Richard Fahey column: Ayr Gold Cup Festival runners

Friday

14:03 Lovely Spirit

I thought she won an ordinary-enough race at Musselburgh the other day but the handicapper left her on 73 which I thought was kind. She tries very hard which is always an asset in any race but this looks a warmer contest than the last one.

14:33 Bonnie’s Boy

He’s been second on all three starts and progressed with each run, he’s just met a couple of good ones along the way. 80 seems a fair enough opening mark to him and I’d like to see him run very well. He deserves to get his head in front.

15:05 Uncle Don

The poor horse was coughing for a while after his win at Beverley but we’ve had a clear run with of late and he’s very fit and very well. He goes in deep here, it looks a strong renewal of the race, but the form of that win has worked out really with Big Mojo, who was second, winning the Molecomb and finishing second in the Flying Childers and Managing Director in third winning a nursery at Thirsk.

Look he needs to improve and be right on his A-game to be involved in the finish but I think there’s more to come.

15:40 Marine Wave

She wasn't at her best at York last time when the ground was riding soft but I was delighted with her previous win in this grade at Pontefract. She has a penalty as a result which doesn't make life easy but the going should suit at Ayr and I hope she runs her race.

16:45 Leveret

She’s been a struggle to train with a few little niggly problems along the way. They weren’t anything major and her best piece of work was her latest one which is always encouraging.

I’m stepping her up to a mile which I think will suit and she wears a visor for the first time which might also help.

17:20 Southern Voyage

He is what he is but I thought the run at Southwell last time was solid. He has to prove he stays a mile and five on Friday but he gets a mile-and-a-half well so there's every chance.

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