Tote Placepot tips: selections for Ayr on Saturday

Race: 1.15pm - Scotty Brand Handicap Chase.

Only six runners, but a tricky puzzle to solve on paper. Sans Bruit won in good style at Aintree last week and could take all the beating if he's in the same form here, but has only had nine days to recover from his exertions there, and it may pay to side with a contender who is arriving here as a fresher horse. 

Uncle Phil is sure to be a popular choice given he's trained by Willie Mullins, and ridden by Paul Townend, and the seven-year-old holds strong claims, despite the fact he's 11lb higher following his win in the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase when last seen. 

Traprain Law impressed over course and distance when last seen and should have more to offer, so expect him in the mix again on Saturday.

Selections: Uncle Phil (2) and Traprain Law (5).

Race: 1.50pm - CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase.

Great to see the admirable 11-year-old Sharjah representing the Willie Mullins team here! He's not without hope here dropping down in class, despite the fact he has 12st to carry. He could be vulnerable for win purposes given his welter burden, but has shown some strong form in defeat this season, and should be capable of hitting the frame at least, given his class. 

Marble Sands may not have much in hand off a rating of 147, but has some decent form next to his name, and his rider takes off a handy 5lb. He scored at this track last year, too, and should run well.

Selections: Sharjah (1) and Marble Sands (2).

Race: 2.25pm - Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.

L'Eau Du Sud went agonisingly close in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen and a repeat of that performance should see him go close again here, despite the fact he's been raised another 3lb since. He also went close in the Betfair Hurdle prior to that and deserves to win a nice prize following those efforts. 

Favour And Fortune has always been held in high regard by his connections, and the six-year-old ran respectably when sixth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last time out. That's strong form and he could be nicely treated off a rating of 138 on his handicap debut, so it will be disappointing if he isn't involved in the finish here. 

Selections: L'Eau Du Sud (5) and Favour And Fortune (6).

Race: 3.00pm - Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Another strong hand for Willie Mullins here, with A Penny A Hundred, Saylavee and Pink In The Park representing the serial Irish champion trainer as he chases the British title.

The former is the choice of Paul Townend and finished second behind Grade One winner Jade De Grugy three starts ago. She may have found Grade One company too hot behind that rival when last seen, but ought to have a strong chance now she drops back down in grade. She should have more to offer, too.

Saylavee also has some notable for next to her name, as does Pink In The Park, so they are both worth considering as selections, too. Just A Penny For A Hundred for us, though! 

Selection: A Penny A Hundred (2).

Race: 3.35pm - Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase.

By far the trickiest race of the day! Plenty you can make a case for here. Racing TV's Andy Stephens has shared his shortlist for the Ayr showpiece, which is certainly worth a read:

The progressive Inis Oirr really impressed last time out when stepped up to 3m7f (and sporting a first-time visor) in the Edinburgh National last time out. He clearly relishes a stamina test and has been kept fresh for this race, which is a positive. 

His handler won this in 2021 and there's plenty to like about his chances .

Another who should run well is Autonomous Cloud. He had excuses when pulling up in the Welsh National (which he was sent off favourite for) two starts ago and may have just needed the run following an 80-day break when fourth in the Midlands National when last seen.

There's more to come from Fergal O'Brien's charge and is one of plenty who made the shortlist for this race! 

Selections: Autonomous Cloud (15) and Inis Oirr (17).

Race: 4.10pm - Let Good Times Roll With Stagecoach Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

The exciting Masaccio has produced some useful form this season and a rating of 129 probably underestimates him. He looks a solid option despite this looking another wide-open contest. 

Welcom To Cartries is another making their handicap debut here and, similar to Masaccio, he could be a few pounds ahead of the handicapper off a rating of 130 on his handicap debut. 

It will be disappointing if one of these two contenders do not finish in the first three.

Selections: Welcom To Cartries (4) and Masaccio (5).