ALBEN STAR, one of six Richard Fahey-trained runners in today’s Ayr Gold Cup, can lift the William Hill-sponsored showpiece after a series of near-misses in similar major handicaps this season.

Tough and admirably consistent, Alben Star won a valuable all-weather sprint at Lingfield on Good Friday and has since run mighty races at Royal Ascot, the Curragh and at Glorious Goodwood, not to mention his latest Newmarket effort when he finished second to Tropics in Pattern race company.

He will be ridden by Jack Garritty, whose 5lb claim will aid Alben Star’s cause as he aims to land this £160,000 event and overcome a low draw, which, judged on the first two days of action on the course, looks to be a disadvantage.

Fahey has other chances in this prestigious event, notably the smart Eastern Impact and Rene Mathis, in a race in which North Yorkshire trainers field no fewer than 16 of the 28 runners.

Kevin Ryan, who has won the race three times, saddles four runners, including recent York winner Blaine and the classy Hamza, while David O’Meara runs three, including recent Curragh winner Watchable, last year’s runner-up Louis The Pious and the progressive Highland Acclaim, the last horse to make the cut.

Alben Star is fancied to come out on top, but it’s going to be tough with such a hugely competitive line-up.

The £50,000 William Hill Ayr Silver Cup, confined to horses which failed to make the cut in the main event, is a similar head-scratcher for punters.

Roger Charlton may hold the key with Huntsmans Close, who has been running consistently well in strong handicaps and who is drawn near the stands side. James Doyle rides.

The William Hill Firth of Clyde Stakes, which has Group 3 status, looks wide-open, but the Irish raider Ainippe, winner of two of her three races, looks to have as good a chance as any and a better one than most.

Also worth noting are Gabrial (3.15), who is bidding for Listed glory, and the Brian Ellison-trained duo Top Of The Glas (4.25), a Chester winner last time, and Buthelezi (5.35), who carries the nap vote to make up for his latest narrow defeat.

Adrian Nicholls, twice a winning rider in the Ayr Gold Cup, can compensate himself at his absence from this year’s race by winning the first three races on the card at Catterick.

Nicholls teams up with Mark Johnston and has rock-solid chances on the experienced Midlander (2.10), the useful Flash Fire (2.45) and recent Chester winner Mambo Rhythm (3.20).

Robert Winston is another jockey to follow. The York-based rider has strong claims on the promising Kiss Of Spring (3.55), trained by David O’Meara and Running Reef (6.10), trained by Tracy Waggott and a runaway winner at Musselburgh earlier this week.

He looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty over a course and distance where he has scored in the past.
 

Selections

Ayr today

1.30 Gabrial The Viking, 2.05 Ainippe, 2.40 Huntsmans Close, 3.15 Gabrial, 3.50 Alben Star, 4.25 Top Of The Glas, 5.00 Khelman, 5.35 Buthelezi (NAP).

Catterick today

2.10 Midlander, 2.45 Flash Fire, 3.20 Mambo Rhythm, 3.55 Kiss Of Spring, 4.30 Zeus Magic, 5.05 Midnight Warrior, 5.40 Day Of The Eagle, 6.10 Running Reef.

Today’s other meetings: Newbury, Newmarket and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Hamilton, Plumpton and Uttoexer.