Racing: The Oil Magnate fuels fortunes of Dods stable at Ayr

A course-and-distance winner in September, the seven-year-old moved with purpose from the off under Tom Eaves, and was still hard on the bridle three furlongs out.

The 2-1 favourite went effortlessly clear from there and was eased in accounting for Pandorica by three lengths, winning with his ears pricked.

Dods said: “He’s had a lot of problems. After his three-year-old career he missed a lot of time and didn’t race a lot, and then last year we tried to point what his best trip was.

“He ran over two miles, and a mile and a half, but it seems one-mile-five is about where he wants to be.

“We were quite surprised how well he did it. He won here last year and the long straight suits him. He’s done it well so hopefully we can go on from here.

“I might try to get him out quick so I’ll get the programme out and see what there is. We’ll try to get him out again before a week on Saturday, before the handicapper re-assesses him.”

Graham Lee again displayed his talents in the saddle when giving the Jim Goldie-trained Goninodaethat a fine ride to land the Bet On British GP At totepool.com Handicap.

Grand National-winning pilot Lee got the 3-1 chance settled behind Emeralds Spirit before taking over with a quarter-mile to run.

Asserting 100 yards out, he had enough in hand to score by a length and a quarter from Sabratha as the pack closed.

Meanwhile, Bonfire was found to be lame on Sunday morning following his disappointing run in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

Trainer Andrew Balding is going to have the problem checked out, but believes the Dante Stakes winner lost all chance by running too free in the early stages of the mile-and-a-quarter showpiece won by Nathaniel.

“He was lame behind on his off-hind this morning. We are going to have to investigate it tomorrow,” the Kingsclere handler said on Sunday.

“He’s not lame enough to use it as an excuse. He was just too keen in the race and didn’t give himself a chance to run his race.

“We are back to the drawing board a little bit. We will take stock, give him a break, and try to get him sorted out.”

SELECTIONS

Ayr

2.00 Megamunch

2.30 Hazelrigg

3.00 Oddsmaker

3.30 Distant Sun

4.00 Parley

4.30 Uncle Brit

5.00 Mick Slates

Ripon

6.50 Bondesire

7.20 Equity Card

7.50 Honeymead

8.20 Sujet Bellagio

8.50 The Tiger

9.20 Izzet

Windsor

6.10 Valmina

6.40 King Dragon

7.10 Viscount Vert

7.40 Proximity

8.10 Haadeeth

8.40 Dynastic