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Big Fields For Ayr’s Second February Meeting 27/02/06

AYR’S second February meeting has attracted more than 90 runners over the seven races with some interesting contests to be fought out at the seaside track today.

The most competitive event on the card is the Rectangle Group Handicap Chase over 3 miles 1 furlong at 3.40 pm with Chris Grant’s course winner Briar’s Mist ridden by Richie McGrath, Micky Hammond’s Heidi 111 (Graham Lee) and Glenfarclas Boy from Lucinda Russell’s yard with Peter Buchanan in the plate looking to be the main players here.

The Central Heating Advisory Service UK sponsor a race at Ayr for the first time after paying £1500 at a charity auction for the privilege and that race is the two mile handicap chase at 2.35 pm where recent course third Jexel, trained by Brian Storey and ridden by Richie McGrath, aims to hit winning ways. Main dangers are Mick Easterby’s Dance Party (Tom Greenall) and Malcolm Jefferson’s The Frosty Ferrett (Graham Lee).

The Weatherbys Bank Novice Hurdle over two miles at 3.05 pm is another competitive affair although the booking of Tony Dobbin on Jim Barclay’s Endless Power – a bumper winner here – is interesting.

Ayr Clerk of the Course Anthea Morshead said : “The course is drying out all the time and the going is soft in the back straight, good to soft in the home straight. The Met Office is forecasting we will miss any frost so there are no worries.”

First race is at 2.00pm and bars and restaurants open at 12 noon.

Meanwhile advance tickets are on sale for the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National meeting on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22.

This is Scotland’s top jumps meeting of the season and tickets are sure to be in great demand – so the message is book early by calling 0870-8505666 or on line at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk and remember there is 10% off tickets booked seven or more days in advance or 20% discount for parties of 20 or more.

Second February Meeting at Ayr
23/02/06

A mixed bag of races comprising three over hurdles, two chases, a hunters chase and a National Hunt Flat race make for a very interesting card at Ayr’s second February meeting on Monday.

And trainers have responded with 196 horses entered over the seven races at the five day declaration stage.

All the top northern jockeys will be in action including Graham Lee, Tony Dobbin, Russ Garrity, Brian Harding and Richie McGrath and Dobbin, in treble winning form at Ayr earlier this month, could be the man to follow again.

Featured race on the card is the Weatherbys Bank Novice Hurdle over two miles and fancied runners in this include Chris Grant’s Double Vodka, Lenny Lungo’s pair Troll and Flame of Zara and Peter Monteith’s useful First Look.

Ayr have new sponsors in the shape of the Central Heating Advisory Service who sponsor the novice chase at 2.35 pm after bidding £1500 at a charity auction for the race. They could be rewarded with a hot contest in which Brian Storey’s Jexel and Mick Easterby’s Dance Party could be involved.

Frost is forecast over the weekend but Ayr Clerk of the Course Anthea Morshead said : “Temperatures will rise during the day and with the first race not until 2o’clock we should be okay. The going at the moment is soft.”

First race is at 2.00pm and bars and restaurants open at 12 noon.

Meanwhile advance tickets are on sale for the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National meeting on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22.

This is Scotland’s top jumps meeting of the season and tickets are sure to be in great demand – so the message is book early by calling 0870-8505666 or on line at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk and remember there is 10% off tickets booked seven or more days in advance or 20% discount for parties of 20 or more.