Starry Lodge, who failed to enjoy much luck in running at York earlier this month, has excellent prospects of gaining compensation at Ayr tomorrow.

The three-year-old makes the long journey to Scotland from Luca Cumani's Newmarket yard and will have the added bonus of champion jockey Kieren Fallon in the saddle in the Kilmacolm Handicap.

Winner of both his previous starts this season in the hands of apprentice Nicky Mackay, Starry Lodge and his young rider came unstuck when bidding for a hat-trick on Knavesmire a couple of weeks ago.

Running into a pocket near the rails in the home straight, Starry Lodge found his path blocked just as the race was beginning in earnest and, by the time he had found daylight, he was fighting a lost cause.

The winner, The Persuader had already flown, followed by the eventual runner-up Sir Sidney, and Starry Lodge could only stay on at the same pace to clinch third prize.

Although it's extemely doubtful that Starry Lodge would have won last time, even with a clear run, he would certainly have finished a good deal closer. With Fallon taking over here, he is napped to return to the winning groove.

Millafonic can be another winner for Cumani and Fallon in the EBF Crosshill Classified Stakes.

Comfortable winner of a maiden race at Kempton last month on only his second start, Millafonic looks a progressive performer, capable of better. This event should be a suitable stepping stone for him as he builds his career.

Jim Goldie, who is based near Glasgow, has a good following at Ayr and the in-form trainer, who saddled four winners from four runners last weekend, has good prospects of getting on the scoresheet tomorrow.

King's Ballet, a winner at Haydock last Friday, goes for the Workingwithhorses Handicap over five furlongs and looks capable of making a bold attempt at a double. Tony Culhane takes the mount.

Goldie can also score with Ballyhurry in the Macdonalds Solicitors Handicap over seven furlongs.

A good second at Musselburgh last week, Nicky Mackay's mount would only need to reproduce that form to take all the beating here.

David Nicholls looks to have a useful juvenile in Skyharbor, who created a good impression when winning at Hamilton recently.

A follow-up could well be on the cards in the EBF Ayr Novice Stakes.

At Goodwood, Double Obsession should not be overlooked in the Avtrade Handicap.

Far from disgraced in his two outings this season, Double Obsession is significantly Mark Johnston's chosen runner in this £14,000 event from four entries. Darryll Holland takes the mount here.

Senior Minister deserves respect in the Goodwood Aerodrome Handicap.

The sprinter, now under the care of Peter Hiatt, who does well with rejects from other stables, made an encouraging reappearance at Nottingham a fortnight ago and should now be primed to run a big race.

Tomorrow's Yorkshire action is the evening meeting at Wetherby, where Fair Prospect can live up to his name by winning the Armstrong Massey Intermediate Hurdle.

Winner of his last two races, Paul Nicholl's fast-improving gelding will be hard to beat in his hat-trick bid with Joe Tizzard in the saddle.

The £10,000 Sky Bet Press Red To Bet Handicap Hurdle is the feature race on the card, and it has unfortunately cut up to just four runners.

Pick of the quartet could be Smiths Landing, a consistent performer trained by Sue Smith, who has a fine record on this course.

Also worth noting are Cornish Gale (8.05) and Flame Creek (8.35).

Thursday's tips:

AYR

2.25 Skyharbor, 3.00 King's Ballet, 3.35 Millafonic, 4.10 Ballyhurry, 4.45 Starry Lodge (Nap), 5.20 Millagros.

GOODWOOD

2.05 Downtherefordancin, 2.40 Senior Minister, 3.15 Double Obsession, 3.50 Akshar, 4.25 Fatik, 5.00 All The More, 5.35 Kyle Of Lochalsh.

WETHERBY

6.20 Fair Prospect, 6.55 Mandy's Rose, 7.30 Smiths Landing, 8.05 Cornish Gale, 8.35 Flame Creek, 9.05 Irish Distinction.

HUNTINGDON

6.05 Aston Mara, 6.40 Accepting, 7.10 Master Chief, 7.45 Rose Tina, 8.20 Fullopep, 8.50 Mana-Mou Bay.

- Tomorrow's other meeting is at Newton Abbot.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, May 28, 2003