Ayr afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Wednesday, May 22

Scott Allen
21 May 2024

Wednesday afternoon's meeting at Ayr includes the track's first Listed race of the Flat season. Can the Planet Sport tipsters find you some winners on May 22?

We begin with some details on our four selected horses at Ayr, with a full set of tips from the seven-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) Shy Hi Bye

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.

15:20 (Ayr) Madame Ambassador

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.

15:50 (Ayr) Garden Oasis

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.

16:55 (Ayr) Born Ruler

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.