Crack hurdler Dato Star, soon to go novice chasing, can register a belated first win on the Flat at Ayr tomorrow.

Malcolm Jefferson's versatile and talented gelding goes for the Murray International Handicap and a bold show is likely to book him a place in the valuable November Handicap at Doncaster, thus delaying his eagerly-awaited debut over fences.

Dato Star, injured in the Champion Hurdle last March, recovered to run on the level in the Chester Cup in May, but was pulled up and was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.

Given a lengthy break after that setback, the seven-year-old has seemed none the worse this autumn and his latest performance, over this course and distance last month, gave notice that his winning turn is near at hand.

Dato Star finished third to Raise A Prince, beaten just under two lengths by a rival, who has since scored again at Ascot.

Sure to have benefited from that outing, Dato Star is fancied to elevate himself to the number one position tomorrow. Darryll Holland has the mount.

Jefferson's Norton neighbour, James Hetherton can also figure among the winners at Ayr with Swynford Pleasure in the Murray Ventures Nursery Handicap.

This lightly-raced juvenile has finished second in two of her three starts this season.

Having chased home easy winner Three Green Leaves (winner of a big race in Ireland on Saturday) at Newcastle last month, Swynford Pleasure returned to Gosforth Park a fortnight ago and ran a good race to be beaten just under two lengths by Dispol Rock.

She did not help her chances that day by hanging badly to her left, and she will need to be on her best behaviour if she is to lift this quite competitive nursery. John Lowe again has the mount.

Pat Eddery travels to Ayr with a whole host of fancied mounts, and should not return home empty-handed.

The 11-times champion jockey can score on the promising Claxon (2.20) and Censor (3.20).

Jimmy Fortune, who notched his first century of winners when completing a double at York on Saturday, can capture another brace on Vicious Circle (4.20) and Gadge (4.50).

Nearer to home, the jumpers take centre stage at Sedgefield, where Fullopep can complete a hat-trick of wins in the AKV Cladding Fabrication Novices Hurdle.

Trained by Mary Reveley, who has an outstanding record on this course, Fullopep gained a convincing victory over this course and distance a fortnight ago and is a young hurdler with a bright future.

Wudimp has a golden opportunity to win the Butterwick Handicap Chase after a fine effort at Kelso last time.

The nine-year-old finished a two-length second to Ask Me Later over an extended three-miles. An out and out stayer, Wudimp will relish tomorrow's extra two furlongs and is awarded the nap vote.

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