Wendigo is the undoubted class act on show at Ayr on Thursday as he drops in class for the Join Coral "Bet £10 Get £50" "Chasing Excellence" Novices' Chase.
A quality novice hurdler last season for Jamie Snowden, the seven-year-old has made a fine start to his career over fences, with a Grade Two success at Newbury sandwiched by a couple of perfectly respectable placed efforts.
Everything appeared to be happening a little too fast for him over a flat 4800m at Kempton in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day, but to his credit he kept plugging away to be beaten less than 4 lengths into third behind the impressive Willie Mullins-trained winner Kitzbuhel.
Wendigo has far less on his plate in Scotland and returning to easier ground and a left-handed track, it would be a huge surprise if he does not get back on the winning trail.
Gordon Elliott is a regular visitor to Ayr these days and will have high hopes for his two runners on the card.
Apples Jane, the first daughter of the brilliant racemare Apple's Jade, looked to have inherited at least some of her dam's ability judged on some creditable efforts in bumpers, but she has been disappointing in her first two starts over obstacles.
She is given a third chance to prove her worth in the Play Coral's Free 'Racing-Super-Series' Mares' "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
Elliott and champion jockey Sean Bowen also team up with Stede Bonnet in the Coral Novices' Hurdle.
The dual bumper winner made it third time lucky over hurdles with a clear-cut victory at Tramore on New Year's Day and while he does not appear to be one of the stable's stars in this division, he should be capable of defying the penalty in this company.
Ballyfort can make it three wins from his last four starts in the Coral "New" Horse Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase.
Nick Alexander's charge has won at this track over hurdles and over fences, the most recent of those triumphs coming on his latest appearance. He should go well again despite a 4lb rise in the weights.
Mutley Crew looks sure to go close in the Travel Incentive For British Buyers Novices' Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Still lightly-raced after just 10 lifetime starts, the 10-year-old registered a first win over fences in some style at Fontwell last month and was beaten a nose in her follow-up bid over this course and distance on Boxing Day.
She would almost certainly have won that day had she not jumped right in the straight and raised just 1lb since, another bold showing looks assured.
Space Invasion is expected to make it back-to-back wins at Lingfield in the Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap.
Richard Hannon's Space Blues colt shaped with promise in a couple of novice outings over 1400m and saw out the 1600m well to secure a first win here three weeks ago.
All-weather fare also comes from Chelmsford, where Intervention can bounce back to form in the 18th June Ladies Day Handicap.
A 15-time winner for The Horse Watchers, he has failed to fire the last twice, but had no luck in running whatsoever on his latest start at Lingfield.
With Mason Paetel taking 5lb off his back, Intervention is weighted to go close granted a clear passage in Essex. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
AYR: Race 1 - 15.13 Apples Jane, Race 2 - 15.43 Saracen Beau, Race 3 - 16.13 WENDIGO (NAP), Race 4 - 16.43 Stede Bonnet, Race 5 - 17.13 Fox's Fancy, Race 6 - 17.43 Ballyfort, Race 7 - 18.13 Katagat.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1 - 19.00 Forever Noah, Race 2 - 19.30 Secret History, Race 3 - 20.00 Poetic Jack, Race 4 - 20.30 Intervention, Race 5 - 21.00 Potters Prince, Race 6 - 21.30 Taranjerine, Race 7 - 22.00 Straight A.
LINGFIELD: Race 1 - 15.20 Gustav Graves, Race 2 - 15.50 Space Invasion, Race 3 - 16.20 Celtic John, Race 4 - 16.50 Sarabi, Race 5 - 17.20 Alta Rica, Race 6 - 17.50 Silent Strike, Race 7 - 18.20 All Too Beautiful.
THURLES: Race 1 - 15.25 Hello Jack, Race 2 - 15.55 Gale Force Jet, Race 3 - 16.25 Charme De Faust, Race 4 - 16.55 El Cairos, Race 5 - 17.25 Where Are You Now, Race 6 - 17.55 Eliodam, Race 7 - 18.25 King In Love.
WINCANTON: Race 1 - 15.33 Strong Run, Race 2 - 16.03 Mutley Crew, Race 3 - 16.33 Pourquoi Pas Papa, Race 4 - 17.03 Bradman, Race 5 - 17.33 Jupiter Allen, Race 6 - 18.03 Illico De Cotte, Race 7 - 18.33 Secret Des Lune.