Top race to launch jumps season at Ayr Racecourse

Ayr Racecourse launches its 2011-2012 Jumps Season on Tuesday 29 November with the St. Andrews Raceday featuring a seven race card.

The highlight of the afternoon is the Best Odds Guaranteed At Victor Chandler.com Handicap Chase with a prize fund of £15,500.


This race, due off at 1.35pm, will attract some top handicap chasers in pursuit of an outstanding prize for a midweek raceday. Trainers likely to have runners here include Lucinda Russell, Nicky Richards, Jim Goldie and Donald McCain.

Other highlights include the Bet Live At Victorchandler.Com Novices Chase at 1.35pm and the final race of the afternoon, The European Breeders’ Fund “Junior Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at 3.40pm.

Gates open at 11.00am and the first race is due off at 12.30pm.

Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are Founder Members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk

Provost Winifred Sloan and Jai McDowall switch on Ayr festive lights

Thousands of people filled Ayr High Street on Sunday 20 November to see South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan switch on the festive lights in Ayr town centre.


[South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan and Jai McDowall are pictured switching on the festive lights in Ayr High Street as the crowds look on.]

Provost Sloan was joined by South Ayrshire’s very own Jai McDowall, a local singer who won Britain’s Got Talent. Also entertaining the crowds were Jill Jackson, a singer songwriter from Paisley, described in the Nashville press as the Scottish Songbird, who brought her own unique style to the contemporary country scene, Non Jove – a Bon Jovi tribute band, the Gospel Truth Choir and DJ Colin McCardle from WestFM.

Provost Sloan said: “This was an outstanding event, the atmosphere was electric and everyone had lots of fun.

“Jai McDowall was outstanding and the crowds really enjoyed his performance. I know that it was a very emotional experience for Jai, as this is the first time he has been home and performed to his home crowd.

“Thanks to the outstanding talents of all the entertainers everyone had a great time and many people took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and see the town centre lit up.”