IAN Duncan made the short trip from his Coylton stables to Ayr Racecourse a winning one last Tuesday when landing the feature race with a horse making his debut for the yard.

No No Mac, a 7-1 chance, had been prominent throughout the two mile four furlong Scobie’s Of Ayr Handicap Chase but was outpaced turning for home and looked beaten.

However jockey Derek Fox galvanised his mount to lead again at the last and win by three and a half lengths from Master Ruffit.

The delighted trainer said afterwards: “We got the horse from trainer Charlie Longsdon on the recommendation of jockey Graham Watters who is now based with that yard and although he normally wears blinkers I left them off today and it did the trick. I train only five miles from the course so it’s great to have a winner at my local track.”

Another local trainer doing well at the moment is Mike Smith who trains near Galston and he followed his two wins at the last meeting with a victory in the two mile handicap chase for Las Tunas winner of three hurdle races in France before crossing the channel.

Sent off at 9-2, the five year-old was given a confident ride by Richie McLernon and went clear two out to win by two lengths from Casual Cavalier.

Mike said : “My horses are running well now after a quiet spell. Las Tunas has taken time to come right but has done it well today and I plan to bring him back here for the meeting on February 27.”

Plus Jamais is a course specialist at Ayr and recorded his fourth win at the track in the three-mile handicap hurdle at odds of 9-4 favourite for Dumfriesshire based trainer Iain Jardine and jockey Brian Hughes.

The highest priced winner of the day came in the opening two mile four furlongs conditional jockeys hurdle when Vasco D’Ycy won at 18-1 for trainer Julia Brooke and jockey Ross Turner.

Ayr’s next meeting is on Monday February 27 when there is a healthy £57,000 of prize-money on offer.

The feature race is a two mile four furlong novices’ limited handicap chase which should attract some good horses.

The first race is due off at 2.10pm with gates open at 12.10pm.