Drama at Ayr’s Flat finale as Dalgleish snatches trainers title

The Flat season at Ayr Racecourse ended dramatically yesterday when Carlukebased trainer Keith Dalgleish snatched the Trainers Championship at the track from Jim Goldie after landing a double. had gone into the afternoon with a lead over Keith of three points but a win in the opening race for Beltane, ridden by Callum Rodriguez, and then victory in the last race with One Night In Milan for jockey Billy Garritty clinched the title for Keith whose wasn’t in attendance but was represented by his brother Kevin.

Jockey Paul Mulrennan was top jockey for the season but wasn’t riding yesterday as he is serving a suspension while Johnnie Delta Racing were top owners for 2021.

The feature race the Virgin Bet Handicap over six furlongs was won by Cold Stare for trainer David O’meara and jockey Danny Tudhope who came from off the pace to win by a cosy length and three quarters from Big Les. Danny had also ridden Dr T J Eckleburgtowinthevirginbetfives handicap over 1m 2f.

There was a third course win of the season in the mile handicap for the Iain Jardine trained Andrew Mullen ridjim den Havana Go who edged home a short head in front of Vocatus.

Meanwhile, the unbeaten Inspiral goes in the bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket today and it is difficult to look beyond the daughter of Frankel out of high-class mare Starscope.

John and Thady Gosden's youngster has so far lived up to her regal breeding with three dominant victories.

Maiden success on the July Course was followed by an emphatic Listed verdict in Sandown's Star Stakes, form which has been well advertised by the subsequent toplevel triumph of the runnerup Wild Beauty in Canada.

Inspiral was then sent to Doncaster for the Group Two May Hill Stakes and once again treated her rivals with contempt - displaying an electric turn of foot in the final furlong on Town Moor to win with any amount in hand.

She is not certain to be as effective on the slower ground she will encounter on the Rowley Mile, of course, but encouragementcanbetakenfromthe fact Starscope performed well to finish second in both the 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes on an easy surface.

The brilliant Frankel has also produced several top-class performers who have proved their worth in the mud.

A few of Inspiral's rivals still have untapped potential, but it will be a surprise if she does not make it four from four.