Ayr Racing Tips & Predictions - Tuesday 5th May 2026

Our Ayr racing tips cover all 7 races on the card today, Tuesday 5th May 2026. The action gets underway at 14:00 and runs through to 17:00, with going reported as 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick).

A few names jump off the page from a course-form perspective. Taygar boasts a 66.67% strike rate from 3 runs at the track, Daniel Tudhope has been in fine form here with 103 wins from 632 rides, Karl Thornton’s yard sends out runners with a 22.22% strike rate at this venue. Below you’ll find race-by-race breakdowns with our top selections, live odds and tipster picks.

Tipster Performance at Ayr

Here’s how the leading tipsters have fared at Ayr over the last two years (minimum 10 selections):

14:00 – Weddings At Western House Hotel Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Race Details: 6f | Class 4 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This doesn’t look a deep maiden on paper and the market has latched onto the right horses. Railwayman sets the standard after a promising debut third and, from stall 1 for Karl Burke, he has the look of one who should know plenty more now. Stoneacre Joe is the obvious threat after stepping forward from his first run to finish second, while Mind Over Matter brings the best body of juvenile form and is interesting back from a break. After that, the race thins out quickly. Several of the older horses have shown little, and a few of the lesser-exposed three-year-olds need to find chunks of improvement. It feels more straightforward than tricky, with the first three in the betting holding a clear edge on what they’ve actually achieved.

Top Selections

1. Railwayman – 8/15 with Bet365

Jockey: Clifford Lee | Trainer: K R Burke | Form: 3 | Rating: 71 | Topspeed: 35

Railwayman is hard to oppose in a race of this shape. He made a perfectly fair start when third on debut, and that bare form already puts him ahead of most of these. You’d expect plenty of improvement from a Burke-trained three-year-old from first run to second, and the stable is more than capable of readying one to go and finish the job in a northern maiden like this. The inside draw is no bad thing over 6f at Ayr if he breaks on terms, and Clifford Lee is a positive booking as ever. At 8/15 you’re not stealing money, but he looks the most likely winner by a fair margin. Bet type: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Mind Over Matter – 9/2 with Paddy Power

Jockey: Jason Hart | Trainer: John & Sean Quinn | Form: 247- | Rating: 77 | Topspeed: 51

If you want to play against the short one each-way, Mind Over Matter makes more appeal than the more obvious Stoneacre Joe at the prices. He showed useful bits of form in three runs as a juvenile, and that mark of 77 tells you he’s not lacking ability for this level. There’s a slight question around fitness on his return, but the Quinn yard can get them ready and Jason Hart is an eye-catching booking. Drawn 8, he may need things to fall right early, but this isn’t a deep maiden and his previous form entitles him to be very competitive. Available at 9/2, he looks the value each-way angle. Bet type: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Keep it simple: Railwayman is the win bet and looks the likeliest result if taking the expected step forward from debut. For an each-way punt, Mind Over Matter appeals at the bigger price because his juvenile form gives him solid place claims in an ordinary race. Stoneacre Joe is the obvious danger and the one most likely to spoil both bets if improving again.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

14:30 – Half Price Brunch/Lunch @westernhousehotel Handicap

Race Details: 5f | Class 6 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This is a proper sharp 5f handicap where early pace and track position will matter plenty, and there are a few in here arriving with solid enough claims without any of them looking bombproof. Little Mi Mi comes here in the best recent form after a win and a close second, while Canaria Queen also arrives on the back of a success and is clearly thriving again. Harb is dangerously well treated on older sprint form and Tommy McJohn shaped with encouragement on his return, so the market has every reason to be fairly lively. It is not the deepest Class 6 you will see, but it is a tricky little puzzle because several have bits and pieces of form that put them right in the argument if they break smartly and get the run of the race.

Top Selections

1. Little Mi Mi – 18/5 with Betfair

Jockey: Andrew Mullen | Trainer: Iain Jardine | Form: 2-1612 | Rating: 74 | Topspeed: 52

Little Mi Mi looks the percentage call. She has been in really good nick on her last three starts, winning before following up with a close second, and that sort of recent sharp sprint form is usually what you want in a race like this. Stall 3 looks workable, she is not burdened by a big weight, and Jardine’s mare has the profile of one who is holding her form better than most of these. At around 18/5 she is not missed by the layers, but there is enough substance to her recent efforts to think she still holds strong claims of landing this. Bet: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Tommy McJohn – 7/1 with Paddy Power

Jockey: Barry McHugh | Trainer: Adrian Paul Keatley | Form: 0008-3 | Rating: 73 | Topspeed: 27

Tommy McJohn is the each-way play because his latest third suggested he may be about to come good again after a fairly lifeless spell. That was his first run back and he shaped as though the outing had sharpened him up, which makes him interesting now returned quickly enough in a race lacking an obvious standout. The wide draw in 11 is not ideal over a bare 5f, but if McHugh can get him rolling early he has the pace to be involved. At 7/1 he makes more appeal as an each-way punt than some of the shorter ones, especially if building on that comeback effort. Bet: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Little Mi Mi is the solid win bet on current form and looks the likeliest to run her race again. Tommy McJohn is the each-way alternative in a race where plenty have something to prove but he hinted at a revival last time. Canaria Queen is the obvious danger after her latest win, while Harb is another who would not surprise if bouncing back.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

15:00 – Sunday Lunch At Western House Hotel Handicap

Race Details: 7f | Class 6 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This doesn’t look a deep Class 6 by any means, but it is the sort of Ayr handicap where the pace and the draw can make it awkward for punters who get lazy. Ashen is the obvious starting point after shaping well enough in better company and he’s rightly prominent in the market, while Coconut Bay and Jkr Cobbler bring solid enough handicap form to the table without being bombproof. Camera Shy has the ability to get involved if bouncing back from a lesser effort, and Habrdi is not completely dismissed despite a wide stall. With Alex Belardo a non-runner, the race has thinned a touch, and that probably helps the more straightforward types. It looks a winnable race rather than a strong one, with recent sharpness likely to decide it.

Top Selections

1. Ashen – 13/8 with Bet365

Jockey: Paul Mulrennan | Trainer: Jim Goldie | Form: 07-773 | Rating: 79 | Topspeed: 63

Ashen is hardly thrown in, but he does look the one with the most persuasive profile in a race lacking depth. His latest third suggested he was coming to the boil, and that mark of 79 does not look beyond him in this grade. Jim Goldie’s runners are always worth respecting at Ayr, and Paul Mulrennan is an uncomplicated booking for a horse who ought to get a handy position from stall 3. He hasn’t been winning, which is the slight concern at a short enough price, but this is easier than some of the races he has been contesting and 13/8 is fair rather than fancy. Bet: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Jkr Cobbler – 5/1 with Bet365

Jockey: Andrew Mullen | Trainer: Iain Jardine | Form: 8-5445 | Rating: 77 | Topspeed: 70

Jkr Cobbler makes plenty of appeal as the each-way play because he’s been knocking on the door without quite getting his head in front. Those recent figures of 5445 tell the story of a horse holding his form, and his Topspeed mark of 70 stacks up perfectly well in this company. He’s a seven-year-old now, so there may not be much upside, but that also means connections know exactly what trip and setup suit him. If Andrew Mullen can slot him in from stall 7 and produce him late, he looks more likely than most to run his race. At 5/1, he’s the value against the favourite. Bet: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Ashen is the percentage call and makes most appeal as the straight win bet in a weakish handicap. For an each-way punt, Jkr Cobbler looks the sensible alternative given his consistency and fair mark. Coconut Bay is the obvious danger if reviving from a quiet return, while Camera Shy has enough ability to get involved if back on song.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

15:30 – Luxury Breaks At Western House Hotel Handicap

Race Details: 1m 1f | Class 6 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This is a pretty ordinary Class 6 on paper but it is not short of angles. Dingwall arrives in the sort of form that makes him obvious, with three straight runner-up efforts, while Land Of The Giants shaped well when second last time and has the class edge on official figures. Uncle Liam is another with solid recent placed form and a handy racing weight, so the market should revolve around that trio. The question is whether this turns into a straightforward case of backing the most reliable horse, or whether one of the better-treated types can improve past them. In a 12-runner handicap at Ayr on quick ground, draw and track position will matter, but this still looks more about attitude and who is ready to go through with it late.

Top Selections

1. Dingwall – 4/1 with Betfair

Jockey: Cam Hardie | Trainer: Iain Jardine | Form: 3-6222 | Rating: 74 | Topspeed: 62

There is always a danger with one who keeps finding a way to finish second, but Dingwall is doing plenty right and this does not look the race to get too clever in. Those last three silver-medal efforts give him the strongest recent profile in the field, and stall 2 is no bad place to work from around here. Iain Jardine’s runner is clearly holding his form, and Cam Hardie knows exactly what he has underneath him now. At 4/1, he is not a gift, but in a modest handicap full of patchy types he is the one bringing the most dependable level of current form. Bet: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Runninsonofagun – 9/1 with Bet365

Jockey: Greg Fairley | Trainer: Tristan Davidson | Form: 48323- | Rating: 74 | Topspeed: 68

Runninsonofagun makes plenty of each-way appeal at the prices. He signed off last season with a sequence that suggested his turn was near, notably the placed efforts in his final two starts, and he returns on a mark that looks workable enough in this grade. He is not thrown in, but he is consistent, handles a battle, and his Topspeed figure of 68 stacks up well against most of these. Greg Fairley takes over for Tristan Davidson and if this 4yo has come back in the same nick, 9/1 looks bigger than it should in a race where several shorter-priced rivals have become a bit exposed. Bet: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Dingwall is the percentage call for the win bet because he is simply arriving with the most solid, repeatable form. For an each-way punt, Runninsonofagun looks the value at 9/1 in a 12-runner field with three places on offer. The main dangers are Land Of The Giants, who has the rating to win this, and Uncle Liam, whose low weight and consistent profile make him hard to dismiss.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

16:00 – Book Unite Scotland Summer Raceday Handicap

Race Details: 1m | Class 5 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This is a small-field mile handicap but it is not short on angles. David O’Meara holds a strong hand with Rajapour and Donna Nook, while Eve’s Boy arrives off a better run than the bare form figures might suggest and has attracted plenty of support from tipsters. Pearl Eye and Penelope’s Sister represent Jim Goldie and both are weighted to be competitive if returning in the right mood, though neither comes here with the same immediate momentum. Starliner is dangerous off a light weight and brings the best Topspeed figure in the field, but stall 7 is not ideal in a tactical seven-runner affair. It looks a race likely to be decided by track position and who gets the cleanest run when the pace lifts.

Top Selections

1. Rajapour – 3/1 with Paddy Power

Jockey: Mark Winn | Trainer: David O’Meara | Form: 955782 | Rating: 91 | Topspeed: 79

Rajapour looks the solid option in a race where a few have questions to answer. He was beaten only narrowly when second last time and that run suggested he is ready to strike from this sort of mark. His recent figures do not scream certainty, but they do show a horse holding his form well enough in similar company. O’Meara’s runners often do well in these northern handicaps when they start knocking on the door, and Mark Winn is a good fit for a horse who may need delivering late. At 3/1, he is not exactly hidden, but he still makes plenty of appeal as the one with the most dependable profile. Bet: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Starliner – 8/1 with Bet365

Jockey: William Pyle | Trainer: Linda Perratt | Form: 455054 | Rating: 86 | Topspeed: 86

Starliner is the each-way play at a price because there is enough in the profile to think he can outrun market expectations. He has not been finishing his races off with any great authority lately, but the handicapper has relented and that Topspeed figure of 86 stands out in this line-up. Off just 124, he gets in lightly and that matters if this turns tactical before becoming a dash from the two pole. The wide draw is a nuisance rather than a deal-breaker in a seven-runner field, and William Pyle should have options if he breaks cleanly. At 8/1, he looks the value each-way punt for the places with a bit of upside if things fall right. Bet: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Rajapour is the win bet after that latest second hinted his turn is near in a race lacking depth. For an each-way alternative, Starliner makes most appeal off a low weight and with the best Topspeed figure on offer. Eve’s Boy is the obvious danger if building on his recent runner-up effort, while Donna Nook also has claims if she gets the run of the race from stall 2.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

16:30 – Ayr Racecourse Racing Club Handicap

Race Details: 6f | Class 6 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This is a small-field sprint but not quite the penalty kick the market suggests. The Gay Blade arrives in excellent nick after a string of solid efforts and is the obvious one to beat, especially given how reliable he has become in these low-grade handicaps. Still, there are a couple of rivals with enough in their profile to make this more than a one-horse affair. Taygar has the raw speed figures to get involved if bouncing back from a modest return, while Tarlac is interesting on old form and could be dangerous if this sharper 6f on quick ground suits. Iris Dancer is consistent enough to be in the mix without screaming winner. It’s a winnable Class 6 rather than a deep one, and recent race fitness may prove decisive.

Top Selections

1. The Gay Blade – 15/8 with Bet365

Jockey: Cara Tuke | Trainer: Iain Jardine | Form: 411412 | Rating: 74 | Topspeed: 59

He is the solid one in the race and, in a contest where several have questions to answer, that counts for plenty. The recent form figures of 411412 tell the story: he keeps turning up, keeps running his race and looks well placed off a mark of 74. He doesn’t have the standout Topspeed figure in the field, but he’s clearly thriving and this looks another suitable Class 6 opening. Cara Tuke knows how to get a tune out of these seasoned sprinters and Jardine’s runner is hard to oppose on current wellbeing alone. At 15/8 he’s not a giveaway, but he still makes the most sense. Bet type tag: WIN

Bet: WIN

2. Tarlac – 6/1 with Bet365

Jockey: Jason Hart | Trainer: Katie Scott | Form: 476-76 | Rating: 73 | Topspeed: 78

He’s the one I’d want on side each-way because the price gives you a bit of room and his best figures stack up very well in this company. That Topspeed mark of 78 is the best on offer here and suggests there’s more ability in him than his recent finishing positions imply. The form this year has been only fair, but he hasn’t been beaten out of sight and dropping into this sort of race could easily help. Jason Hart is an eye-catching booking for a yard that can pop up in these northern sprints, and 6/1 looks fair if he can travel a bit sweeter over this 6f. Bet type tag: EACH-WAY

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

The Gay Blade is the straightforward win play because he brings the best current profile and looks the safest option in a race lacking depth. For an each-way punt, Tarlac appeals as the value alternative on speed figures and could easily outrun his odds. Taygar is the obvious danger if improving plenty for his comeback run, but he comes with a bit more risk than the front two.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

17:00 – Book Sounds Of Summer Racenight Handicap

Race Details: 1m 7f | Class 5 | Going: 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick) | | flat

This is only a six-runner affair but it is not entirely straightforward, with a few arriving from different angles. Tupero sets the standard on recent form after a solid sequence and is the obvious one to beat if seeing out this longer trip, while Aighear returns from a break after a productive spell last autumn and looks the type to be involved if fit enough. Grey Fable has bits and pieces of form that keep him in the argument, and Elemental Eye is interesting if bouncing back from a modest reappearance. Cascade Hall is on a dangerous mark but needs to show more than he did at the end of last season. It is not a deep Class 5 by any means, but the small field could turn tactical and that makes positioning important.

Top Selections

1. Tupero – 7/4 with Bet365

Jockey: Daniel Tudhope | Trainer: David O’Meara | Form: 6-6124 | Rating: 77 | Topspeed: 70

Tupero is the percentage call. He has been holding his form well, winning before backing that up with placed efforts, and his latest fourth did not read badly in the context of this race. O’Meara’s runner has the services of Daniel Tudhope, which is never a negative in these staying handicaps, and he looks the runner with the fewest questions to answer. The slight issue is stamina at 1m7f, but in a race lacking depth he still makes plenty of appeal off 77. Available at 7/4, he is not exactly a giveaway price, but he does look the most solid option and the one they all have to beat.

Bet: WIN

2. Aighear – 9/2 with Sky Bet

Jockey: Amie Waugh | Trainer: Jim Goldie | Form: 31123- | Rating: 74 | Topspeed: 52

Aighear appeals as the each-way alternative because he ended last season in rude health, stringing together a very likeable run of figures and proving he can be competitive from around this mark. Jim Goldie’s veteran does not have the flashiest Topspeed figure in the line-up, but he is reliable when in the groove and this sort of small-field handicap is well within range if he returns in the same heart. Amie Waugh knows the yard’s runners well, and a draw in stall 1 should help if this turns tactical. At 9/2, he looks the value against a favourite who still has to prove himself fully at the trip.

Bet: EACH-WAY

Betting Strategy

Tupero is the win bet because he brings the strongest recent profile and looks the safest conveyance in a race full of small doubts. Aighear is the each-way play at 9/2, especially with only six runners and a fair chance he hits the first two if returning ready. Grey Fable is the one I would fear most if the principals underperform.

Live Odds Comparison

Tipster Selections

Ayr Course Specialists

Horses To Note

The top course performers among today’s runners:

Jockeys To Note

The pilots with the strongest records at the course:

Trainers To Note

Yards that have done well at Ayr:

Summary & Best Bets

That wraps up our Ayr racing tips for Tuesday 5th May 2026. We’ve covered all 7 races with our top selections highlighted above. Use the betting strategies as a starting point, always shop around for the best odds, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

FAQ

What time does racing start at Ayr today?

The first race at Ayr on Tuesday 5th May 2026 goes off at 14:00, with 7 races scheduled in total.

What is the going at Ayr today?

The going at Ayr is reported as 8.8) (Good to firm, good in places (goingstick).

How many races are at Ayr today?

There are 7 races on the card at Ayr today, running from 14:00 through to 17:00.

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