Darvel is a local hero at Ayr races

Watch out for Ardera Cross at Perth

Jockey Kevin Stott guided 11-8 favourite Darvel to victory in the Follow Us On Twitter@chbmedical Novice Stakes at Ayr. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty

A horse carrying the name of a town about 12 miles from the track was the star performer at Ayr yesterday when Darvel landed the Follow Us On Twitter@chbmedical novice Stakes.

The colt, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Kevin Stott, was sent off the 11-8 favourite and won rather cosily in the end by two lengths from Toussarok, who had previously won at Newcastle.

The winner, who cost 380,000gns, and second both look like horses with a good future.

Glasses Up won his fifth race at the track, powering home under jockey Paddy Mathers in a highly competitive 1m 2f handicap to win at 5-1 from 7-2 favourite Returnofthemac.

The winner was a £2,000 buy from Ireland and now boasts £50,000 in prize money.

Delighted trainer Mike Smith said: “He has been a great horse for the yard.

“He won here four weeks ago to give me my first winner for a while, ran second next time out and has now won again today and that’s five winners I’ve trained in a month. 
Happy days !”

Borders trainer Alistair Whillans was on the score sheet with Jordan Electrics who was an all the way winner of division two of the CHB Medical Facemasks ‘Get Masked Up’ Handicap.

The 5-1 chance was given a superb ride by Ben Robinson and the trainer’s son Ewan said the plan would be to try to get the four year-old up in the weights to get a run in 
September’s Ayr Bronze Cup.

There was a double on the day for in-form jockey Paul Mulrennan, who partnered Ice Ice Lady to win the opening five furlong handicap for Lambourn trainer Archie Watson and Epeius to land division one of the six furlong handicap.

Joe Fanning was also in double form on Chase The Dollar
in the maiden stakes and Hachert in the seven-furlong handicap.

At Perth today, Bargain buy Ardera Cross is after more Perth prize money on Tuesday as the two-time course winner lines up for the Scottish Tourism Alliance Handicap Hurdle.

Snapped up by William Young for just £1,000 at Doncaster Sales in May last year, he gave his Clyde Valley connections an immediate return when springing a 40-1 upset over two miles at the Scone track last June.

He has since become a real money-spinner by adding five more victories, including four over fences, and on each occasion has been partnered by regular jockey Sam Coltherd.

The main danger could be course specialist Amalfi Doug for last season’s leading Perth owners The County Set (seven) & Partner.

Sandy Thomson has assembled a nice team for the summer jumps campaign and Cedar Hill makes his debut for the Berwickshire trainer in the Scottish Enterprise Supports Perth Racecourse Handicap Hurdle. The gelding, who carries the colours of Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe, has winning form in Ireland and was formerly trained by Iain Jardine.

Lucinda Russell has declared 13 runners for the short trip up the M90 to her local track and she is double-handed in several races including with Rising Marienbard and Prince Dundee in the Perth Visit racingtv.com Handicap Chase.

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