Ayr opener

The three day Ayr Western meeting gets underway with a seven furlongs novice stakes at 1.20 on Thursday. Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan won the event twelve months ago with Green Team and the same yard are doubly represented this time around. I suggest readers strongly consider the twice raced Chuzzlewhit. Those who attended the York Ebor preview night on the Knavesmire will recall Kevin describing the Showcasing colt as one of the best horses he has trained. Fifth on his debut at Redcar having missed the break, it spoke volumes that he lined up in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes next time. Despite only finishing seventh, he didn't disgrace himself and his trainer was pleased with the run when I spoke to him afterwards. Time is likely to show it was one of the hottest renewals of the six furlongs event for some time - the third Cold Case won the valuable sales race at Doncaster's St Leger meeting last week off a mark of 103. It will therefore be disappointing if Chuzzlewhit can't make it third time lucky on Thursday. The step up in trip will be an advantage.

The lighly raced Tarhib was well supported prior to the fillies' handicap over six furlongs at Yarmouth on Tuesday and her supporters didn't have too many anxious moments. The daughter of Dark Angel underwent wind surgery before finishing runner-up at Chelmsford last time. William Haggas' filly took a step forward here as she stayed on strongly to beat the three year old Makarova by three parts of a length. Scoring off a mark of 83, she enjoys some ease in the ground and it will be a surprise if she doesn't add to this success in the closing weeks of the season. This was only the seventh race of her short career.

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