SUMMER LOVING
Star rights old wrong for local ace Tudhope in Ayr Gold Cup romp
Danny Tudhope described Summerghand as a horse of a lifetime after the pair rocketed to glory in the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup.
And trainer David O’Meara said that he was thrilled to pay back an eight-year debt to his big-race jockey after the magical win.
Tudhope became the f irst Scottish jockey to land the big race since Richard Hutchinson struck on Swinging Junior 50 years ago.
The £ 77,000 v ictory meant everything to the 36-year- old in front of family and friends at the track closest to where was brought up in Irvine.
Tudhope had won a Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Summerghand and the veteran provided another magnificent moment for his chuffed pilot.
He said: “David does great with these and he’s been an incredible horse over the years. He’s been a Stewards Cup winner. He’s been a horse of a lifetime really.
“He’s a horse who needs a bit of luck in running and things to go right for him. It panned out well. It opened up nicely for him.
“I think the ground was the key for him. When he gets his ground he goes well so I was very hopeful he’d run a big race.
“He provides us with lovely winners and he’s done it again this year. David does well with these sprinters and keeps them sweet.
“Usually we get slower ground but he thrives on this sort of ground and I had a feeling he’d run a big race as he’s been running well lately. Once you get it right he delivers the goods.”
O’Meara was delighted to provide the ammunition for Tudhope and admitted he felt guilty after his own previous win with Louis the Pious in 2014.
On that occasion, despite a connection between the pair, James Doyle was the jockey on board the winner while the Scot rode the unplaced Watchable.
But this t ime there was no mistake as Summerghand delivered on his fourth crack at the contest.
O’Meara said: “We won this before with Louis The Pious and James rode. Danny missed out and I did feel a bit sorry for him in such a big race on his doorstep. But this was brilliant, it was a great ride by Danny. It’s hard to see as it’s so far away and I had three in there, so to watch all of them was a bit of a challenge.
“But when he gets going he finishes his races very well and these big sprint handicaps really suit him.
“He’s been around a long time and he’s as good as ever. He’s got such a good constitution and he kind of looks after himself, he takes no training.
“He’s an absolute legend. Liam Heard rides him out every day and I never really gallop him. Like a lot of these good sprinters they don’t need an awful lot of work.”
While Tudhope took the main prize, Jack Mitchell was delighted for “gentleman” Dusky Lord after he blitzed to victory in the consolation Virgin Bet Silver Cup.
Roger Varian’s four-year- old was a spectacular winner of the £30,000 prize and the jockey said: “I’m really pleased for the horse because he’s such a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with, on and off the track.
“He’s always had a slight excuse for what’s gone on in the past.
“At Goodwood he got a bit boxed in then the ground was quick enough for him. A bit more juice in the ground just helped him out a bit. That’s the best he’s travelled for me. He felt like a completely different horse and hopefully that’s him on an upward curve.
“The cheekpieces have really helped and just that little bit of cut. Halfway, the stands- side group were about two lengths in front but he picked up really well and put it to bed.”
Mitchell was doubling up after Varian’s Royal Champion was a blistering winner of the Listed Doonside Cup.
Incredibly, Jim Goldie’s Euchen Glen chased home the winner in second seven years to the day since occupying the same spot on debut as a 66/1 shot at this meeting.
Varian and Mitchell completed a magnificent day when the 11/4 jolly Aimeric chinned Heights Of Abraham in the closing Jordan Electrics Ltd Handicap.