Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

One Newmarket blip aside it has been a fine season for him, winning big pots in successive weekends in July/August, the International at Ascot (7f, good) and an emphatic one in the Stewards' Cup (6f, good to soft); another solid effort when close up in fourth behind Northern Ticker at the Ebor meeting four weeks ago, making up a lot of ground in the penultimate furlong; this stiffer test should suit and in the thick of it if the ground proves suitable (disappointed in one run on soft but it was a farcical contest).

Rapid strides in the first half of the year, notably when blitzing rivals from a wide stall at Chester's May meeting (6f, good); fine second at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) then he was a big market mover in the Stewards' Cup last month, showing his trademark early pace but weakening out of things in the final furlong; last year's renewal showed making the running wasn't a barrier to success in this race and Kevin Ryan bids for a sixth Ayr Gold Cup win; stiff 6f on slower than good might prove a step too far though.

Listed win in France in April (5.5f, good to soft); ran well in a Group 3 at Deauville (6f, soft) on stable debut in July but he was a well-beaten 40-1 shot off this mark at Newmarket on his British handicap debut last month; slower ground will suit but reservations in a race of this magnitude.

Progressive 2yo, including on soft; improved run by run this year, getting off the mark for the season with a doughty effort at York's Ebor meeting (6f, good to firm); that run promised more and although he's not well in under his 5lb penalty, he looks the type to make up into a Pattern-race performer; easy to see him in the thick of it.

Barnstorming campaign in 2024 ended with a fifth of 25 in the corresponding race off a 1lb lower mark (beaten 4l); slow burner this year but he's closely matched with a few of these on their run at York's Ebor meeting; not so good in the Portland last week and he would be of greater interest on good or quicker ground.