Ayr Poet looks hard to beat as Gold Cup Festival kicks off

The opening day of the threeday Ayr Gold Cup Festival – Scotland’s biggest and richest Flat race meeting – takes place behind closed doors this afternoon.

The eight-race card comes under starter’s orders at 2pm with the EBF Novice Stakes over a mile where Mark Johnston introduces the well-bred Annandale, the mount of Richard Kingscote, while the powerful Richard Fahey yard saddle Carter Cowboy with Paul Hanagan riding.

Jim Goldie’s Ayr Po et go es for a three timer in the Luxury Breaks At Western House Hotel Handicap over a mile at 2.30pm. The five year- old won at A yr last month and followed up with another victor y at Hamilton and will be fancied to score again.

The feature race is the Dream Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap for the Kilkerran Cup due off at 3 pm. Nicholas T, as even-time course winner, carries top weight here for Goldie and jockey Ben Robinson, while another Ayr specialist Glasses Up for Mike Smith and Danny Tudhop e is also in the line -up alongside the lightly raced Godolphin runner Dubai Icon, the mount of Kevin Stott. The final race of the day is the Ayrshire Cancer Support Home 4 Cancer Handicap at 5.35pm where former Ebor Handicap winner Nakeeta runs for trainer Iain Jardine and jockey Paul Mulrennan.

Meanwhile, Chapmanshype was a game winner of the featured Great Welfare Auction Handicap Hurdle under Gavin Sheehan at Kelso yesterday.

Trained in Lamb our n by Jamie Snow den, the topweight saw off Weather Front by three-quarters of a length in the £15,000 2m 5f event.

Speaking after his only ride on the first Kelso card of the autumn Sheehan said: “He’s four from four at Fontwell but he’s also won at Ffos Las and now up here. I’d say he’d maybe stay three miles but he certainly is in great form.

“He’s probably still got a bit of improvement to come and he’s certainly tough and game .” Ra cha el McDonald was all smiles after winning on James Ewart-trained 7-1 chance Nikgarde. The combination saw off short-priced favourite Rubytwo by three lengths in the scottish racing academy. scot Novice’ Hurdle. Mcdonald said: “He has improved a lot for his hurdles de but at Hexham. It pretty much went to plan and Kelso has always been a lucky track for me.”

Mcdonald and Ewar t later completed a double with Lake Takapuna.

Calliope continued her excellent run of form when landing the opening division of the Radio Borders Cash For Kids Handicap Hurdle.