Kenny Alexander teams up with a new trainer and a potential star for Ben Pauling? Punting pointers for Monday's action

Kenny Alexander teams up with new trainer and shock winner returns to Wolverhampton - punting pointers for Monday's action

Ayr: notable newcomer

Sandy Thomson will break new ground in his training career when he is entrusted with his first runner for prominent owner Kenny Alexander.

Alexander's light blue and white polka dot silks have been carried to success by some of jump racing's biggest stars, none more so than the legendary Honeysuckle, who won two Champion Hurdles, three Irish Champion Hurdles and Hatton's Grace Hurdles during her illustrious career.

Alexander's other star horses include Gala Marceau and Kargese, and Thomson will become just the eighth British-based trainer to saddle a runner for him.

They will be represented by Auchinlek in the concluding 2m bumper (3.45), with the son of Champs Elysees making his debut against 13 rivals.

Thomson said: "I'm delighted that Kenny sent us a horse. He's a big backward type at the moment and he's not really a bumper horse, but we just felt for his education it's better to go in a bumper first before hurdles.

"We'll get him over hurdles fairly quickly, but he's a three-mile chaser for the future."

Auchinlek15:45 Ayr

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Jky: Ryan Mania Tnr: Sandy Thomson

Ayr stat: course specialist

Backing Ardera Cross at Ayr has been profitable, with a £1 bet on each outing yielding a profit of £45.38 after nine wins. He runs in the 2m½f handicap chase (2.35).

Ardera Cross14:35 Ayr

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Jky: Derek Fox Tnr: William Young Jnr

Wolverhampton: shock winner returns

Desiderata caused a huge shock when getting his head in front for the first time here on Saturday and two days later he bids to prove that it was no fluke.

The five-year-old had finished in front of just five horses in six underwhelming starts for Ryan Potter, but has seemingly thrived for the switch to trainer Tom Faulkner when striking for him at 66-1 at the weekend.

Connections seem eager to strike while the iron remains hot as he is rapidly turned out again in the second division of the 1m4f handicap (8.30). He will be ridden by Finley Marsh, who did the steering in the major shock at the weekend.

Faulkner, whose yard near Chepstow was battling with the snow on Sunday, said: "He's gone and won on his stable debut, and won quite nicely, so we're not sure what the handicapper is going to do.

"I'll have to see what he does in the morning but he seems well enough. He did a nice piece of work before his win last time but he was an unknown for us.

"All I've had since the win is aggro off my owners for not telling them to get on Desiderata when he was 100-1!"