The first flat fixture of the new summer season takes place at Ayr Racecourse today, Monday April 29, with a competitive seven-race card.

Racing gets underway at 2.15pm with a five furlong maiden stakes before rounding off with a 1m6f handicap in class six to bring the card to a close. 

The opener sees six runners head to post for the dash over the furlong distance at Ayr, where a chance can be taken on newcomer Zabeel Road for trainer Charlie Johnston.

Recent Pontefract second Harswell Dandy can provide the chief challenge having shown plenty of promise as a 40/1 shot on debut there. 

Race two (2.45pm) is an eight-runner apprentice handicap in class six and the selection is for Catherine Choi, a winner over the six furlong distance at Southwell and Newcastle in March and is back on the turf here.

Newcastle runner-up Doon The Glen looked a promising type when second when last seen five days ago and providing he can handle the quick turnaround, can make his presence felt at Ayr. 

The third race on the card (3.15pm) could go the way of three-time Ayr winner Gainsbourg, who struggled at Pontefract last time out but back on better ground and conditions, can bounce back to winning ways north of the border.

The main challenge could come from Irish raider Fiver Friday, who is back up in trip after a disappointing seventh over a shorter distance at the Curragh last time out. 

The midway point of the card arrives with the nine-runner handicap over five furlongs at 3.50pm which sees Cue’s Beau dropping back down in distance after an unsatisfactory effort on the all-weather over a mile at Chelmsford on his last run and is very much of interest here.

Al Muqdad is one to consider if discounting his struggles at Catterick last time, while course and distance Kalganov is another to consider. 

Yiengaa is the selection in race five (4.25pm) who was a good second in a Nottingham handicap nine days ago and is around much weaker company at Ayr, while race six (5.00pm) can go the way of Old Cock, who shaped well when fourth on debut at Newcastle 21 days ago. 

Finally, the card comes to a close with the 1m5f handicap in class six (5.35pm) and recent Newcastle runner-up Philos is of interest in the finale, looking much better for having the visor back on when runner up two weeks ago and back up in trip, holds major claims at Ayr. 

Ayr selections - Monday (via Punchestown odds):

  • 2.15pm - Zabeel Road
  • 2.45pm - Catherine Choi
  • 3.15pm - Gainsbourg
  • 3.50pm - Cue’s Beau
  • 4.25pm - Yiengaa
  • 5.00pm - Old Cock
  • 5.35pm - Philos