We head across country to Ayr on Saturday

After Honda Fifty was beaten a nose (again!) in the bumper at Carlisle on Thursday, we quickly move on to our runners at Ayr on Saturday.
Two runners and ITV (main channel) covers both of the races at 2.30 (Baby Ticker) and 3.05 (Eternally Yours).

First up, Baby Ticker in the 2m 5½f mares handicap hurdle, which is a qualifier (the last?) for the race to be held on Northern Series Finals day at Musselburgh on 20th March. Baby Ticker has already qualified for the final, but would probably need conditions to be testing to take part there.

Anyway, 9 runners, and the more likely contenders have a similar profile with progressive form this season up until the last run.....which may have come too quickly or over too far a distance.
Phil Kirby's Theflickeringlight, Kinneston Nick's Off The Hook, Lucinda's Calle Malva and Martin T's Ulterior Motives are such and all have the ability to be involved at the finish.
Local trainer Ian Duncan runs Jessiemac, who needs just this run to qualify for the Musselburgh final and is a standing dish at this course.

Baby Ticker is 4lb higher than her highest winning mark and it is asking a lot for the 11yr old mare to improve at this stage of her career after a 10 week absence. But, we hope she can give a good enough account of herself.

Eternally Yours finished 2nd in last year's renewal of the Craigie Cup handicap hurdle over 2m 4½f. She didn't run very well though on her second outing this season over course and distance but post-race she was diagnosed with an infection. Given time to recover, she seems well enough but it's like starting the season over again and she'll definitely need this race.
That leaves her with a bit to prove against 5 opponents.

Top weight The Dutchman was last seen in Tiger Roll's first National win, and might find this distance on the sharp side. Sam's Gunner has won a Grade 3 handicap hurdle in his career but has not shown his best form for some time.
Which leaves it between the consistent, but exposed Better Getalong (a useful hurdler) and a couple of younger, improving rivals in McCain's The Con Man and Whoshottehsheriff.
The latter pair take a drop in grade and could be the classy duo of this race.

Just the six runners but a fascinating race, the top jumps race in Britain on Saturday!!