PADDY CAN LIVE UP TO THE HYPE AT AYR

By Ashley Iveson, PA

All eyes will be on Derryhassen Paddy when he makes his eagerly awaited chasing debut at Ayr.

The six-year-old already has some experience over fences having graduated from the Irish point-to-point field and what he achieved in his first four starts for Lucinda Russell suggests he has all the tools to make up into a top-class performer in this sphere.

Derryhassen Paddy bolted up in a bumper here in February of last year and maintained his unbeaten record with back-to-back wins over hurdles at Uttoxeter and Windsor last winter.

He met with defeat for the first time at the Cheltenham Festival but emerged with plenty of credit, picking up minor honours in third behind the vastly more experience Jasmin De Vaux, who had won a Grade One before and has won another one since.

An imposing individual, Derryhassen Paddy should make up into an even better horse over the larger obstacles and while Sixmilebridge is a significant rival in the Play Coral ``Racing-Super-Series'' ``Chasing Excellence'' Beginners' Chase, the home-trained runner looks to have more potential.

Russell and her new training partner Michael Scudamore are also likely to have high hopes for De Legislator in the opening ``We're Here For It'' Handicap Chase.

The Kinross team went to E170,000 to secure this gelding in 2022 and he made a good start for his new connections by winning a couple of low-key novice hurdles at Hexham and Kelso.

He then disappointed in Grade Two company at Haydock and was not seen in competitive action again for the best part of two years and in truth there was not a great deal of encouragement to be taken from his comeback effort at Ayr in January.

However, he raised his game significantly to get back on the winning trail on his next start at Wetherby, beating a horse who has won five times since and is now rated 137 in Art Of Diplomacy.

De Legislator has another absence to overcome on his seasonal debut and has clearly had his problems, but there is no doubt on pure ability alone he is well handicapped off a mark of 112.

Listed honours are up for grabs in the Yorton Mares' Novices' Chase at Bangor and the tentative vote goes to Diva Luna.

In-form trainer Ben Pauling has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds this six-year-old and she has largely lived up to the billing, winning a Grade Two bumper at Aintree a couple of seasons ago and faring well over hurdles last season, most notably winning at Cheltenham on New Year's Day before returning to Prestbury Park to finish third at the Festival.

She has a bit to find on ratings with a couple of her rivals in Wrexham, most notably Nicky Henderson's Joyeuse, but the Seven Barrows string is not yet firing on all cylinders whereas Pauling has his team in rude health.

The Doyen Chief is backed to pick up where he left off in the #40,000 Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase.

Still lightly-raced after only 10 lifetime starts under rules, Alan King's eight-year-old finished off last season with a flourish, scoring at both Kempton and Warwick in March before heading out for his summer break.

There could still be some mileage in his revised rating of 137 ahead of his return.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 2 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

BANGOR: Race 1: 14.30 Pragnell, Race 2: 15.00 Moonshine Man, Race 3: 15.30 Diva Luna, Race
4: 16.00 The Doyen Chief, Race 5: 16.30 Playful Fox, Race 6: 17.00 Count Of Vendome, Race 7:
17.30 Orderoftheday, Race 8: 18.00 Malicash.

AYR: Race 1: 15.15 De Legislator, Race 2: 15.45 Platin Moon, Race 3: 16.20 Clonakilty, Race 4:
16.50 DERRYHASSEN PADDY (NAP), Race 5: 17.20 Kent De Thaix, Race 6: 17.50 Prophetess
Miriam.

ALL TO COME: De Legislator and Derryhassen Paddy (Ayr, Races 1 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za