TOMMY Taylor could head for the Ayr Gold Cup following his narrow success in the Betfred Supports York Against Cancer Garrowby Stakes at York.

Kevin Ryan's charge was up with the pace throughout and dug deep in the hands of Tom Eaves to repel the late challenge of Willie McCreery's Downforce by a nose.

The Hambleton handler took the Ayr Gold Cup for the same owner with stable star Brando last year, and Ryan suggested a similar path may lie ahead for the son of Mizzen Mast.

Ryan said of the 14-1 winner: "He's a horse for the future. He's a smart horse now but he's going to be a very smart horse in time, he's only young and he's learning his trade.

"We've always thought an awful lot of him and we're looking forward to the future.

"He'll run again this year and you might see him in the Ayr Gold Cup."

It was a welcome winner for Ryan after Brando's disappointing effort in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, and jockey Tom Eaves believes this Listed success could be a springboard to better things for Tommy Taylor.

He said: "He's very talented. Two runs back at Newmarket he got a real bump and it just did his confidence a little bit, but he's been doing some nice work at home.

"There's more to come and it's all about next year."

Elsewhere on Press Family Raceday, Elarqam (10-11 favourite) was an eye-catching winner of the Judith Marshall Memorial British EBF Novice Stakes for Mark Johnston.

A Frankel colt out of multiple Group One winner Attraction, Elarqam cost 1.6 million guineas at the sales last autumn but made an instant impact when running out a three-and-three-quarter-length winner.