Friday horse racing tips: Ayr best bets from Dave Nevison

3.45 Ayr: Music Society

Danny Tudhope will know Never Dark a little better after a decent effort in the 5f handicap on Thursday - and I may well have a saver on him if he turns out again here - but he may well set the race up for another low-drawn horse who looks back in form.

Music Society was an excellent short-head second to the bang in-form Runninwild at Thirsk last time, by far his best recent run and provided it doesn’t get too crowded over on the far rail he might be able to force his way through the field off what is set to be a blistering pace.

He won this same race off a mark of 81 in 2019, unseated the year after and then was drawn right out of things last season. He turns up off a mark of 79 this time and has an excellent chance of winning this tightest of races again with requisite luck in running.

4.20 Ayr: Yellow Bear

If the first-time blinkers have a positive effect he could go well from the front here and should be a price.

Yellow Bear hasn’t really gone on at all since he won first time out this season in a maiden at Thirsk, but he was given a stiff-enough mark and was initially highly tried in very competitive events. He has dropped down the weights a fair bit now and is running in a 0-70 for the first time.

He didn’t run too badly last time at Wolverhampton where he just seemed to fail to stay the 10f trip and the drop back down in distance will definitely suit. Trainer Declan Carroll is in very good form currently.

4.50 Ayr: Star of St James

I believe he could still be very well-handicapped after he returned to form last time when landing us a 9-1 touch.

Star of St James had dropped down the weights after losing his form in the middle of the summer but scored convincingly at Carlisle and has only gone up 4lbs for that effort. He still has a way to go to reach his all-weather achievements and I am not actually convinced that he is not up to it on the grass, rather feeling that he has not been at his best during his spells on turf.

Star of St James has backed up wins in the past and now that he is in form again I would be disappointed if he cannot go well against some very exposed rivals.