AEOLUS has a heck of a lot in his favour when he chases glory in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.

The Newmarket challenger has not won for a good while but, make no mistake, he is unquestionably a major player in the big race in Scotland.

Trained by the capable Ed Walker, the five-year-old gelding will be having his first start in a handicap since April 2014.

That in itself is significant as Aeolus should, in theory at least, have a little less on his plate than in races like the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

He is also a Group Three scorer, having pocketed the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last June.

The son of Araafa has since turned in a clutch of really promising efforts in good company, most recently finishing a fine fourth behind The Tin Man in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

That performance probably deserves to be upgraded a little as the pace in Berkshire was way too quick for the soft-ground-loving Aeolus.

That is perhaps the key factor behind anticipating a huge run in the Gold Cup as there is a strong chance there will be a bit of tenderness in the Ayr turf.

With claimer jockey Hector Crouch taking off 5lb, expectations in the Walker camp are unsurprisingly great for today's nap selection.

BLETCHLEY is the highest-rated horse in the Group Three William Hill Firth of Clyde Stakes and she ought to make no mistake for the in-form Ralph Beckett and Qatar Racing.

Runner-up in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, the young daughter of Makfi hardly threw in a stinker when she was beaten three lengths by Roly Poly in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

Bletchley was a little too keen for her own good that day, while the ground was possibly too brisk for her – which will not be the case at Ayr.

It would be a shock if she regressed in what potentially looks her easiest assignment since winning on debut at Nottingham.

Things have not gone COTAI GLORY'S this year but all that could change in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.

Charlie Hills' sprinter is not far off top class on his day but he was a bit overwhelmed at the Curragh last weekend.

Yet before that, nothing was finishing quicker than Cotai Glory in the Nunthorpe, so he is clearly in decent nick. George Baker has the ride.

Royal runner DARTMOUTH probably did a bit better in the King George than many had thought at the time and is the clear pick in the Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes under Ryan Moore.

This is distinct drop in class for Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old colt, who stayed on without ever seriously challenging for third spot in the midsummer highlight at Ascot.

PENGLAI PAVILION is an interesting horse in the Betfred Cesarewitch Trial Stakes at Newmarket.

The three-times hurdles winner enjoyed himself over a mile and a half at Haydock last time but this exacting stamina test will be much more his bag.