Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday April 11

Plenty of the handicaps are very competitive, including 14:40. Still, it's not as though one that's on a C&D hat-trick ought to be available at double-figure prices. Presumably differing ground and a better-contested race are the black marks against Plus Jamais. Those concerns are valid, though they fail to allow for the fact that, first and foremost, he's a progressive hurdler, unexposed at what seems his optimum trip and raised just 5 lb for a convincing success in shallower waters last time. He might find one too good, but he shouldn't be 11.010/1 to win.

A number in the 15:50 are on retrieval missions: Viva Colonia from an early exit in the Topham; Tap Night from miscuing on his big day at Cheltenham; Bless The Wings from this season in general. Redemption of a slightly different stripe could come Solix's way, though. Unlike the others, he hasn't really been at fault of late (though his jumping remains a concern), trips of around three miles simply a bit beyond him. Now he's back at two and a half miles; now he's been dropped to a most-lenient mark of 124. Excuses are evidently running out for Solix, who is probably better-handicapped than any of the three mentioned above, so chance him to deliver today.

The 16:55 is a rare treat: a competitive race for mares. Still, it probably pays to focus on the top two in the betting, namely Wednesday Limerick winner Clara Mc Cloud and hat-trick-hunter Bull And Bush. While leaving the disclaimer that Clara Mc Cloud could be about to embark on a sequence that takes her all the way to Perth in a couple of weeks, Bull And Bush looks the percentage call today. She comes here from another well-contested mares' race at Towcester last time, seeing off fellow handicap debutante Cove. She's since had a bit more time for recovery than her main market rival and will certainly be suited by trip and ground, something that- however likely- isn't guaranteed in Clara Mc Cloud's case.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Ayr

Back Plus Jamais @ 11.010/1 in the 14:40
Back Solix @ 6.86/1 in the 15:50
Back Bull And Bush @ 4.216/5 in the 16:55