UK racing tips – Wednesday 22 May 2024

AYR

Race 1 – SHY HI BYE 1/4

The William Haggas-trained SHY HI BYE showed plenty of promise and progress second up last November when a close second in a six furlong novice event at Newcastle, so will be a leading chance on return.

Mutamanni posted a fair debut fourth attempting a 6f maiden at Yarmouth earlier this month. Improvement expected delivering second run and could go close for notable connections.

Strike Rate did well here last month finishing a creditable third contesting a 1m maiden. Back down in trip and holds claims.

Race 3 – MADAME AMBASSADOR 4/1

MADAME AMBASSADOR could prove to be the value call in the Fitzdares EBF Rothesay Stakes.

Charlie Johnston’s mare won a couple of decent handicaps on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile last season, bolting up off a mark of 85 in September and readily defying a 7lb hike the following month.

Crucially, both of those victories were achieved over a mile and a quarter on a sound surface, a combination she has not faced since but will in this Listed event.

Since her last victory Madame Ambassador has finished a creditable fourth in a heavy ground James Seymour Stakes against the boys in the autumn and faltered over a mile and a half in testing conditions on her reappearance at Goodwood in early May.

The five-year-old has a bit to find on ratings with one or two of her rivals in Scotland, but with a run under her belt and conditions to suit, she may be in a position to post a career best.

Race 4 – GARDEN OASIS 15/2

GARDEN OASIS has to be of interest in the Follow Fitzdares On Instagram & Twitter Handicap.

Tim Easterby’s veteran is a dual winner from three previous visits to the track and has dropped 6lb in the weights since his last victory 11 months ago.

He is in the twilight of his career at the age of nine, but there was definite promise in his comeback run on soft ground at Pontefract three weeks ago when weakening late on into fourth place after attempting to make every yard of the running.

Those positive tactics have paid off on a quick surface at Ayr before and may do so again.

Race 6 – BORN RULER 15/10

BORN RULER must be respected in the Download The Fitzdares App Now Handicap as the sole runner on the card for Sir Mark Prescott.

The four-year-old won as he liked on his only previous outing on turf at Sandown in September and can be forgiven a disappointing run at Southwell on his final outing of 2023.

He did well to finish second on his Lingfield return earlier in the month and with a drop in trip viewed a positive, Born Ruler should go close despite the burden of top-weight.

YARMOUTH

Race 1 – SMART CHARGER 5/2

SMART CHARGER is rated the best bet at Yarmouth in the opening Quinnbet Daily Free Bet Handicap.

Having only hinted at ability for Tony Carroll, the Saxon Warrior gelding was well backed on his stable debut for Alan King at Southwell last month, going off a short-priced favourite.

He ultimately came up slightly short in second, but should strip fitter for the run given he had been off the track since September and the booking of William Buick suggests connections mean business as he looks to open his account on his first start over a mile and three-quarters.

Race 2 – AIM FOR THE MOON 5/1

The patiently-ridden AIM FOR THE MOON appeared to appreciate stepping up to 1m2f when scoring in commanding fashion over course and distance.

This lightly-raced seven-year-old could easily have more to give at the level and a 7lb rise in weights might not be enough to prevent a repeat success.

Market support behind Twilight Guest would be interesting given his stable does well at this venue.

A stronger alternative is possibly Expert Witness who has been raised 2lb for finishing second behind a progressive horse at Bath last time.

Race 4 – AGE OF GOLD 15/10

Buick might also find the target aboard Charlie Appleby’s newcomer AGE OF GOLD in the British EBF Novice Stakes.

The Moulton Paddocks handler has saddled a few juvenile winners over the past week or so and this €625,000 yearling purchase is bred to be pretty smart, being a son of Frankel and a full-brother to talented sprinter Fivethousandtoone.

Race 6 – OH SO AUDACIOUS 13/2

Plenty of Harry Eustace-trained horses have been needing their first run this season. With that in mind, OH SO AUDACIOUS is considered having shaped encouragingly when third at Brighton on her return recently and can strip fitter for that.

Ivasecret went well finishing fifth over 1m at Kempton in April and must be respected with Buick on board.

Stepping back up to 1m could suit No News who went down by a nose at Kempton, while Pearly Star might feature from an each-way perspective.