Paul Kealy's play of the day at Ayr

Special Rate

2.15 Ayr

It's a quiet day but I'll be backing Special Rate on his third run for Lizzie Quinlan in the 3m Class 3 handicap chase (2.15), as I thought he was put in at a big price (6-1 on first show) considering how well he shaped in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time.

Having unseated his rider when travelling well about a mile out on his seasonal return at Ayr in November, he was sent to Newcastle for the Grade 3 Rehearsal, easily the best race he has run in, and didn't look out of place for much of it, travelling sweetly and moving into third turning for home before finding very little and dropping back to finish a 28-length seventh.

It's quite possible he was just outclassed on that big step up in grade, but the fact he was sent for a wind op just three days later suggests there was an issue. If that's the case, he could be pretty well treated having dropped to a mark of 128.

Special Rate won four times over fences for Philip Kirby last year, all on soft ground, and in one of them he gave a stone and a comfortable beating to Jet Legs off this mark at Kelso (also won off 5lb higher next time when finishing alone in a match).

He's 3lb better in the weights with that one, who was barely a third of his price when the first shows came out.

The early favourite is Whistle Stop Tour, who is lightly raced and seemingly on the up for Lucinda Russell, having got off the mark over fences at Kelso last month.

Staying looks his game on that evidence as he was never stronger than at the finish, but I thought a 6lb rise was harsh, given he was all out and the runner-up was beaten 25 lengths next time.

Special Rate14:15 Ayr

View Racecard

Jky: Sean Quinlan Tnr: Lizzie Quinlan

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