Golden boy Dan’s Scot the power

his big handicap success: “It means just as much to be honest.

“I believe it’s 50 years since the last Scottish jockey won it and that means a lot. I’ll take that. It’s a prestigious race.

“This means so much to me. I’m from just down the road having been brought up in Irvine.

“My family come here all the time to watch me racing and it’s my local track really.”

Tudhope had come close in the past and when asked if worried he was running out of time, he said: “Absolutely, it’s not easy to win. I think I was second once and I’d gone close a few times, but this means everything.”

Despite a southern base, the Scot has been an Ayr stalwart since beginning his riding career two decades ago.

Tudhope said: “I never had anything to do with racing growing up. It’s only when I got into racing at 16-17 years old that I started getting to ride.

“Obviously when you get going in your career your family comes here to watch you. I’ve had a few gos at the race over the years.

“I’ve tried so hard to win this race down the years and it’s a hard one to win. Now I’ve finally done it.”

After a minute of silence was observed in memory of the Queen prior to racing, Borders trainer Katie Scott got the home team off to a flier as Gweedore scored at 12/1 under Hawick’s Jason Hart.

She said: “We thought he’d run really well and we thought we had him in good order but we thought the draw might be tricky. But Jason Hart just gave him the perfect ride.”

Jim Goldie enjoyed welcome compensation for Euchan Glen’s defeat when Abduction scored under Paul Mulrennan in the Thistle Cabs Handicap.