Horse Racing

Big price tips for Ayr on Friday: Presentandcounting a gift for Donald McCain

Tom ReedTom Reed1 April 2022
Ayr Racecourse

Ayr Racecourse

It’s April Fool’s Day and Planet Sport are aiming to make mugs out of the bookies on Friday, April 1 at Ayr for the start of the Scottish Grand National meeting.

For all your racing info needs click on Planet Sport's Live Race Centre.

Here's a quick reference list for our big-priced picks on Friday, April 1.
Shearer (13.45 Ayr)
Presentandcounting (15.30 Ayr)
Flower Of Scotland (16.05 Ayr)
Colonel Manderson (17.15 Ayr)

3.30 Ayr - Presentandcounting

Donald McCain and Brian Hughes are the Northern trainer/jockey dream team and there is value in them teaming up with Presentandcounting in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old was on a five race winning streak till coming a not disgraced third in a listed race at Chepstow last time out.
With Champion Jockey-elect Hughes on board and boasting solid time figures, Presentandcounting and can outrun his odds. Anything around 7/1 on the nose is juicy.

17.15 Ayr - Colonel Manderson

The Skeltons had a reasonable Cheltenham, with Protektorat their star but the Warwickshire brothers drew a blank and will be itching to pick up a winner in the Thistle Cabs Group Handicap Hurdle.

The consistent Colonel Manderson may be underestimated by the bookies, with a three mile Southwell win in January showing the six-year-old has plenty of stamina.
A second at local track Warwick in February was a decent warm-up for this trip over the Scottish Border and it could be the Colonel barking out the orders. Any win bets over 6/1 are value.

Other big priced pick at Ayr on Friday, March 1

Shearer can score for Paul Nicholls in the 13.45. The six-year-old is in good form for the McNeill family. The horse is named after the famous Newcastle and England striker and don't forget to read Planet Sport's article on horses named after legendary footy players.

In the 16.05, Sandy Thomson is at home at Ayr and his Flower Of Scotland would be a fitting winner with jumps racing's eyes cast North of the border. A general 12/1 looks a tasty price.

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