THE annual New Year’s Raceday takes place at Ayr Racecourse on Thursdau and promises to be an exciting afternoon’s racing with seven races scheduled.

The feature race is  the Book Direct At Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle over 2m 5f and Keith Dalgliesh has a couple of interesting entries in this with top weight One Night In Milan, second recently in a Class 2 contest at Aintree, and Taxmeifyoucan who won last time out at Carlisle.

Another horse to catch the eye in this is the Warren Greatrex trained  Portrush Ted, winner of a Class 1 bumper at Aintree in April while Nicky Richards is set to run the veteran One For Harry.

The Winter Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap Chase is also a tight affair with Martin Todhunter running the lightly raced Asking For Answers with Sean Quinlan in the plate while Nick Alexander’s McGinty’s Dream, who won at the track in February is also to be respected with Grant Cockburn taking the ride.

The afternoon’s action ends at 3.45pm with the Happy New Year From Ayr Racecourse Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race and the unraced Champagnesuperover co-owned by brothers Patrick and Scott Bryceland and trained by Olly Murphy in Warwickshire will be worth a check in the betting as the word is this is a very promising young horse.

The opening race is at 12.30pm and gates open at 11.00am.