More frustrating jockeyship at Ayr yesterday, they hadn’t seem to have caught on that you just can not drop your horse right out and expect to reel the leaders in under these conditions. Raptor travelled well throughout the 4.40 race but was never close enough to the action and couldn’t get involved at the end. Magic Echo also got behind early on and was running on strongly, but was given too much to do. Thankfully the same mistake was not made with John Forbes (advised at 4/1), who won his race comfortably. No Wonga was also placed in the same race (advised at 16/1), which meant the day ended in a decent profit.

Today’s bets:

4.45 -Thirsk:
Blazing Heights - 1 pt win. Available at 17/2 (Victor Chandler and Skybet)
Toy Top - 1 pt win. Available at 12/1 (Skybet)
Ryedane is tempting here from a decent draw but he can sometimes fluff his lines at the start and, if he does, he could find the drop in trip on a fast track against him. Blazing Heights has been in the doldrums this season but he has perked up a bit in the visor on his last two races. He is still well handicapped on last season's form despite being put up five pounds for running well in a four runner Seller last time out. He handles faster ground but any rain that falls is in his favour and he has run well on both previous visits to this track. Toy Top put in a rare bad performance last time out but had been in good form prior to that, including under today's jockey. She hasn't the best of draws here but she likes this track and, with a good partner on board, that counts for a lot in a race of this nature. Unlike Blazing heights she would prefer the rain to stay away.

5.10 - Newmarket:
Sweet Gale - 1 pt e/w. Available at 16/1 (Sportingbet) 2nd 14/1 ;D
Alfresco - 1 pt e/w. Available at 20/1 (General)
Getcarter chases the hat-trick and, the way he travelled when winning last time out, he is respected. However at much bigger prices Alfresco and Sweet Gale could be worth chancing. Alfresco isn't straightforward but he was in good form over today's trip in May/June before disappointing in his last two outings over five furlongs. The first of those came from the worst draw at Sandown and the last in a very competitive, better class race at Goodwood. He was always being asked to travel a bit faster than he wanted in both those races and today's trip and stiffer track could enable him to get competitive from his lowest mark for two years. The stable have been out of form but there have been tentative signs of improvement lately. Sweet Gale is probably weighted to her best at the moment but she hasn't run badly from a pound higher on her last two outing s and she is the sort who could be finishing well if they go a fast gallop up front. Today's talented five pound claimer has got a good tune out of her on both previous occasions he has been on board.

5.20 - Newcastle - Micky Mac- 1 pt e/w. Available at 10/1 (Blue Square and 888 Sport) 2nd 7/1 ;D
A low grade Apprentice handicap but one in which there are plenty of horses who look reliable at the moment. Averoo will be popular from his current mark and Who's Shirl, It's A Man's World and Just Sam are all in good form. However Micky Mac impressed with the way he stuck to his task when just behind Just Sam on only his second outing of the season at Redcar last time out. He looked likely to be readily outpaced at one point but his stamina came into play and he only eventually went down by a length. His best form last season came over further but this isn't the easiest six furlongs in the country and, from a good draw, it's not difficult seeing him get amongst these at the business end of the race. He has a capable jockey on board and fast ground suits.

7.20 - Newcastle:
Wood Fairy - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (Bet365)
Shadowtime - 1 pt e/w. Available at 18/1 (Sportingbet)

7.50 - Newcastle - Luijiana - 1 pt e/w. Available at 16/1 (General)
A Filly who has only beat one horse home in her two races this season wouldn't be the safest conveyance to get competitive but this opposition don't find winning easy nowadays and there are reasons to believe Luijiana can perform better today. Both her runs this season have come over six furlongs whereas both her career victories have come at the minimum trip. She started the last turf season on a mark of 64 after a good Winter on the A/W but, despite winning on turf from a mark of 57 last Summer, she can now operate from a mark of 52. She will need to be a lot sharper here but a fats run race over today's trip could suit and she has a decent draw if she doesn't allow herself to become outpaced. The yard and jockey have an awful record at this track but I'm not sure it counts for much in a race of this nature.