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IT IS THE biggest day of the year for Ayr racecourse on the level with the Ayr Gold and Silver Cups, alongside a Group Three, Listed events and a class two handicap.

The two big sprints are always very difficult to dissect and this year is certainly no different, but top of my punting shop has to be CANDY (2.25) in the Silver version. In fact trainer Richard Spencer has two big shots at this consolation event as he also saddles the bottom weight Righthere Rightnow and both should be backed each-way at double figure prices.

The selection was an above average two-year-old winning handicaps off 74 and 76 and then landing his biggest prize of his first season in training, the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar 18/1. Since then the three-year-old has been beaten off marks in the high 90s. 

However, he showed the first signs that the handicapper has got him back down to a more realistic mark of 92 when he was a real eye catcher when fourth of 19 behind Brosay at Ascot earlier in the month. The bay colt should have stepped forward for that first run for two months and gets the chance to race off the same mark here from a middle draw, which will give George Wood the chance to race on either side.

His stable mate is a whole lot more unexposed with just six runs under his belt having run two cracking races at Chester and Newmarket. Coming back to six furlongs is definitely a plus and I suspect any give in the ground will also suit the son of Kodiac. Of the remainder of the 25 runner field, course and distance winner Rousing Encore and progressive Nariko should also run well.

The feature race at 3.35 looks a fair renewal this year and the likelihood is that the recent York winner Northern Ticker will start favourite, having promised plenty on his previous start. A 5lbs penalty looks fair enough and it is not hard to see him being involved again. But at a much better value price PUROSANGUE is just about preferred. The selection was once viewed as a possible top grade horse, but his esteemed trainer has yet to find the key to him, although I concede he has probably not been the easiest to train.

Tried at up to seven furlongs this year, I think a well run race over this shorter trip with some give in the ground will be very suitable and the handicapper has now dropped him to his lowest ever handicap mark of 98. The cream on the cake is that the jockey of the moment, Oisin Murphy, has been booked and the only question mark is his box draw in stall number two.

The Group Three Firth of Clyde Stakes has a cracking entry of 15 juvenile fillies and MOOD QUEEN (3.00) could well fit the bill here. Twice she has probably raced too freely in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and Lowther Stakes and this represents a drop in grade. 

It is worth remembering that this will be only her fifth career start and if James Doyle can get her to relax and drop her in early on, then I think she may have too much for the likes of Dandana and the Roger Varian trained Coming Attraction.

Of the other races on the card, KING’S GAMBIT (1.50) can finally land a race in his third season after running well in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and is taken to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Strensall Stakes, where he could never got a shot at the leaders.

Of the two divisions of the handicaps at the back end of the card, I think that Jim Goldie’s ORIENTAL PRINCE (4.40) will go well in the first race. Back down to his last winning mark since last year at Haydock Park, he probably did a bit too much too soon at Thirsk last time out, but has a nice draw in stall four to be hidden in mid-pack here.

Over at Newbury, there are some nice prizes up for grabs including the Autumn Handicap over 13 furlongs. Dramatic Star is certainly building up to a career best run, having pushed The Reverend to a neck in the Old Borough Cup Handicap at Haydock Park. But the pick at much bigger odds surely has to be MASTER BUILDER (2.05) who finished some three and a half lengths behind the William Haggas-trained runner at the Merseyside track two weeks ago.

On that occasion, the tip was at a huge disadvantage coming from off a slow pace in a race which literally developed into a three-furlong sprint. Dropped a pound to a rating of 91, he looks tremendous each-way value at around the 12/1 mark this afternoon.

Haggas should certainly go close in the opening World Trophy Stakes with FIRST INSTINCT (1.50), while WATCHA SNOOP (3.15) could have been underestimated in the market in the Mill Reef Stakes. Hugo Palmer’s charge should have been undefeated in two runs and I am sure has a lot more to offer in this Group Two race named in honour of the great Geoff Lewis.

Later on, ARCTIC THUNDER (4.25) can bounce back from being a beaten favourite last time out at Haydock Park, when he looked more than a shade unlucky to finish a length and a half fourth behind Ata Rangi.

The best wager at Chester could well be the top weight JER BATT (4.15). He will certainly need better luck in the run than he got that last time he raced at the Cheshire track in May, but he is undeniably well treated here.

At Newmarket, have a second look at SENSORIUM (2.10) who finally gets a chance to race over seven furlongs for the first time in his career.