Ayr

Left-handed and around a mile and a half in circumference, Ayr is a fair, galloping track with nine fences and well-graduated turns. There’s a steady downhill run towards the home turn before a gentle rise to the finish, with a relatively short run-in of around 210 yards.

Underfoot conditions play a major part in how races unfold here. When the ground is quick, Ayr can ride quite sharp and it pays to stay within striking distance, as those allowed to get away can prove difficult to catch. In very soft conditions, however, patience is often rewarded, with the demanding ground regularly bringing the field back together and turning races into a thorough test of stamina.

There are no real bogey fences, although testing winter ground can contribute to a high number of non-completions. Ideally, horses need enough speed to hold a position when conditions are quicker, combined with the stamina to cope when Ayr becomes gruelling.