Horse Racing Tips: King may have the Answers at Ayr

Jumps racing holds sway across Britain and Ireland on Saturday, with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening. 

Among my horse racing tips for Saturday is a Lucinda Russel-trained runner who forged clear to win at Newcastle in style when last seen and can back that victory up at Ayr.

14:50 Ayr - Ruby Island @ 9/2

Stepping up to the extended 2m5f for the first time is exactly what the doctor ordered for RUBY ISLAND and Nicky Richards' runner should take all the beating in the mares' handicap hurdle.

She has been a model of consistency without winning in her three starts for this yard, finding only a well handicapped Irish raider in Portnacoo too strong in the finish off a mark of 120 at Carlisle last month.

She found another Irish raider too strong on her penultimate start here over the extended 2m4f on her penultimate start but thankfully won't have to worry about a raider from those shores on this occasion. She should go very close.

16:35 Ayr - Rob Roy Macgregor @ 40/1

The final selection of the afternoon comes with risks attached but ROB ROY MACGREGOR might be worth a small each-way investment in the 3m novices' handicap hurdle.

Sandy Thomson's son of Walk In The Park beat two good types in Cannock Park and President Scottie when landing a Carlisle bumper on his debut in March 2023, but he has admittedly regressed since then.

He had his first handicap start over course and distance off 104 in February 2024 and a combination of non-completions and poor runs has seen him drop down to his current rating of 86.

What is interesting is he has been fairly strong in the market for the majority of those efforts, sent off at odds of 11/2 (twice), 7/1 and 15/2 in four of those five outings. He could run a stinker again but there's definitely ability there if he can put it together.

This is an Extra Place race meaning that Betfred will pay 5 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 4.

The Cheltenham Festival is just days away - check out the latest Cheltenham Betting Odds, including the Gold Cup Betting Odds, over at betfred.com

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights