13:15 Ayr

Leg 1 Selections: Koy Koy, Revich, Redarna 

KOY KOY has taken his form to a new level in his last two starts, finishing second at Chester to Safe Voyage prior to comfortably going one better at Wolverhampton last-time-out on his all-weather debut. He was only mid-field in this race last year but wasn’t beaten far after a bad start and could turn the form around with a few of these now his slow starts have seemingly been ironed out. 

The likeable REVICH, however, won this two years ago and was third in it last year off this exact mark. He should again be thereabouts with Hollie Doyle in the saddle, while multiple-time course winner REDARNA won easily at Carlisle last-time-out and is 4Ib lower than when fourth in this last year despite pulling hard. He can also be included, so it’s a trio of selections in the opener. 

13:50 Ayr

Leg 2 Selections: Helvic Dream, Pride Of America 

The Noel Meade-trained HELVIC DREAM is a former Group 1 winner over this distance and while he’s not matched that height since, he wasn’t beaten far in a Group 3 last time when third. He has the class to run a major race and wouldn’t have travelled over here just for the day out either. Good chance. 

He should get a good pace to aim at with Amy Murphy’s battle-hardened PRIDE OF AMERICA in the field, who’s likely to adopt his customary front-running tactics and he used that attribute to produce a gutsy performance to claim the John Smith’s Cup. He is worth his place in the field and is top-rated for a reason.

14:25 Ayr

Leg 3 Selections: Gulliver, Aplomb 

GULLIVER has contested the last four renewals of the Ayr Gold Cup but this time has his attention turned to the consolation race from a much lower mark. He absolutely scooted clear to win easily on the all-weather last time under Ben Curtis who is retained here. With everything aligned perfectly, the nine-year-old has a serious chance. 

APLOMB would have won his last two starts with a clear passage, hitting the frame in each of those, and is 8Ib lower than when sixth in this last year when carrying a lot more weight. He has in-the-frame possibilities at the very least from this mark and is Jane Chapple Hyam’s only runner on the card. He has the class to go close. 

15:00 Ayr

Leg 4 Selections: Dorothy Lawrence 

The most appealing candidate in this race is Karl Burke’s DOROTHY LAWRENCE, the highest-rated runner in the field, who came within a whisker of winning a Group 3 last time. She’s run well in both starts over this distance and won her only previous start at this course. 

It’ll be interesting to see if she will attempt to try and dictate from the front or just sit off the pace behind another potential pacesetter. Unless she underperforms, I just cannot see her out of the frame at the very least and has every chance of gaining compensation. 

15:35 Ayr

Leg 5 Selections: Fast Response, Albasheer, Ramazan

FAST RESPONSE has proven herself at a higher level, who is a Listed winner and has finished second three times this year in that same grade against good horses including last time at Chester. Back in a handicap, with her rider taking off an additional 7Ib, she’s surely a major contender and appeals most. 

Archie Watson’s ALBASHEER dead-heated at York two starts back and Hollie Doyle is back in the saddle. He should be on the premises, while Richard Fahey’s RAMAZAN is only 3Ib higher than he won at Chepstow last time and should give a solid account of himself whilst in good form at present. 

16:10 Ayr

Leg 6 Selections: Making Dreams, City Burglar 

Trainer Richard Fahey has a good record in this race but might have to settle for minor honours this time. MAKING DREAMS has won three of her eight starts this year and produced a career-best when winning at Thirsk two weeks ago. 

She has a bigger task on her hands here, up six pounds, but should go well. Meanwhile Andrew Balding’s CITY BURGLAR has shown good enough form after three starts to be worthy of inclusion on handicap debut with more to offer.