Dowd’s Destiny travels north in search of back-to-back wins at Ayr

Nicky Richards’ charge is undoubtedly a talented horse, but the nine-year-old has had his problems and this will be just his seventh career start.

Winner of one of his three outings over hurdles, Dowd’s Destiny made a good start over fences, when just edged into second at Market Rasen in November, before heading to this track for a wide-margin win last time. He cruised home by 14 lengths that day and looks a runner of real potential if Richards can just keep him right.

Ballycarron Lad is worth a chance in the Best Odds At BetVictor.com Handicap Chase as he steps back in trip.

The ten-year-old put up a fair performance at Perth back in April but the marathon three-mile-seven-furlong trip did not seem to play to his strengths. He ran well enough to finish fourth but returned to a less testing distance this time, he can regain the winning thread despite his lengthy lay-off.

Meanwhile, Musselburgh has pipped some of the UK’s leading tracks to win the Dual Purpose Award in the Neil Wyatt Racecourse Groundstaff of the Year Awards.

The awards recognise the hard work, planning and innovation that goes in to keeping racecourses in tip-top condition and Musselburgh was first past the post ahead of Ascot in the dual flat and jumps category.

Musselburgh’s head of ground staff, Mark Bemrose, and his team were praised by the judging panel for “the improvements in the racing surface at Musselburgh, along with the high standards in all areas and the involvement of the team in development of the new stable complex”.

The Awards are sponsored by Pithcare.com and are now in their 16th year. The judges comprised of representatives of the National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockeys’ Association, with support from the BHA Inspectors of Courses.

Richard Linley, Senior BHA Inspector of Courses, said: “It was an extremely difficult decision for the panel to select a winner in each category for the Pitchcare Neil Wyatt Groundstaff Awards 2011, as yet again groundsmen around the country have demonstrated real commitment to their work and on frequent occasions in very difficult circumstances. There is some impressive work going on at racecourses around the country and the panel has chosen very worthy winners.”

Dale Gibson from The Professional Jockeys Association said: “We all appreciate the hard work that the ground staff put in day in day out and without their effort racing simply would not take place.”

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said that the award was a “truly great result” against strong competition.

He said: “Mark and his team deserve great credit for this award and it reflects the dedication and hard work which goes into the track and grounds at Musselburgh throughout the year.”