Ayr best bet (1630): Cowboy Cooper bidding to build on promising chase debut
Ayr Racecourse
There’s plenty in with a chance of landing this three-mile chase, with five of the nine starters looking to add to their previous successes so far this season.
16:30 Ayr: Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase (3 miles)
Ironically, that group does not include the early market leader, Baron Briggs, but the feeling is that he is on an upward trend after undergoing wind surgery in the summer, and his close-up third-placed finishes at Kelso in October and at Musselburgh last month suggest that his maiden win is just around the corner.
Whether that is here could depend on the performance of his fellow market leaders, with the likes of Deep Charm (two wins and a near-miss second in his last three runs) and Artic Breeze (promising runner-up on chase debut on Boxing Day) sure to have a say in proceedings.
Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Goodoldbill finishes in the first 3 places, get a £5 Free Bet
Of the outsiders, 11-year-old Skyhill might get himself involved if in the same mood that saw him win four of his last eight outings, while Goodoldbill was a winner at Newcastle two runs ago and carries less than 10 stone here under the three-pound claim of Peter Kavanagh.
Outsider punt: Skyhill each-way in the 16:30 at Ayr
The mid-morning withdrawal of the fancied Post Chaise has tightened up the betting but has also boosted the winning chances of Cowboy Cooper, who had already attracted plenty of support within the Tipstrr camp.
Although still a maiden after 10 attempts, he returned from his summer break in much better shape, finishing third in each of his hurdling efforts at Hexham in November and December.
Of even greater interest, however, is his promising chase debut at Catterick 33 days ago, when he took readily to the challenge of larger obstacles to come third of 11, less than four lengths behind the two well-fancied market leaders.
Craig Nichol is rebooked to take Donald Whillans’ eight-year-old to the next level, and carrying a low weight off an unchanged mark, Cowboy Cooper could give another good account in these challenging conditions.
Suggested best bet: Cowboy Cooper each-way in the 16:30 at Ayr
READ MORE: Ayr racing tips: Best bets for Tuesday February 13
