EVANESCENT, a fluent winner at Ayr last month before failing to justify favouritism at Pontefract, returns to the west of Scotland venue from North Yorkshire this afternoon with strong claims of capturing the feature race.

Trained at Norton by John Quinn, who has a couple of runners in Saturday’s featured Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket, Evanescent’s latest success was achieved in a race he had also won 12 months ago.

Back then, he went on to win at Pontefract, but on this occasion, he came up short in the corresponding event when finishing a five lengths second to Sunraider.

That effort requires marking up because Evanescent met trouble in running at a crucial stage and was unable to recover sufficiently after the winner had stolen a march on him entering the final furlong.

It was six furlongs last time out and the step back up to seven at Ayr will suit him better in the £12,000 Tennent’s Lager Handicap. Ian Brennan, who knows him well, has the mount.

David O’Meara has two runners in the Britvic Soft Drinks Nursery Handicap and both have good chances.

Westhoughton has been knocking on the door for some time, but has yet to get his head in front. Preference is for stablemate Classic Flyer, successful at Newcastle two starts ago and an unlucky-looking third at Musselburgh last time when dropped back to five furlongs.

The return to today’s longer trip should suit and Classic Flyer can produce another winner for his Nawton trainer.

In the Coca-Cola Handicap, Incomparable could take some catching in the hands of Matthew Hopkins.

The anticipated soft ground should pose no problems for Scott Dixon’s hardy stayer who finished second at Leicester last time, beaten only a length and a half by Only Ten Per Cent.

Malton jockey Paddy Mathers, who has enjoyed a tidy season, can add to his scoresheet aboard Red Forever, who is napped to lift the Guinness Handicap over five furlongs.

A creditable third at Chester on his most recent start six weeks ago, Alan Berry’s sprinter was a winner at Redcar in July.

The underfoot conditions should not be a problem for Red Forever, who has a fairly consistent profile and who hails from a stable which sent out a 33-1 winner at Catterick on Tuesday.

Danny Tudhope can make his journey to Scotland worthwhile by winning the Caledonia Best Handicap on Secret City.

Robin Bastiman’s eight-year-old won here last week and may not be troubled to defy a 6lb penalty over the same distance.

Graham Lee boasts double prospects aboard a couple of Jim Goldie-trained runners.

Lee rides promising juvenile Sir Chauvelin (2.10), runner-up here and at Newcastle on his last two starts, and also Jumbo Steps (3.10), twice a winner in Ireland and a good second at Musselburgh last month.

Over the sticks at Exeter, Alan King may be celebrating success.

The Barbury Castle trainer can win the opening Bathwick Tyres Plymouth Handicap Hurdle with Shadarpour. Only a five-year-old, Shadarpour won at Towcester in May and is open to further improvement. Provided this comeback outing is not needed in terms of fitness, Shadarpour should make a bold bid.

Prettyasapicture can be another winner for King in the Bathwick Tyres Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

In the frame in all her four starts, Prettyasapicture looks to be steadily progressive and was second at Plumpton just under three weeks ago.

The £10,000 Great Point Media Investments Handicap Chase is the feature race at Exeter and According To Sarah may prove the answer on behalf of Philip Hobbs.

Tough and consistent, the six-year-old seems to have benefited from switching to fences and, on only her second start over the major obstacles, won nicely at Worcester last month. She has been raised 5lb for that success and may have more to bring to the chasing table.

Selections

Ayr today
2.10 Sir Chauvelin, 2.40 Classic Flyer, 3.10 Jumbo Steps, 3.40 Incomparable, 4.10 Red Forever (NAP), 4.40 Harrison’s Cave, 5.10 Evanescent, 5.40 Secret City.

Exeter today
2.20 Shardarpour, 2.50 Yabadabadoo, 3.20 According To Sarah, 3.50 Many Stars, 4.20 Landau, 4.50 Prettyasapicture.

Today’s other meetings: Worcester and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings: York, Carlisle, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton.