutley Crew

2.33 Mossy Fen Coolio

3.03 Bradman

3.33 Jupiter Allen

4.03 Thunder Rock

4.33 Midnight Doyen

AYR

1.13 Coolkatie

1.43 Follow Charlie

2.13 Wendigo (trb)

2.43 Stede Bonnet

3.13 Rocheval (nap)

3.43 President Scottie

4.13 Finisk Pride

LINGFIELD

1.20 Coolagh Magic

1.50 Space Invasion

2.20 Poke The Bear

2.50 Tilsworth Max

3.20 Tommy’s Promise

3.50 Silent Strike

4.20 All Too Beautiful (nb)

CHELMSFORD

5.00 The Defiant

5.30 Secret History

6.00 Dubai Magic

6.30 Intervention

7.00 Justcallmepete

7.30 Taranjerine

8.00 Lexington Jet

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