Outlaw Peter unlikely to be caught at Ayr

Outlaw Peter can defy a 5lb rise up the ratings to take the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr on Friday for Paul Nicholls.

The eight-year-old gelding won on his chasing debut by beating Walk In Clover in a match race at Newton Abbott in September, when sent off a short-priced favourite.

He was stepped up in trip to 4800m on his next outing but disappointed and was pulled up by Harry Cobden, but gave a far better account of himself when dropped back to a more favourable 4000m.

Following a 61-day break, he was narrowly beaten into second at Kempton on Boxing Day and then was placed again at Musselburgh in February before returning to the winner's enclosure at Kempton last month.

He can follow up on that victory and has shown he is versatile in terms of ground conditions.

Doddiethegreat is favoured to put a disappointing run at the Cheltenham Festival behind him in the Coral "We're Here For It" Handicap Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's runners endured a poor Festival and Doddiethegreat finished nearly 20 lengths behind Langer Dan in the Coral Cup.

However, the Seven Barrows string have enjoyed a return to form in recent times and Doddiethegreat can maintain that at Ayr and get back to the sort of level that saw him win his first four races.

Spartan Army will look to carry his all-weather form onto turf in the Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap over an extended 3200m at Newbury.

The five-year-old won his first three races after switching to the Flat from hurdles before finishing third last time out in the BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap at Newcastle.

He is still fairly handicapped on a mark of 96 and his two wins over hurdles both came with cut in the ground.

Dashing Darcey goes in search of a delayed hat-trick in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap.

Following a disappointing debut at Wolverhampton that saw him pulled up, he immediately put a line through that when a neck second at Newcastle and then landed a pair of mile races at Lingfield in December.

Switching to handicap company for the first time, the three-year-old can make it a winning debut on turf.

Soir De Gala can make it a quickfire double in the first division of the Bell Inn Bovey Tracey Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.

A 7lb penalty for breaking his maiden at Taunton last week can be overcome by the progressive five-year-old.

Molly Mischief is another going in search of back-to-back victories under a 5lb penalty in the Whitsbury Manor Supporting Lope Y Fernandez Apprentice Handicap at Bath.

A comfortable 6.5-length win at Southwell last week can be followed up for Jennie Candlish's four-year-old filly. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

AYR: Race 1: 14.20 Jackpot D'Athou, Race 2: 14.50 Shakeyatailfeather, Race 3: 15.20 Whistle Stop Tour, Race 4: 15.50 OUTLAW PETER (NAP), Race 5: 16.20 Doddiethegreat, Race 6: 16.55 Royal Mer, Race 7: 17.30 Billytherealbigred, Race 8: 18.00 Castletown.

FONTWELL: Race 1: 14.30 American Land, Race 2: 15.00 Dreaming Blue, Race 3: 15.30 Trevor's Lad, Race 4: 16.00 Master Dancer, Race 5: 16.30 Concrete King, Race 6: 17.05 Bethpage.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.42 Hawaiian, Race 2: 15.12 Bosh, Race 3: 15.42 Magic Dream, Race 4: 16.12 Sam Hawkens, Race 5: 16.45 Spartan Army, Race 6: 17.15 Dashing Darcey, Race 7: 17.50 Pride and Power.

BATH: Race 1: 17.10 Molly Mischief, Race 2: 17.40 Flicka's Girl, Race 3: 18.15 Moe's Legacy, Race 4: 18.45 Pinafore, Race 5: 19.15 God Bless America, Race 6: 19.45 Virtual Hug, Race 7: 20.15 Raqraaq, Race 8: 20.45 King Of Speed.

EXETER: Race 1: 17.25 Vincenzo, Race 2: 17.55 Dunbulcan Bay, Race 3: 18.30 Soir De Gala, Race 4: 19.00 Star Of Affinity, Race 5: 19.30 Kick Up A Storm, Race 6: 20.00 Grand Escaparde, Race 7: 20.30 Wicked Thoughts, Race 8: 21.00 Hearts Corner.

ALL TO COME: Outlaw Peter (Ayr, Race 4) and Spartan Army (Newbury, Race 5).