By Iain Ferguson
AYR Racecourse’s two day totepool March meeting turned into a benefit for the Irish raiding party, with no fewer than six of the 14 races going to the Emerald Isle.
[Pictured: Forward Flight winning at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday.]
The ball started rolling with the last two races on Friday – the Gordon Elliot trained, Davy Condon ridden Jimmy The Hat (9/1) landed the feature race, the Download the totepool Live Info App Handicap Chase followed by Gibbstown (7/2) with Derek Fox riding for Paul Stafford clinching the conditional jockeys’ handicap chase.
Trainer-jockey Ronan McNally rode his first ever British winner with See Double You (11/8 fav) in Saturday's totescoop6 Saturday's Big TV Bet Handicap Chase and the other Irish winners were Mrs Prunella Dobbs's Romantic Fashion (11/4 jt fav) in the mares' handicap hurdle, Mister Philson (7/2) for Stuart Crawford in the Hugh Barclay Challenge Trophy and The Unsub for Gordon Elliott in the bumper.
Coylton handler Ian Duncan saddled Finaghy Ayr to land Friday's Play Blackjack And Roulette At totepool.com handicap hurdle at odds of 13/2.
And there was an opening day double for Lucinda Russell with Island Heights (11/8) in the James Barclay Challenge Trophy and Mysteree (13/8 fav) in the 20 New Casino Games At totepool.com Handicap Hurdle.
Dumfries trainer James Ewart’s Avidity (7/2) won the two mile novice hurdle on Friday for Brian Hughes who also rode Plus Jamais (evens fav) to victory for Jim Goldie in the two mile handicap hurdle on Saturday.
Ayr’s next meeting is the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival on Friday 11 April and Saturday 12 April. For more information or to book tickets call 01292 264179 or go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk
For further information please contact Iain Ferguson on 01292 294972 or 07795 565691.
Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are Founder Members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.
