Horse racing: Trainer lands a third win in Ayr’s big race

Sent off at 16-1, Captain Ramius stormed to the front a furlong out and won by two and a half lengths from 2008 hero Regal Parade (25-1).

Maarek, the 8-1 favourite, was a further length and a quarter away in third.

Smullen was having his first-ever ride at Ayr and said: “It’s a great track and I’m sure I’ll be coming back. Thanks to Kevin for asking me over, we go back a long way in Ireland.”

Ryan, successful last year with Our Jonathan, who was unplaced this time, and also won with Advanced in 2007, said: “I’m delighted. We had four good horses going into the race.

“After the Bunbury Cup I said to Clodagh [McStay, owner] I was going to train him for the Ayr Gold Cup. He’s a tough horse. It’s great for the owners, they’ve let me do what I want with him. And I’m delighted for Pat, who’s come over from Ireland to ride him. We start thinking about this race in January. When it comes off it’s great.”

Paul Mulrennan’s double on Mass Rally and Melody Of Love was tempered by two four-day bans for using his whip above the permitted level.

Mulrennan brought Mass Rally (16-1) to collar Highland Colori on the line to snatch the William Hill Ayr Silver Cup. Highland Colori looked like landing a gamble but the Michael Dods-trained Mass Rally powered home to get up for a short-head success. Dods said: “I’m so pleased for the horse. You just can’t  bustle him along, you have to sit and wait, but he has plenty of ability and Paul gave him a great ride.”

Mulrennan also steered Melody Of Love (7-2) to a cosy length and a half victory in the Laundry Cottage Stud Firth Of Clyde Stakes. “I’m really pleased with that. She is our first runner and  winner in a Group race,” said trainer Ann Duffield. “The way she works at home we thought she would go through the ground.”

The Jim Goldie-trained Jack Dexter justified strong support in the William Hill Bronze Cup as the 5-1 favourite. Goldie said: “He’s by Orientor, one of the best horses we’ve had, and it’s a dream that he might come back and go for the Gold Cup next year.”

The Andrew Balding-trained Opera Gal (8-13) romped to an 11-length victory in the williamhill.com Doonside Cup.

At Hamilton yesterday, Alexandrakollontai, sent off at 20-1, struck in the nursery under Julie Burke for Hawick trainer Alistair Whillans.

“This was just this the second time she’s raced for us since we claimed her at Wolverhampton in August,” Whillans said. “This was a surprise as we nearly withdrew her because of the testing conditions.”

Gregorian saw off Atlantic Sport by three-quarters of a length in the EBF Conditions Stakes. Winning jockey William Buick said: “He has had a busy season and run some really good races. No horse likes ground as soft as it is out there so all credit to him.”

Heroic Endeavour, well backed into 7-1, supplied Jessica Harrington with a first Hamilton winner in the totepool Mobile Text Tote To 89660 Handicap with Robert Winston deputising for sidelined Joe Fanning.

Coolminx and Spinatrix, two horses that ran at Ayr 24 hours earlier, fought out the finish of the totepool EBF Flower of Scotland Fillies Handicap. Coolminx, fifth in Saturday’s Bronze Cup and ridden by Tony Hamilton, got the  verdict by a length and a quarter.

In light of the stormy forecast there is a 7am inspection at the Lanarkshire track to see if today’s card can go ahead.