SUNDAY WEEKENDER

14:00 Ayr

Dan Skelton had a quieter than expected Christmas period in terms of winners but has put this right in recent weeks, sending out seven winners from his last twenty runners (taken from before racing on Saturday), and looks to have an excellent chance of another winner here with Destrier. The six-year-old made his chase debut at Southwell in early December and put in an eye-catching performance, setting off in front and putting in an impressive round of jumping, making all the running and staying on well to hold off a late challenge from Another Crick. This race has produced four next time out winners so the form looks solid and with conditions again in his favour this looks a good opportunity to make it two from two over larger obstacles.

Sams Gunner was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles and makes his chase debut on return from a nine-month absence, although may find this trip on the sharp side having posted all career wins over further, so the bigger danger looks to be Reivers Lad who won over todays’ trip at the first time of asking over fences and arrives here for a stable in excellent form.

DESTRIER (WIN) – NAP