First Mohican to star for Lady Cecil on Ayr Gold Cup day

The Ayr Gold Cup is the highlight of a good quality card at Ayr on Saturday with 27 going to post for the six-furlong dash. Jim Goldie’s Jack Dexter has been well supported to provide Scotland with their first home-trained winner since 1975 but he faces a stiff task under top weight.

Richard Fahey’s stable continue to churn out the winners and he has high hopes for Baccarat, winner of the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon on his last start. The ground will be softer than when he collared Spinatrix on the Yorkshire course but connections are optimistic that he can handle it.

The Fahey-Hanagan team also have high hopes for Sir Reginald in the Silver Cup after his battling victory at Doncaster last week. The lightly-raced Take Cover has been aimed at this fixture since finishing second at Goodwood last month and could pose a threat under Graham Lee.

Yeeoow and the veteran Harrison George are also worthy of consideration in a wide open race. The draw appeared to favour those drawn middle to high earlier in the week and that could just swing it in favour of Take Cover from stall 22.

Lady Cecil sends First Mohican up from Newmarket for the Doonside Cup and the hint is worth taking. The gelding landed a big gamble at York earlier in the season but has since failed twice in France.

Connections have been waiting for the softer ground and he looks set to provide Tom Queally with a winner. Victory for the chestnut would be a fitting end to a week in which the racing world paid tribute to the late Sir Henry Cecil.

The action gets under way at 1.30 and few will want to oppose easy Doncaster winner Braidley in the Nursery. The handicapper has raised him 10lbs but he could be up to the task. The Firth Of Clyde Stakes has attracted a good quality field including Valonia and Coral Mist.

Henry Candy’s filly finished ahead of Coral Mist at Goodwood but may struggle to confirm the form. Remember You is the one to beat having chased home the highly-regarded Great White Eagle on her last two starts in Ireland.

Selections: 1.30 Braidley (NAP), 2.05 First Mohican, 2.40 Take Cover, 3.15 Coral Mist (nb), 3.50 Baccarat, 4.25 Brae Hill, 5.00 Haaf A Sixpence, 5.35 Wyborne