Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
READYSTEADYBEAU, partnered by his regular jockey Stephen Mulqueen, is after more course success in the £16,000 feature race at Ayr on Saturday.
Lucinda Russell’s raider faces eight rivals in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase over three miles at the West of Scotland venue.
Mulqueen, who has ridden the gelding on his last nine starts, said: “He got it together a bit better last time although he isn’t the most fluent over his fences. He’s worth another try over this longer trip and the first-time visor might just help him concentrate.
Opposition to Readysteadybeau includes Sandy Thomson’s January Ayr winner and fellow market principal Donna’s Double along with Just Don’t Know, Niceandeasy, Cash To Ash, Strong Economy, Glittering Love and Crixus’s Escape, who are all previous course and distance winners.
Russell introduces Rules newcomer Giovinco in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle.
A narrow point to point winner in November, he cost £85,000 at Cheltenham Sales the following month and boasts a smart staying chase pedigree with classy jumpers such as Rocky Creek, Tell Massini and Boondooma in his family.
The card gets underway with Inverness-born Alexander Thorne riding recent Punchestown runner-up Herculaneum for Irish trainer Noel Kelly in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
At Ayr on Friday, Euchan Falls followed up his recent Musselburgh success for Mike Smith in the Enjoy The Virgin Bet Raceday Tomorrow Handicap Hurdle .
Ridden again by Danny McMenamin, he held off his old rival Smart Boyo by a neck.
McMenamin completed a double on Thistle Ask for Langholm handler James Ewart while Lucinda Russell and Patrick Wadge teamed up to score with Without Conviction