Friday tips from Dave Nevison: three picks at Ayr

Despite the big field, this doesn’t look the most competitive handicap hurdle, and could provide an opportunity for Donald Whillans to have another winner after ending a losing run at Kelso on Monday.

So Many Roads has progressed with each run this season and finished a good third over a furlong shorter at this track last time out. 

He finished third in this race last season and is able to run off a 5lb lower mark this time, so might be well handicapped. 

His only success came at this track two years ago, so it appears as though this might well be the day he strikes. 

Travail D’Orfevre won over course and distance off a 2lb higher rating in a four-runner contest 12 months ago, and while this is more competitive, his recent return definitely hinted that he might have had this race in mind, as he certainly wasn’t knocked about to finish a 23-length sixth at this track.

I definitely expect a decent run from him off a rating of 100 at a venue he goes well at.

Gregor Walkingshaw is one of the latest on the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore jockey production line, and has managed to ride a winner plus has had several placed rides while claiming his 10lb allowance. 

He rode a good race on Whistle Stop Tour when the eight-year-old returned to hurdling at Ayr two starts ago, and the pair were only narrowly denied by Nab Wood under the more experienced rider, Danny McMenamin. 

The Nicky Richards-trained winner was strongly supported, and another Richards-trained contender could be sent off favourite here, but I definitely think Walkingshaw can get this contender into the frame, at least, and might manage the victory off just a 2lb higher mark now.