Ayr best bet: Recent course-distance winner Monhammer can land another blow

16:45 Ayr:  Every Race Live on Racing TV Handicap  (7¼ furlongs)

Helter Skelter heads the betting after being pulled from his Sunday appointment at Nottingham, and he could be ready to take his chance in this smaller field after being stymied by traffic when coming eighth of 18 at York nine days ago.

The favourite remains a maiden after eight attempts, however, and looks likely to be challenged by Danny Brooke’s top-weighted Bowman, who followed up April’s tidy win at Catterick with a good second of eight over this course and distance three weeks ago, and he should go well again if the ground stays on the fast side of good.

Those two look likely to be there or thereabouts, but seemingly lurking under the bookies radar is Monhammer, who defied his 25/1 price tag when winning over this course and distance at that same meeting last month.

Suggested best bet: Monhammer in the 16:45 at Ayr

Linda Perratt’s likeable six-year-old first caught the eye in the summer of 2022 when he strung together a couple of wins and five frame finishes in the space of an eight-race purple patch, with the latter of those successes also over this course and distance.

He enjoyed one more success at Musselburgh in a less inspired 2023 campaign, but hit the ground running on season debut three weeks ago, emerging from an eight-month break to keep his nose in front of a dozen rivals.

His subsequent two-pound hike should not hamper his chances of a similar performance here under Callum Shepherd, who is well into a successful campaign, having won on his last ride at Nottingham on Sunday, and also placed on his only previous appearance at Ayr.

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