Ayr afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Friday, April 19

We kick off with some details on our four selected horses at Ayr, with a full set of tips from the eight-race card at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

14:20 (Ayr) Whistle Stop Tour

Whistle Stop Tour impressed landing a novice here in latest outing. Returns to handicap company and this relation of Gold Cup winner Kicking King can improve going up in trip in the Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle.

Mt Fugi Park looked promising winning two novice hurdles earlier in the campaign. Struggled up to G2 company at Haydock during February. Better effort since and rates a player in this grade.

Ten Lengths Tom opened his account hurdling at Uttoxeter in November. Did well under a penalty at Exeter and likely has more to give.

 

14:50 (Ayr) Outlaw Peter

Outlaw Peter can defy a 5lb rise up the ratings to take the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr for Paul Nicholls.

The eight-year-old gelding won on his chasing debut by beating Walk In Clover in a match race at Newton Abbott in September, when sent off a short-priced favourite.

He was stepped up in trip to three miles on his next outing but disappointed and was pulled up by Harry Cobden, but gave a far better account of himself when dropped back to a more favourable two and a half miles.

Following a 61-day break, he was narrowly beaten into second at Kempton on Boxing Day and then was placed again at Musselburgh in February before returning to the winner’s enclosure at Kempton last month.

He can follow up on that victory and has shown he is versatile in terms of ground conditions.

 

15:20 (Ayr) Doddiethegreat

Doddiethegreat is favoured to put a disappointing run at the Cheltenham Festival behind him in the Coral “We’re Here For It” Handicap Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s runners endured a poor Festival and Doddiethegreat finished nearly 20 lengths behind Langer Dan in the Coral Cup.

However, the Seven Barrows string have enjoyed a return to form in recent times and Doddiethegreat can maintain that at Ayr and get back to the sort of level that saw him win his first four races.

 

15:55 (Ayr) Salamanca Bay

Salamanca Bay was an easy 14 length winner tackling track and trip. Continues to improve and might still be ahead of his mark in the Seko Logistics Scotland Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Royal Mer continues to defy the handicapper. Completed a hat-trick at Wincanton and though penalised for that victory cannot be ruled out.

Rath Gaul Hill won more easily than the margin suggests at Newbury last time out. Remains fairly rated and should be respected.

The consistent Beau Balko is also worthy of consideration.

 

Ayr tips in full

AYR: 1.20 Jackpot D’Athou, 1.50 Shakeyatailfeather, 2.20 Whistle Stop Tour, 2.50 Outlaw Peter, 3.20 Doddiethegreat, 3.55 Salamanca Bay, 4.30 Billytherealbigred, 5.00 Castletown.