PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

13:30 Ayr Double Touch carries top weight following a scintillating performance when last seen out at Chester last month. The step up to seven furlongs saw him charge home with a thrusting late burst and another step up here should allow him to progress again. David Nolan keeps the ride on the son of Dutch Art and the pair look the ones to beat in this opening contest. Hushood won over this trip at Chepstow last time on what was his second start for Richard Hannon. He clearly learned a lot between his first and second runs and with him proven on the ground, he is likely to pose the biggest threat to the selection.  Sean Levey replaces Dane O’Neill in the plate and the combination look likely to go well. Mister Belvedere was dropped to six furlongs in order to grab  first career win at Carlisle last time. He is likely to be given a patient ride in order to last out the trip. Arc Royal has already come out to win and has boosted the form of Double Touch subsequently and it’s worth remembering that Richard Fahey had a red letter day with his runners at this meeting last season. With further improvement likely he can go in yet again. Double Touch (WIN)

16:15 Ayr Apres Midi has taken the recent step up in trip in her stride and recorded a first ever career success at Hamilton Park last time. Being by Galileo this extra furlong ought to suit Karl Burke’s improving youngster and having made the frame in all four career starts so far she looks likely to do so yet again. Doug Costello has partnered her on her two most recent starts so he knows plenty about her and with the yard in such excellent form, she looks likely to play a leading role in the finish here. Richard Fahey’s stable is in good form and he is strongly represented by both Sirius Cove and Luna Mare. The former would be of more interstitial if this was on new artificial surface as both her wins have come at Lingfield and Chelmsford. Lunar Mare is extremely lightly raced and won on similar ground at Carlisle last time and she looks the biggest danger of the pair. Sattleac is two from two over this course and distance. She sneaks in at the foot of the handicap here and represents last year’s winning yard. Off her light weight she is worthy of a second look.  Apres Midi will not mind any further softening of the ground and with her being the highest rated runner in the line up , she commands utmost respect. Apres Midi (E/W if 9/2+)

17:20 Ayr Addicted To Luck may well prove too smart for her far more experienced rivals today. Having only had a handful of runs, there may well be more to come from this Jo Hughes trained filly. The good ground at Ffos Las last time hampered her chances somewhat but she still ran with a fair amount of credit to only be beaten a little over a length. The rain that has fallen on the west coast ought to add to her chances this afternoon and she can go well at predicted double figure odds. Garvan Donnelly sends his sprinting star Catwildo into battle here this afternoon. Wins at Bellewstown and Down Royal have boosted the confidence of the six year old and having just been denied by Bunce here a couple of runs ago, she has to rate as an obvious danger. Adam McNamara takes off a useful three pounds and the duo look likely to go extremely close. Lotara made significant improvement to win at Newcastle on the new artificial surface last time. This will take another step forward, but the four year old has plenty of scope for improvement and Jim Goldie loves nothing more than to get a winner at his local track. The booking of Rab Havlin for Addicted To Luck takes the eye and with a draw in the middle of the track, he can choose which side of the track is best to opt for. This minimum trip of five furlongs is exactly what she wants and it wouldn’t be the biggest of shocks to see her go well today. Addicted To Luck (E/W if 9/2+)

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