FAASEL, unbeaten in two starts, turns out again at soggy Ayr tomorrow in a bid to complete a hat-trick of wins and also to gain vital racecourse experience ahead of a possible big-race assignment at Cheltenham next month.

Nicky Richards' charge, formerly a useful handicapper on the Flat with Kevin Prendergast in Ireland, has the option of tackling the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, and if he is to make an impression there, he will need to score again tomorrow providing the Scottish track recovers from heavy rain.

Today's meeting was abandoned because of on overnight downpour and an inspection was scheduled for later this afternoon to see if tomorrow's card can go ahead.

If it does, Faasel, who has won both his starts in the style of a smart recruit, should oblige again in the West Sound Managing Directors Novices' Hurdle - and set up a lucrative afternoon for jockey Tony Dobbin.

The Cumbrian pilot has excellent prospects of completing a four-timer on a course where he has such a fine record and a loyal following.

The promising Jolika, trained by Len Lungo, looks sure to give Dobbin a good ride in the John Smith's Novices' Handicap Chase, while stablemate Four Melons has similarly solid claims in the World Famous West Sound Maiden Hurdle, a race which will take little winning.

Dobbin takes the mount on Sergio Coimbra in the West Sound National Hunt Flat Race and, although this six-year-old has yet to race, he has been pleasing trainer Richards in his home-work. He is napped to make a winning bow.

Richard Guest has his horses in excellent form and the County Durham handler has double-prospects with recent winner Red Perk (2-50) and the consistent Time To Reflect (3-20).

At Exeter, the star attraction promises to be Marcel, who runs in the £20,000 totesport Novices' Hurdle.

Martin Pipe's gelding currently heads the market for next month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and contests this Listed affair instead of today's Totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury.

A prolific winner, he is as tough as he is talented and it will be a suprise if he fails to register his tenth success from his last 11 starts. Timmy Murphy has the mount.

Pipe can also take the toteplacepot Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle with the lightly-weighted Robbie On Tour, while his arch-rival Paul Nicholls can also make an impact on the card.

Nicholls has good prospects with Oracle Des Mottes in the totepool Handicap Hurdle.

Christian Williams' mount scored handsomely at Wincanton two outings ago and ran well in defeat when narrowly beaten by Kimbambo at Kelso. He can get back on the winning trail.

The totesport Intermediate National Hunt Flat Race offers little in terms of clues, but a chance should be taken on Celtic Jem, one of the newcomers in the field.

Trainer Peter Bowen has gone on record as saying that Celtic Jem is a pretty talented horse, who has been working in good style at home. A winning debut could well be on the cards, with Richard Johnson in the saddle.

Tomorrow's tips:

Ayr

1-50 Faasel, 2-20 Jolika, 2-50 Red Perk, 3-20 Time To Reflect, 3-50 Four Melons, 4-20 Sikander A Azam, 4-50 Sergio Coimbra (NAP)

Exeter

1-40 Robbie On Tour, 2-10 Brave Spirit, 2-40 Marcel, 3-10 Sleep Bal, 3-40 Il Duce, 4-10 Oracle Des Mottes, 4-40 Celtic Jem

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Hereford.

Updated: 10:38 Saturday, February 12, 2005