Ayr Tips: Marie’s Jewel to sparkle in Scotland

Monday's programme across Britain and Ireland sees five meetings scheduled, including an afternoon card from Ayr, where they begin their new season on the Flat.

The Scottish venue gets underway at 14:15 on Monday afternoon, with seven races in all, concluding at 17:35, and we've picked out a trio to follow as they start out on their Flat season.

14:45 - Marie's Jewel @ 9/2

An apprentice handicap contest over 6f in which it might be a good time to put some faith in MARIE'S JEWEL to sparkle.

He runs for joint-trainers Roger Fell and Sean Murray and has been showing some encouraging recent signs on the all-weather.

The Kodiac gelding didn't offer a lot in four previous turf starts, three coming in the summer of 2022 and another at Doncaster in April last year, which was the only time he graced the racecourse in 2023.

He's been back racing since January and now has five runs at Newcastle behind him. They include a pair of runner-up finishes over 6f/7f in February and March, while he was beaten less than two lengths this month on his most recent start in a contest from which the winner has obliged again since.

Now eased to a mark of 52 for this return to the grass, Marie's Jewel is in form and looks capable of shedding the maiden tag sooner rather than later.

16:25 – Yiengaa @ 13/8

Another maiden with hopes of a breakthrough will be YIENGAA for Nigel Tinkler in the 'Confined' Handicap over five furlongs.

The Land Force filly has made just seven starts. All four outings in 2023 saw her sent off at SPs of 33/1 or bigger and, while not coming close to a win, there were some hints of ability.

She ran as her price suggested on her comeback at Newcastle in early March over 6f on the Tapeta but improved on that when effort making some late headway at Catterick (5f, heavy) at the start of this month.

She arrives for this race following her best showing to date, finishing second in a 5f Nottingham handicap (soft) nine days ago. She once more attempted to make the best of her way home from the rear there and came clear of everything bar the prominently-ridden winner Cypriot Diaspora.

Claimer Alex Jary is replaced now by Rowan Scott and, in a weak race, Yiengaa can open her account with a repeat of that Nottingham showing.

17:35 – Philos @ 9/4

The final race on the card is the longest of the day and recent Southwell runner-up Billy Bathgate will be on plenty of shortlists as a former C&D winner. That success came on firm ground, however, and the New Approach gelding has a question against him on the forecast slower surface after some solid if not spectacular all-weather outings this spring.

Preference is for PHILOS. Ed Dunlop's lightly-raced son of Teofilo arrives after chasing home a well-handicapped winner in Gastronomy at Newcastle over 1m4½f recently on his second start back from a break.

He took his form figures in the visor to 132 in that contest and the headgear is retained here. The ex-Noel Meade inmate was placed in both previous turf runs for this trainer and remains unexposed on the grass.

Nudged up 1lb for that recent run, he's got in-form Oisin Orr taking over in the saddle now and they have plenty going for them.

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights