Ayr preview: Bearskin weighted to cut a dash

Bearskin can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 6f handicap on today’s eight-race card at Ayr (15.05).

The Anne Duffield trained gelding was a dual winner over the trip last season, with the last of those successes coming at Hamilton off a mark of 61.

Bearskin went on to finish runner-up off 67 and, although the son of Kodiac has not been at his best in four starts so far this season, his mark has fallen as a result.

The four-year-old is now able to race off 6lb lower than when last victorious, and that gives Bearskin major claims from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.

It’s also interesting that Bearskin was heavily backed last time out when sent off favourite and finishing a creditable seventh at Thirsk, as it suggests connections believe he is now weighted to strike.

Another plus is that Bearskin handles a cut in the ground, and everything points to a big run.

In the 1m 5f handicap (16.35), Love Marmalade looks decent value to land the spoils now eased in grade.

The Alistair Whillans trained gelding was last successful in a class 5 handicap at Musselburgh 14 months ago off a mark of 75, and has since run well to be placed on two occasions in class 4 contests.

They include a solid length second at Musselburgh three starts back, and Love Marmalade is now able to race off a rating of 74.