FLOSSY is fancied to spring a major surprise by landing the day's most valuable race, the Group 3 Sodexho Prestige Scottish Classic at Ayr.

Chris Thornton's mare has been unsuccessfully toiling away on predominately fast ground over the past few months. But the drought has got to end some time for this useful five-year-old, and thankfully the heavens have opened in the nick of time over the west of Scotland course this weekend, injecting plenty of much-needed juice into the turf.

All of Flossy's (3.45) best form is on a soft surface, consequently she might just have the legs of her five rivals in the £35,000 feature, especially in an event where the market leaders have not always proved up to scratch.

I can't envisage the Barry Hills' representative Plateau (2.15) getting beaten in the opening in the opening EBF Maiden Stakes.

He's not coming all the way up from Lambourn just for a ride in the horsebox. And on pedigree the colt stands out a mile being a beautifully-bred son by Zamindar, out of a decent mare, Painted Desert, herself a winner over six furlongs.

In the following Gary Owen Nursery, the penny finally appears to be dropping for Silver Band (2.45)

Tailed off on his first two starts at York and Beverley, Tim Easterby's raider then responded positively to the application of the blinds at Haydock, staying on stoutly to grab fourth spot in a six furlong claimer.

The Official Handicapper might have cause for considerable embarrassment if Gordons Friend (3.15) obliges in the seven furlong Alloway Stakes.

He's already winner over today's trip at Haydock in June, but has since twice been campaigned over a furlong less. Puzzling tactics by trainer Brian Rothwell, unless he wanted to reduce the risk of an unwanted hike up the ratings.

I'll take stab at the latter theory, which if correct, may mean Gordons Friend hits the target at a decent starting price.

The Pipe/McCoy combination is pretty deadly at Newton Abbot where the in-form pair has a great chance of completing a treble in the first three races via Ashley Muck (2.00), Leading Optimist (2.30), plus Arlas (3.00).

Pick of the trio is track and trip specialist, Ashley Muck (2.00), invariably in the frame these days by virtue of his accurate fencing and superior flat race speed.

Best bet at Windsor's night meeting is You Da Man (6.55), taking a massive drop in class for the lowly Pacific Investments Selling Stakes.