Goldie’s Nicholas T can bloom with Flower Show victory at Ayr

Nicholas T can win for the fourth time at Ayr when he tackles today’s feature race the Flower Show At Ayr Racecourse In August Handicap.

His last two runs have been over a mile here, but both efforts – a first and a second – suggested a mile and a quarter would be well within his range, so it is no surprise trainer Jim Goldie is now giving him the chance.

First up on the eight-race card is the ayrgoldcup.co.uk Novice Stakes over six furlongs where there are some interesting newcomers in action. These include Richard Fahey’s 260,000 guineas buy Custodian, the mount of Paul Hanagan, and Mark Johnston’s Panist who has PJ Mcdonald in the plate. Others here include the Karl Burke trained Dick Datchery, who finished fourth at the track 15 days ago after missing the break, and Kevin Ryan’s Master Mcgrath.

The Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap at 2.00pm has a maximum field of 17 runners including Kevin Ryan’s Kodicat who was touched off here two weeks ago by Kinch. The five furlong handicap at 2.30pm features Linda Perratt’s Popping Corks, who has been running consistently, and Tim Easterby’s lightly raced three-year-old Dream House.

Burn Some Dust shaped with promise when third at York last month, on his first start since October. Brian Ellison’s four-year-old can reap the benefit of that run by taking the final race, the Western House Hotel Apprentice Handicap.

At Beverley, in-form Maqaadeer looks up to winning the George Kilburn Memorial Handicap. Third over a mile at Newmarket on his comeback, Ed Dunlop’s three-year-old put up a game display when leading all the way over this trip of a mile and a quarter at Nottingham.