NORTH Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby has snapped up the services of Tony McCoy for Run Ructions Run at Ayr today as the legendary jockey makes his penultimate appearance on a Scottish racecourse before he retires.

McCoy, who will hang up his boots after riding at Sandown next Saturday, will also be riding at Ayr tomorrow when his mounts include Benvolio in the Scottish Grand National.

Run Ructions Run lines up in the £20,000 coral.co.uk Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Although she has top weight to shoulder, she will find this a less demanding task than she faced in top handicap company at last month’s Cheltenham Festival when she finished unplaced.

Previously a good second at Haydock and third at Musselburgh, Run Ructions Run, who has proved a model of consistency during her career, can oblige for McCoy, who is assured of a warm Scottish welcome if he enters the Ayr winners’ enclosure.

Norton trainer Brian Ellison has every chance of enjoying a useful afternoon. He has good prospects with Vodka Wells, Racing Europe and Five In A Row.

Vodka Wells, the mount of Aidan Coleman in the TS Handicap Hurdle, has finished runner-up on his last two starts at Ludlow and Carlisle. He is selected to make it third time lucky.

Racing Europe, a Catterick winner on New Year’s Day, has run three decent races since in defeat, including when beaten in a photo-finish at Kelso last time. He deserves another winning turn in the Abbott Risk Consulting Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Five In A Row, who runs in the Seko Logistics Scotland Handicap Hurdle, will relish every yard of the extended three miles and is fancied to go well for Ellison in the concluding event.

Malcolm Jefferson, one of Ellison’s neighbours, can also make his mark. He can score with Firth Of The Clyde (3.05), who will find this easier than when contesting a hot race at Cheltenham last month, and Pair Of Jacks (3.35), who is gradually getting his act together over fences and can make it third time lucky over the major obstacles.

At Newbury, Graham Lee, among the winners at Ripon yesterday, has good prospects of winning the £25,000 Dubai Duty Free Handicap on nap selection Steps for Roger Varian.

Although not a horse with a prolific winning record, Steps is a very able sprinter over the minimum distance.

This limited handicap, confined to an 11lb weight-range, suits Steps, who is fancied to defy top weight.

Frankie Dettori, who had a lucrative Newmarket meeting, can finish off his week in similar style. He rides Star Of Seville in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Conditions Stakes.

Trained by John Gosden, this twice-raced colt looks a useful prospect for this season.

Paul Hanagan has good prospects of winning the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap on Mujassam for Roger Varian.

Confined to three outings last year as a juvenile, Mujassam won the last of them and looks the type to progress further as a three-year-old.

Also worth noting are Ring Of Truth (2.20), an attractively-bred newcomer for Richard Hannon in the juvenile maiden, and Forever Popular (5.30), who likewise appeals on pedigree for William Haggas in the second leg of the three-year-old maiden.

Ayr today
25 A Vos Gardes, 2.00 Vodka Wells, 2.30 Racing Europe, 3.05 Firth Of The Clyde, 3.35 Pair Of Jacks, 4.10 Run Ructions Run, 4.45 Five In A Row.

Newbury today
1.50 Yet Again, 2.20 Ring Of Truth, 2.50 Star Of Seville, 3.25 Mujassam, 3.55 Steps (NAP), 4.30 Privileged, 5.00 Gimme Five, 5.30 Forever Popular.

Today’s other meetings
Bath, Fontwell and Southwell.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Ayr, Bangor, Newbury, Nottingham and Thirsk.